Athlon64 X2 encoding performance [Archive]

Doom9

9th May 2005, 15:47

I've been waiting all that time for a 2.6 GHz Athlon64 4200+, now there won't be one so I'm torn between waiting for the X2 or getting the Venice core 3800+. Best thing would be to have two identical PCs though, one with a single core and one with a corresponding dual core so that in the next codec comparison, I can compare single to dual core.

Angelus

9th May 2005, 17:48

Extremetech had similar results with the new AMD processor, here's a link to their review of it too:

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1813763,00.asp

they seem amazed by it as well. It seems like my next computer build is going to have to be AMD :D

b00zed

10th May 2005, 06:36

In the words of Keanu Reeves, "woah."

I was a bit up in the air as to whether my next media PC would be a P4 or an A64... and now it's settled. The deficit traditionally suffered by AMD's CPUs in audio and video has completely evaporated, the P4 can't touch it at all in most other tasks, and according to THG the X2's power consumption at full load is lower than any current *idling* P4, which is very attractive. Those multitasking tests look very promising too. The only shame is that we have to wait until the second half of the year for these things to show up in volume.

looks like it will soon be time to finally say goodbye to my faithful Athlon XP 2000+ I think :D

Doom9

10th May 2005, 09:42

The deficit traditionally suffered by AMD's CPUs in audio and video has completely evaporatedWas there ever one? XviD has been consistently faster on the AMD platform than on Intel. DivX is the other way around.. considering how much money Intel invests to get people to optimize software for their CPUs, that's not a surprise.. generally unless a video software is heavily optimized for the Intel platform, running it on a comparable AMD chip should give comparable results, and depending on the implementation, the AMD should even be faster.

It is to be noted that starting with the Venice core AMD also supports SSE3 so it can take advantage of the "Intel optimizations" unlike previous cores. Hopefully, not too many software will check the CPU type but just query the CPU's capabilities and activate/deactivate optimizations accordingly.

b00zed

10th May 2005, 10:16

I had a feeling I'd get pulled up for that. Unfortunately XviD does not represent all there is to audio and video production.

Sirber

10th May 2005, 12:49

Originally posted by b00zed
looks like it will soon be time to finally say goodbye to my faithful Athlon XP 2000+ I think :D
You could build a linux server from it :)

Sharktooth

26th May 2005, 17:24

http://www.techreport.com/reviews/2005q2/pentiumd-820/index.x

Watch how pentium 4s single and dual cores get pulverized...

Doom9

21st June 2005, 22:02

Finally they've shown in in the PC store where I shop. Supposed to be available this week even.. even with some delay, just in time to replace my NForce3 barebone with an NForce4 one and an X2.. the old box will make a nice birthday present for my dad and his reorganized home office (currently the big almost-full-tower) looks really ugly and doesn't go well with the 26" flatscreen TV/PC monitor.

BangoO

26th June 2005, 16:09

Hi there,

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but I need to be sure before spending my $$$ :)

I read that Windows Media Encoder 9 is multithreaded.
I am encoding stuff in WM9, but with VDubMod.
I read that, though VDubMod is multithreaded, its encoding part is not...
So... should I buy an X2 cpu, and will I experience the same improvement as in the benchmarks which use Windows Media Encoder 9 ?

Thx ! ;)

PS: I currently have a P4C running at 3.15Ghz...

tsp

26th June 2005, 16:27

yes you will. It only depends on the encoder.

BangoO

26th June 2005, 17:06

Thx for the fast answer tsp, now I know what my next cpu will be :D

Doom9

29th June 2005, 21:58

This post is made from a dual core machine... X2 4600 :)

Bootsy

30th June 2005, 16:27

Hope we will see some benchmarks soon. I'm tempted to buy one myself but I want the larger cache that the 4400 and 4800 offers.

BangoO

30th June 2005, 21:44

This post is made from a dual core machine... X2 4600 :)
Nice !
Are you happy with it ? ;)

Doom9

1st July 2005, 16:43

Are you happy with it ?I haven't gotten around to transferring all the files so I haven't really tested anything.. for now I just know that my wallet is very unhappy. The NForce 4 based XPC is a bit quieter than the NForce3 based one though, so I'm happy about that.. I'm also happy that I didn't need to put in a floppy to set up Windows.. the last intel machine I got required a floppy (a real one, usb didn't help) to get the ICHR6 driver even though I just had a single regular SATA disk. I may get around to racing the two CPUs (A64 3500+ versus the new one), to see how much an additional 200 Mhz and an additional core will fare.

Doom9

1st July 2005, 23:02

I've finally switched the two machines.. too bad my stereo can only handle 5.1, not 7.1. I've had one blue screen while transferring dozens of GBs of raw DVD data I use for testing purposes.. and some other weird stuff.. now using this full time will show how good the whole thing really is (Barebones, while great from a visual and space perspective tend to be a lot less unforgiving when it comes to stability, and I packed a lot of high end stuff into this box.. my last one had to undergo an MB and RAM change to run stable). Anyway, I'm now about to install AviSynth, get my D2Vs working again and start a quick encoding test.

Doom9

1st July 2005, 23:49

Alright, here's the first report from my X2 4600. x264 revision 270, cli version.

3598 frame PAL DVD source, scaled to 640x352. Settings used: ABR, rdo turned on, 6, 3 ref frames, 2 b-frames, adaptive b-frames and pyramid order turned on, as well as weighted prediction and adaptive dct and 8x8 i-blocks (so high profile).

Naturally, I've used MeGUI 0.2.0.4 for all the tests as it displays FPS and lenght accurately (I'll have to improve upon the FPS as right now it shows the last FPS value received.. I'll make it the average in the next version).

Athlon 64 X2 4600 (2 cores @ 2.4 GHz, 512KB cache each)

1 threads: 6m29s = 9.24 fps, relative speed: 112.23%
2 threads: 4m06s = 14.62, fps relative speed: 177.64%, relative speed gain over 1 thread: 58.22%

Athlon 64 3500+ (1 core @ 2.2 GHz, 512 KB cache, Manchester core)

1 threads: 7m17 = 8.23 fps, relative speed 100%
2 threads: same as with 1 thread.

So, in terms of the PR rating and just looking at x264 performance does the processor deserve its rating? If we consider that most applications are not parallelized to make use of dual core CPUs, then I'd have to say no. Is the money still well spent? I guess that depends on how frequently you're multitasking and which applications you're using.

In my case, using 1 thread my overall CPU load is 51% (x264.exe running in idle mode), so there's plenty of room to do even I/O intensive stuff. The CPU load was consistently above 80% using 2 threads on the dual core CPU. Except for MeGUI running x264.exe, I also had a browser, windows explorer and winamp running (with winamp playing an mp3 online radio @ 128kbit/s)

On a sidenote for those not familiar with AMD's ratings.. the 2.4 GHz single core chip with 512KB cache has a 3800+ rating.

Blue_MiSfit

2nd July 2005, 03:24

as the script kiddies say... w00t 4nd r0x0r :) I need to get a dual core, but last december I spent a bunch getting a socket 754 board and a 2800 (big mistake)... So I wont be upgrading for at least a year now...

hindsight is always 20/20 :mad:

tonygib

2nd July 2005, 04:53

Out of interest Doom, I assume thats all using 32 bit code, ie both the OS and the encoder/codec?

Doom9

2nd July 2005, 10:31

hindsight is always 20/20A year is a long time in the computer world. I got my last box about a year ago and I do not recall even having heard of dual core chips then. But I knew the socket 939 was more futureproof so I spent the extra cash.. basically I could've just upgraded my SN95, but I also wanted PCI Express, 7.1 HD audio, the additional USB ports and lower noise of the SN25P.

And all that is using the regular 32 bit version of Windows. There is not even a 64 bit version of x264 as far as I can recall. I guess I could go hunting for drivers and if everything is available, give the 64 bit version a shot.

tomos

2nd July 2005, 12:22

any idea of encoding speed for divx6 @ 1080 res using telecide and decimate? thats the reason i'm getting one of these puppies :) my 2500+ sadly isn't up to the job :(

Doom9

2nd July 2005, 13:16

Only DivX Helium contains SMP optimizations ;)

And we Euros don't even have 1080 sources to work with (well, extremely few and I'd need to get a PCI-E DVB-S card to capture something since the SN25P is PCI-E only (not that I'd want it any other way.. I wished DVD burner makers would release more SATA drives so I could disable IDE entirely and use only the SATA-II ports)).

I've been studying the Anandtech benchmarks and made a startling discovery: the dual core tests, the FX-57 tests.. they don't all use the same media encoding benchmarks or use the same sources.. that is extremely deplorable as only using the exact same scenario really allows you to properly compare CPUs.

sandman1687

2nd July 2005, 18:15

doom, are you happy with the SN25P? I've heard mixed reviews, and was thinking about getting one for my next system.

BoNz1

2nd July 2005, 19:52

And all that is using the regular 32 bit version of Windows. There is not even a 64 bit version of x264 as far as I can recall. I guess I could go hunting for drivers and if everything is available, give the 64 bit version a shot.

Hi, there is a 64bit version of x264. However, I think it is only useable with linux due to the same issues as the xvid 64bit port. Although, I would be very interested in seeing how fast it is using 64bit code and multithreading :p.

Leo 69

2nd July 2005, 20:55

@ Doom9

Have you tried overclocking your X2 ? I'm just curious how far it can go... I'm sure it may work absolutely steadily at 5000+ (and even beyond) without increasing the Vcore. Wouldn't it be nice? :)

tomos

2nd July 2005, 20:58

i think you can get the core's on a 4400 to 2.6-8 on air fairly easily. not sure about the 4600+

Revgen

2nd July 2005, 21:09

I'm going to buy a 4800+ when and if MSI finally releases a BIOS update for my board. I wonder if the 1mb of cache on the 4800+ makes a difference or not. I think it will when it comes to encoding.

Doom9

2nd July 2005, 21:51

I have my doubts about the cache size.. so I saved the money and got for the smaller cache size.. cache sometimes helps but often it has no effect. I haven't tried overclocking.. it may reach 2.6 GHz easily but I've had 3 crashes so far (blue screen moving files over, freezes when burning DVDs), and until I'm convinced that the system is 100% rock stable I wouldn't even dream changing anything to non standard settings.

As far as the barebone goes, I consider it an improvement over the SN95, but we're definitely not there yet noise-wise.. I hope we'll get to a Dell 8400 level eventually.

tomos

2nd July 2005, 22:12

I'm going to buy a 4800+ when and if MSI finally releases a BIOS update for my board. I wonder if the 1mb of cache on the 4800+ makes a difference or not. I think it will when it comes to encoding.

there was one iirc - at least for the neo4 platinum. here (http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/bios/bos/spt_bos_detail.php?UID=637&kind=1)

Update CPU ID for DualCore DT 2.2G & 2.4G

Doom9

2nd July 2005, 22:46

bah, that PC will go back to the shop.. 3rd freeze today, and the machine was under no particular stress.. not unlike when I got the last barebone, but there the problems ocurred more frequently. Either it's those high speed RAM modules that I also used last time (and that after making me wait for 4 weeks they replaced along with the MB), or the MBs are really prone to error :(

mrbass

3rd July 2005, 00:05

download ultimate boot cd (it's free)
run memtest of course
and a couple of CPU stress testers
cpu-burn in (http://mrbass.org/ubcd/01mainboardtools1of2/02cpuburnin.png)
lucifer (http://mrbass.org/ubcd/01mainboardtools1of2/01lucifer.png)
Mersenne Prime Test (http://mrbass.org/ubcd/01mainboardtools1of2/03mersenneprimetest.png)

Doom9

3rd July 2005, 02:11

I'm afraid I'll have to reconnect audio and use my "old" PC again tomorrow to run some tests.. not that I'd really have to.. I paid 100 bucks to have my PC assembled just so that in the error case I can throw it back in their face.. but it's always good knowing what's going on. Though the last time I ran memtest for hours upon hours, and switched out every component but the mainboard and CPU.. it was those last two parts. Since they changed RAM and MB last time and I have the exact same effects.. it might just be the MB yet again.. and my confidence in barebones is dropping again :(

Joe Fenton

3rd July 2005, 02:41

There is not even a 64 bit version of x264 as far as I can recall. I guess I could go hunting for drivers and if everything is available, give the 64 bit version a shot.

I don't know about Windows, but I'm running 64bit x264 in 64bit linux. That threads optimization was awesome! I've got a dual opteron 240 system, so running on one CPU isn't too terribly fast compared to newer AMD64 systems. Getting to use that second 240 really helps cut the encode time considerably... or I can use parameters that make the encoding slower but better looking without losing as much speed.

sandman1687

3rd July 2005, 04:04

@doom9
i went onto shuttles website (i was looking to buy the SN25P), but nowhere did it mention support for dual cores, nor did it have any bios updates. either it already handles it, or poorly tries to. now that i've researched it and all, the lack of a PCI slot (wtf am i going to put into the PCIE 1x slot), compounded with your experiences with your system, which has very close specs to one i was going to put together, im holding off on the SN25P, or at least going to look into other SFF brands. thanks for your Dual Core stories.
-sandman1687

Doom9

3rd July 2005, 12:32

(wtf am i going to put into the PCIE 1x slot),I liked it for that.. get rid of the old thing as fast as possible. I haven't used serial, parallel and floppy in ages (first thing I do when I get a new system is go into the BIOS and deactivate that crap). I'm looking forward to dumping IDE as well and move on.

As far as BIOS support, I think you missed this: http://global.shuttle.com/ADVNews/NewsDetail.asp?CTID={A69AC49F-B90C-445E-A412-560BA5F2A03D}

The problems I'm having have nothing to do with dual core.. they're exactly the same I've had with the last barebone, which used the same kind of RAM. Last time they asked about my RAM timing.. (I built it myself them), this time they should've taken are of that. If it's RAM again I'll go back to regular stuff and forget about the high speed Kingston modules.

Doom9

3rd July 2005, 13:25

well, I guess normally red is a bad sign, but memtest just came up with a load of red lines, so that's it.. faulty memory (again). And I figured the 100 bucks for assembly included a stress test which would've certainly prevented me from getting faulty components yet again.

@markrb: thanks for the tip on that CD.. it is extremely useful.

Revgen

3rd July 2005, 16:28

there was one iirc - at least for the neo4 platinum. here (http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/bios/bos/spt_bos_detail.php?UID=637&kind=1)

I have the K8N Neo2 Platinum.

I still appreciate the help. Thanks. :)

tomos

3rd July 2005, 17:02

ah sorry about that.

how do you find MSI boards anyway? never tried them before

Revgen

3rd July 2005, 22:52

ah sorry about that.

how do you find MSI boards anyway? never tried them before

If you live in the USA you can get them here.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Browse&Manufactory=1312&Subcategory=22

xyretp

4th July 2005, 00:35

I recently had the opportunity to benchmark a mathematical analysis using both the IBM(dual-p4 w/4G) & Sun (dual-opteron w4G) memory. Both workstations were running XP/SP2. The app

The SUN XP (AMD opteron version) ran the benchmark 110% faster. This seems to be in line with other floating-point intensive results (16 v 34 hrs)

Joe Fenton

4th July 2005, 01:37

I got an MSI Master2-FAR dual-opteron mobo from NewEgg last year. That's my main system. I got mine with really cheap memory. I wound up having to raise the memory voltage a little (2.65V) to get it to work right. You might give that a try, Doom9. It's better than backing off the timing.

Other than the memory issue, I've had no complaints about the MSI board. It uses the VIA K8T800 chipset.

Rash

5th July 2005, 03:10

Doom9, what's your chipset?

Doom9

5th July 2005, 07:49

nForce4. Don't bother with suggestions though.. the PC is back at the shop.. I paid them to assemble and test it so it's their problem. If they haven't set up the RAM properly (it's not cheap, it's high end, Kingston HyperX) it's up to them to fix it. My trusty old 3500 works just fine until I get the other one back.

puffpio

5th July 2005, 19:09

In the Anandtech tests..the kernel compilation was the fastest while doing 3 jobs even though it's a dual processor..I was wondering if you could try your encoding test again but w/ 3 threads going on and see what kind of speed you get

Doom9

5th July 2005, 20:14

but w/ 3 threads going on and see what kind of speed you getNot while the PC is at the shop obviously ;) Hopefully I'll have it back by the week-end.

ReTox

6th July 2005, 01:54

There are going to be tonnes of wares coming out for dual-core. I'm heavy in the IT sector and most server apps already have a dual-core version either available or on the drawing board. As always it won't take long for the desktop user to see X2 apps.

Can't wait to see Dual-core 64 bit apps on a 64 bit OS, should smoke pretty good!