Intel i7 and AMD X6 encoding comparision

[xlazom00]

Hello
I am going to make video encoder server and I can't decide for right processor.

Anybody can compare video x264 encoding on i7 and X6 processor.
I think first pass and second pass on both processors ( 1 thread )
pure power with same x264 settings
I would like to see which frequency get same fps on both processors.

[Atak_Snajpera]

i7 (4-cores) at the same clock is still slightly faster than x6.

[xlazom00]

Originally Posted by Atak_Snajpera

i7 (4-cores) at the same clock is still slightly faster than x6.

Can you provide some results ?

[Dark Shikari]

[xlazom00]

I saw this picture.
But I would prefer some results from you guys (x264 team or some x264 devs).
I don't really think that that guys from anandtech.com know something about x264 and how many threads they used.
It's looks like 6 threads on X6 and 8 on i7. maybe cores+1.

I prefer pure power per one thread ( what AMD and Intel bake to processors).

[Atak_Snajpera]

It's looks like 6 threads on X6 and 8 on i7. maybe cores+1.

x264 by default uses cores * 1.5 formula.

[prOnorama]

This is the brand new Intel Core i7-875K (basically a i7 870 with unlocked multiplier) vs.the AMD Phenom II X6 1090T Black Edition.

http://www.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=24850&page=6

Apparently they overclocked it to 4,135 Mhz, as far as I can see they didn't test the Phenom X6 overclocked.

[Episodio1]

Would Core i7 be taking advantage with their 8 virtua cores (HyperThreading on) ?

[ajp_anton]

Originally Posted by Episodio1

Would Core i7 be taking advantage with their 8 virtua cores (HyperThreading on) ?

*looks at picture above*
i7 920: 26.7fps
i5 750: 21fps

[xlazom00]

Originally Posted by Episodio1

Would Core i7 be taking advantage with their 8 virtua cores (HyperThreading on) ?

Answer is yes and no

From my experience You don't get linear speed up with every core you have.
Let's say
1 thread 60fps
2 threads 120 fps
it's working only with some configuration of x264

But if you want good output quality(pic/size) you never get linear speed up of x264

That is problem with all the benchmarks we see here
In most cases some of cores in your CPU just do nothing.
That is reason why I want to see benchmark of x264 1 thread on AMD X6 and INTEL i7

[bnshrdr]

In my opinion unless you are going with super super high end processors (like the Intel Extreme one's), most of the ones listed in the benchmarks are fairly close in comparison. From those tests, most of the decent processors vary in speed from about 5-10%, and each has their own strength.

I recently got the AMD Phenom X6 1055T and have not looked back since. With no overclock (2.8 GHz) at full load and stock fan it only heats up to around 40 degrees (Celsius). So I will no doubt overclock it at least some soon enough.

To me, it wouldn't have been worth it to buy those Intel processors plus a motherboard. I found a bundle (cpu/mobo) for $200, where the comparable Intel equivalent was either double or more. To me buying those slightly better Intel processors would have only produced diminishing returns.

[CpT]

Originally Posted by xlazom00

I want to see benchmark of x264 1 thread on AMD X6 and INTEL i7

That's actually a really good idea. But I've yet to find any sites that actually do it.
If you find a site or someone that's done single threaded tests plz post a link.

Originally Posted by bnshrdr

To me buying those slightly better Intel processors would have only produced diminishing returns.

The kicker is most of the I7 1366 socket chips hit 3.8ghz + very very easily, even on a stock cooler. Once you hit those speeds everything changes.

[woah!]

ok heres a 1055T thuban at 3.9ghz 1 threaded and then with 6 cores:

i used a newer x264.exe as it uses all my cpu power at 100% on the first pass, whereas the one in the pack seems to cap at 50% which is bs...

Results for x264.exe r1342
--------------------------

1 thread
encoded 1442 frames, 35.84 fps, 3902.49 kb/s

x6 threads
encoded 1442 frames, 128.72 fps, 3906.74 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 133.95 fps, 3906.74 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 133.56 fps, 3906.74 kb/s

1 thread
encoded 1442 frames, 6.42 fps, 3967.80 kb/s

x6 threads
encoded 1442 frames, 36.90 fps, 3959.99 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 37.09 fps, 3959.18 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 37.17 fps, 3959.98 kb/s

Originally Posted by CpT

The kicker is most of the I7 1366 socket chips hit 3.8ghz + very very easily, even on a stock cooler. Once you hit those speeds everything changes.

The kicker is the x6's hit 4GHz on a stock cooler (confirmed also with 3 builds now) ...

So the overclock isn't a feature solely in Intels favor ...

Tek

[CpT]

Which version of x264 did you use?

I'll run the benchmark as well on a 980x using the same x264 version.
Currently the chip is at 4.2Ghz, I'll drop the clocks to 3.9 and run a single thread bench.

Originally Posted by 7ekno

The kicker is the x6's hit 4GHz on a stock cooler (confirmed also with 3 builds now) ...
So the overclock isn't a feature solely in Intels favor ...
Tek

That's good to know.

[woah!]

i used this one, but the x86 version as i am on xp still

http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.ph...28#post1405128

[CpT]

1 thread first pass:
56.21

1 thread 2nd pass:
10.08

Frankly I was expecting a lot more fps out of this chip... Especially considering the price...

That's on an intel 980x @ 3.9 with hyperthreading disabled using the 32bit version you linked.

When I have the time tomorrow I'll let it run and finish all 4 tests. Pretty tired and semi depressed atm...

[woah!]

i wouldnt be that depressed, thats still 50% faster than my x6. with 6 cores you will push 50+ fps.

i will say tho that i could run 3 rigs with 1055T's in them for the same price as that monster you have heh...

[xlazom00]

I want to add my results
What video do you have and settings do you use ?

[Episodio1]

There's an interesting x264 benchmarks where everybody can post their results: http://forums.techarp.com/reviews-ar...ark-3-0-a.html

They use rev. 1342

Current results: http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.a...tno=520&pgno=7 (there's no AMD X6)