Test Systems And Benchmarks
We chose a number of CPUs, from sub-$100 dual-core models to Intel's top-of-the-line Core i7. We benchmarked these CPUs with and without the WinFast PxVC1100 card in order to collect enough data for a thorough price/performance evaluation. We wanted to be able to conclusively prove whether or not the WinFast card is worth the asking price. We'd also like to see if the SpursEngine-equipped card requires a certain level of CPU prowess to perform at its best.
Note that we chose to benchmark the system with a GeForce GTX 260 graphics card installed. This is because we had originally hoped to compare the GeForce's CUDA abilities to the CPU and PxVC1100. Unfortunately, we learned that the CUDA enhancements in TMPGEnc. 4.0 Xpress are limited to video filters and cannot simply be employed to accelerate format-to-format video transcoding. Because if this, we left CUDA filter acceleration out of our testing as we're interested in focusing on hardware transcoding value.
As mentioned earlier, we couldn't get the WinFast card to work with our ASRock X58-based motherboard. On the bright side, the Core i7-920 CPU we're using represents the top-tier CPU, and still makes for a good comparison to show us if it will provide good value compared to a cheaper CPU paired with the SpursEngine.
| AMD Test System | Intel Test System A | Intel Test System B | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Athlon II X2 250 | Intel Core i5-750 2.66 GHz | Intel Core i7-920 2.66 GHz | |||
| Motherboard | Asus M4A785TD-M EVO | Gigabyte P55-UD4P LGA-1156 | ASRock X58 SuperComputer | |||
| Memory | Mushkin PC3-10700 | 2 x A-Data 2.0GB DDR3-1333 Kit | Kingston PC3-10700 | |||
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 260 | |||||
| Hard Drive | Western Digital Caviar Black 640GB | |||||
| Power | ePower EP-1200P10-T2 | |||||
| Software and Drivers | ||||||
| Operating System | Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit | Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit 6.0.6001, SP1 | ||||
| DirectX version | DirectX 11 | |||||
| Graphics Drivers | ForceWare 195.62 | |||||
| Encoding Software | TMPGEnc. 4.0 Xpress Version 4.7.3.292 | |||||
| SpursEngine Driver | 1.5.2.5 | |||||
| Benchmark Configuration | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard Encoding | MPEG 4 AVC, 720x480 Resolution, 23.976 FPS | |
| HD Upscale Encoding | MPEG 4 AVC, 1920x1080 Resolution, 29.97 FPS | |
I think for someone who does use their PC for encoding on a regular basis, this would certainly be a welcome addition, but otherwise, forget it.
I think for someone who does use their PC for video encoding on a regular basis, this would certainly be a welcome addition (the price is reasonable), but otherwise, forget it.
These miscellaneous type of articles is what brightens up my day. Good to know that there aren't many products that launch and slip between the cracks of processor/graphics wars. Great job, nice article!
how does this compare to using ATI AVIVO to encode, with a $200 dollar card?
Any info on future software support for this card? This card would be extremely useful if plug-ins for other video editor could be made.
Considering AMD has all but abandoned AVIVOm, the better question to ask is how this compares to CUDA. From what I've seen there aren't any problems with the output file. $200 is a bit much but at least it comes with the software. For those that have the $$$ to spare and do the encoding work, this is a big time saver. You could get the 620, mobo, and the card for probably about the same price as the 920 and a good Mobo. The difference is this setup will encode faster, and you can use the computer to do other things while encoding. I don't remember 100% for sure about it, but I think it will use less power as well.
Want.
hmmm get the feeling this will go the way of the dedicated physx (only) cards...
what we need is a more GENERALISED co-processor card/device for this type of workload and many other uses, Intel's Larrabee had a good *idea* going - easily programmable, multi-purpose etc
I was rather thinking that this hardware could be useful in portable media players where it is designed to consume less power and allow playback of all video formats out there.
Moreover, this could also be useful in HD video cameras that are either stand-alone HD video cams or fitted into mobile phones (such as the Samsung Omnia HD) or digital snapshot cameras.
I'm also thinking about its capabilities to be used in Live video applications that is streamed over the internet, either professional or teleconference applications such as SkypeHD.
compare to CUDA/UVD2 assisted encoding please. that's what matters.
Nice lil piece of hardware!!
Encoders Happy B'Day!!
We need charts with encoding on all types of video card's AMD or Nvidia. Then how they preform against this stand alone device.
looks pretty amazing
compare this to CUDA....
I have an ATI 5750 and the AVIVO can't even transcode AVCHD to MPEG2. I find this card very useful (as an videographer, not a gamer). The key is will this card be compatible with Nonlinear Editing software like Sony Vegas Video or Edius Neo 2?
It would be nice to see "objective" quality comparisons. I know that CUDA H264 encoding has been shown to be not even close to the quality of, say, an x264 encode well done. The question of whether or not this encoder is good enough in great part depends on whether it the quality really is good or not. This type of result can be seen "objectively" using a tool like MSU Video Quality Measurement tool.
So if I constantly rip DVD's into 2gb Avi files will this board be a good option for me? I currently use a Athlon II X4 620 and a combonation of dvddecrypter and AutoGK or if those dont work(depending on encryption) I will use DVDFab(always works). And from what I read if I buy the board does that mean I wont be able to use the current software if I want to get the benefit of the board?
compare to CUDA/UVD2 assisted encoding please. that's what matters.
I wanted to, but we can't! Please read page 4:
"Note that we chose to benchmark the system with a GeForce GTX 260 graphics card installed. This is because we had originally hoped to compare the GeForce's CUDA abilities to the CPU and PxVC1100. Unfortunately, we learned that the CUDA enhancements in TMPGEnc. 4.0 Xpress are limited to video filters and cannot simply be employed to accelerate format-to-format video transcoding. Because if this, we left CUDA filter acceleration out of our testing as we're interested in focusing on hardware transcoding value."