CUDA-Enabled Apps: Measuring Mainstream GPU Performance

Conclusion

What’s the take-away? Generally speaking, if you’ve got a piece of software that takes decent advantage of CUDA, you’ll realize a strong degree of performance scaling by stepping up in the number of stream processors. There are some mysterious exceptions, as we saw with Super LoiLoScope, but the norm looks more like Badaboom. In situations like the 9600 GT vs. 9800 GTX, where only $20 separates double the number of stream processors, you’d need to get your head checked if you took the lower-end option.

There’s no question that CUDA delivers, even near the bottom of the price band. It would be interesting to circle back and see if similar results spring from Nvidia’s mobile GPU products (or even the recently-released Ion platform), but I suspect this would be so.

AMD now has a grave challenge at its feet. With the next batch of ATI Stream drivers due out soon, can the red team deliver similar or better GPGPU improvements across all price groups? We know that the emphasis in its upcoming release is on improving the image quality of its transcoder software rather than scaling performance. At the same time, we also know that the company is planning on showcasing its own batch of third-party partners who've taken advantage of its architecture.

One thing is certain: this performance exploration is merely the tip of an iceberg. Within the next couple of weeks, you can expect a follow-up with numbers from the other team. We can't wait to see how this plays out. And regardless of which hardware architecture is faster, it's clear that enthusiasts (mainstream and hardcore) are going to be the biggest winners here.

  • SpadeM
    The 8800GS or with the new name 9600GSO goes for 60$ and delivers 96 stream processors. Would it be correct to assume that it would perform betwen the 9600 GT and 9800 GTX you reviewed?

    Other then that great article, been waiting for it since we got a sneak preview from Chris last week.
    Reply
  • curnel_D
    And I'll never take Nvidia marketing seriously until they either stop singing about CUDA being the holy grail of computing, or this changes: "Aside from Folding@home and SETI@home, every single application on Nvidia’s consumer CUDA list involves video editing and/or transcoding."
    Reply
  • As more software will use CUDA, we will not only see a great boost in performance for e.g. video performance, but for parallel programing in general. This sky rocket this business into a new age!
    Reply
  • curnel_D
    l0bd0nAs more software will use CUDA, we will not only see a great boost in performance for e.g. video performance, but for parallel programing in general. This sky rocket this business into a new age!Honestly, I dont think a proprietary language will do this. If anything, it's likely to be GPGPU's in general, run by Open Computing Language.(OpenCL)
    Reply
  • one-shot
    Are we both thinking about the same "Pirates 2"? Or am I missing something...
    Reply
  • IzzyCraft
    Who knows it's just a clip he used he could be naming it anything for the hell of it.

    CUDA transcoding is very nice to someone that does H.264 transcoding at a high profile and lacks a 300+ dollar cpu who would spend hours transcoding a dvd on high profile settings.

    Else from that CUDA acceleration has just been more of a feature nothing like a main event. Although can easly be the main attraction to someone that does a good flow of H.264 trasncoding/encoding.

    Encoding/transcoding in h.264 high profile can easily make someone who is very content with their cpu and it's power become sad very quickly when they see the est time for their 30 min clip or something.
    Reply
  • I'm using CoreAVC since support was added for CUDA h264 decoding. I kinda feel stupid for buying a high end CPU (at the time) since playing all videos, no matter the resolution or bit-rate, leaves the CPU at near-idle usage.
    Vid card: 8600GTS
    CPU: E6700
    Reply
  • IzzyCraft
    Well you lucked in considering not all of the geforce 8 series supports H.264 decoding etc.
    Reply
  • ohim
    they should remove Adobe CS4 suite from there since Cuda transcoding is only posible with nvidia CX videocards not with normal gaming cards wich supports cuda.
    Reply
  • adbat
    CUDA means Miracle in my language :-) I it will do those
    The sad thing is that ATI does not truly compete in CUDA department and there is not standard for it.
    Reply