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To transcode and encode videos, what processor is fine to use?

shawnalex

shawnalex

shawnalex

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Joined
10 Feb 2013
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I'm thinking of buying a desktop PC mainly so that I can encode and transcode videos (obviously for work too :p) but what I am not so sure is that will transcoding and encoding videos (less than 1GB) be minimised to 1-3 hours if using an i5 or i7 processor? I have an intel dual core processor and when I transcode and encode videos, it takes me over 4 hours! I'm interested in the 3rd generation processors and not interested in the i3 or AMD processors. Thanks in advance.
 
My 3570k @ 4.6Ghz encodes about 8gb(8-10 hours) of high quality video for dvds (720p) in around an hour. Using a program that utilizes near all of your cpu makes a difference. There are programs that only use single threads like convertXtoDVD. I use TMPGENC and that works great with multi-threaded chips. An i7 Would be even quicker but I'm more than happy with my i5.
 
It depends on how much you're willing to spend.

3570/3770K overclocked will both fly as will FX8350 albeit it's more difficult to cool, a 3930K will blow the lot of them away but you have to pay a premium.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. So what you guys are saying is that if I were to buy a desktop with an i5 processor, I can still transcode and encode videos near enough as quick as an i7 processor as well as save more than a £100? If so that's great! But my brain is telling me to get the i7 because of it's power even though I wouldn't utilize it as other people would for other things :p.
 
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i7 > FX-83** > i5 is what I would say in terms of transcoding/encoding speed, since this sort of work enjoys many cores. But it depends on how much you're willing to spend.
 
Depends on the software you intend to use. Quicksync and Cuda enabled convertors are usually way faster than a standard CPU.
 
Orcvader said:
i7 > FX-83** > i5 is what I would say in terms of transcoding/encoding speed, since this sort of work enjoys many cores. But it depends on how much you're willing to spend.
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Yep, and the AMD CPUs also support both FMA3 and FMA4 on top of AVX. IB only has AVX support ATM and Haswell will bring FMA3 support too.

Also,if you are on a budget,the FX6300 does a decent job for video encoding and can keep up with Core i5 CPUs:

http://uk.hardware.info/reviews/331...nchmarks-cpu-720p-mpeg-to-x264-video-encoding

http://www.guru3d.com/articles_pages/amd_fx_8350_8320_6300_processor_4300_performance_review,5.html

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...615-amd-vishera-fx-6300-fx-4300-review-7.html

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...615-amd-vishera-fx-6300-fx-4300-review-9.html

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6396/the-vishera-review-amd-fx8350-fx8320-fx6300-and-fx4300-tested/3
 
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Thanks for the replies guys. To make things more simple, my budget for a desktop is around less than £600/£500. You can get i7 processors with my budget but REALLY I want an inexpensive desktop with a good enough processor that can transcode/encode videos quickly. (Don't want to build my own PC). If you guys can show me any good inexpensive desktops with 3rd generation intel processors, i'd be very grateful. I'm not being lazy I too am trying to find one that is to my liking. Thanks in advance.

Also, can you guys name me a few good programs that will let me convert MKV to MPEG/MP4? (I'll look at the ones mentioned above).
 
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I would probably go for that i5 PC. Looking on OcUK there doesn't seem to be any cheap FX 6/8 systems that fits in OP's budget. Maybe you should consider building it yourself...

But really OP you should stop favouring Intel as AMD offers better performance for the price for multithreaded apps.
 
The other approach you can take is to queue several jobs and leave the computer running overnight. You get the files the next day, but you don't need a particularly quick computer.
 
Yes in my posts I do come across as favouring intel only because I've only ever had intel systems and do not know much about AMD. I also get told by friends and family that AMD is to be avoided whilst others say AMD is cheaper as well as just as good as intel. People also say that intel is just a big name and are expensive. You guys would know more than me about Intel and AMD so if there are any AMD processors similar to the i5 or i7, i'll consider them (yes I know it has been mentioned in the above posts).

TBH, I don't know much about transcoding and encoding. I just have MKV files that contain subtitles that require transcoding, changed to a suitable format (MPEG) and so that it can be streamed or transfered to my PS3. The software I use is MKV2VOB. I lack experience and knowledge so I use this.

Update:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showpr...d=2385&subcat=

With an OS it costs around £500. Motherboard is an H61 one though which lacks SATA3.0 and I suspect there will be only two RAM slots too,which limits memory upgrades.
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Had a look at this and I actually like it. I chose the operating system for Windows 8 Pro so total price is £464 (still in my budget). I'm not interested in overclocking, changing or adding components. I just simply want a desktop that will last me a good few years. But I want a fairly good processor, more than 4GB RAM and a HDD more than or equal to 500GB. I also have windows 7 Ultimate on disc but I'd rather have a PC with an OS in case I do something wrong installing my OS onto desktop with no OS. I say this now, please suggest some good desktops with AMD processors, you guys would know more than me. Thanks all the help you guys are giving me, I really appreciate it. I'm glad that I joined such a friendly website with such nice people :D
 
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No competitor links allowed, so you better edit out those links.

MKV2VOB is what I use as well to stream to my PS3, and that works fine. If it works for you then just keep using it.

The Dell one seems to be better with the higher clock speed and better GPU.
 
I'm probably the best person to ask regarding video encoding.

I've tested first, second and third gen i5s and i7s along with various AMDs.

The absolute best bang for buck is the i5. No question! Overclocked there is no difference between that and the i7 on the same clock speed. Once you go over 4GHz Hyper Threading makes little to zero gains.

Say clear of Cuda, good software encoding yields better results
 
glen8 said:
Overclocked there is no difference between that and the i7 on the same clock speed.
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Cache?

glen8 said:
Once you go over 4GHz Hyper Threading makes little to zero gains.
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I'm surprised by this. The improvement due to HT should scale linearly with frequency. Do you mean everything is "quick enough" above 4GHz, or that hyperthreading makes a bigger difference at lower frequencies than it does at higher?
 
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