Optimum Hardware to encode video with H.264 codec

[wirelesspedia]

Any suggestions what is the best processor to use to encode videos with H.264 codec? What is optimum configuration for the computer?

[UncasMS]

a quadcore is definitely way better than dual or single but which x4 is a matter of what you are willing to spend or which hardware will have to be replaced/upgraded

you can get a good impression with X264 HD Benchmark since many users have posted their results in this forum thread where you can compare different machines and their throughput

be careful to take a close look at the CORE speed not the stock when you compare results

here are mine btw:

x264 HD BENCHMARK RESULTS 
Please copy/paste everything below the line into the forum post to report your data 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
Results for x264.exe v0.58.747 
encoded 1442 frames, 75.65 fps, 3905.42 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 77.62 fps, 3905.42 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 78.08 fps, 3905.42 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 77.49 fps, 3905.42 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 19.36 fps, 3952.85 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 19.32 fps, 3952.85 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 19.33 fps, 3952.85 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 19.27 fps, 3952.85 kb/s
 
Results for x264.exe v0.59.819M 
encoded 1442 frames, 79.01 fps, 3891.55 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 79.29 fps, 3889.35 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 79.49 fps, 3886.53 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 79.28 fps, 3887.33 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 20.73 fps, 3963.43 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 20.74 fps, 3962.79 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 20.74 fps, 3963.17 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 20.71 fps, 3963.58 kb/s
 
 
System Details 
-------------- 
Name			AMD Phenom
Codename		Deneb
Specification		AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 945 Processor
Core Stepping		
Technology		45 nm
Stock frequency		3000 MHz
[COLOR="Red"]Core Speed		3525.2 MHz (15.0 x 235.0 MHz)[/COLOR]
FID range		5.0x - 15.0x
 
Northbridge		AMD 780G rev. 00
Southbridge		ATI SB700 rev. 00
 
CAS#			5.0
RAS# to CAS#		5
RAS# Precharge		5
Cycle Time (tRAS)	15
Command Rate		2T
Memory Frequency	470.0 MHz (1:2)
Memory Type		DDR2
Memory Size		3328 MBytes
Channels		Dual (Unganged)
 
Windows Version		Microsoft Windows XP Professional  Service Pack 2 (Build 2600) 
 
max VID			1.300 V
Voltage sensor 0	1.38 Volts [0x56] (CPU VCORE)
Number of processors	1
Number of threads	4
Number of threads	4 (max 4)
L2 cache		4 x 512 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Instructions sets	MMX (+), 3DNow! (+), SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSE4A, x86-64
Package			Socket AM2+ (940)
Package Type		0x1
 
Temperature sensor 0	31°C (87°F) [0x1F] (TMPIN0)
Temperature sensor 1	55°C (130°F) [0x37] (TMPIN1)
Temperature sensor 2	55°C (130°F) [0x37] (TMPIN2)
Temperature sensor 0	54°C (129°F) [0x1B0] (core #0)
Temperature sensor 1	54°C (129°F) [0x1B0] (core #1)
Temperature sensor 2	55°C (130°F) [0x1B4] (core #2)
Temperature sensor 3	55°C (130°F) [0x1B4] (core #3)

[MilesAhead]

I just glanced through about 1/2 dozen of those benchmark reports but the short answer seems to be Intel i7. Looks like it kicks some serious ass.

[UncasMS]

only if you are willing to spend the amount of money such cpus, mb and ram will cost you

that's why i asked for a price range

[MilesAhead]

My machine only got about 2/3 your throughput. 54s and 14s roughly. Still, it's just an HP off the shelf system.

[UncasMS]

you did notice that my results posted above are not stock speed?

[MilesAhead]

Nope. The thing I noticed was you have Phenom II whereas I only have Phenom. That's what struck me anyway.

[UncasMS]

well, comparing only phenom I & II would be unfair given that i have oc'ed mine with 500mhz per core - so treat yours nicely

[MilesAhead]

Yeah, I meant my system was off the shelf, not yours. I didn't expect it to be a super performer but pretty good performance with little or no hassle for moderate bucks. I just wish I went quad core much earlier. I kept wasting time with these Pentium 4 systems when I could have AMDd on down much sooner.