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Encoding: GPU v CPU

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Superman07

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 28, 2007
704
2
I'm not an expert in this area, so it's hard for me to tell between the GPU and CPU which plays the most important role. Perhaps it's dependent on the way the software is written, I'm not sure.

However, as I've read through the threads here I've noticed some discission of difference in times, but I can't tell why.

For example: Mac Pros are beating out the iMac, which in turn beat the Mac Books.

Now I know this may seem obvious and "duh", and more is better, but how much more and what is it worth - both in terms of dollars and time?

Let's assume the processor speed is the same, what benefit would one see from the 256mb iMac card v the 512mb card? What then if you bump the processor to the 3.06ghz option? Likewise for the new entry Mac Book with the 9400M to the dedicated 9600 unit.
 
mrgreen4242

mrgreen4242

macrumors 601
Feb 10, 2004
4,377
9
For video encoding in OSX, at the moment, it's all about CPU speed, including both raw CPU power and the front side bus speed. Harddrive and disc drive speed can play a roll in this if your CPU is fast enough as well, depending on the source and destination of your encode.

Memory has a limited effect on encode speed, and GPU, at this time, has none.
 
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dynaflash

macrumors 68020
Mar 27, 2003
2,119
8
Speaking for HB, its all about cpu, number of (including cores) and clock speed. HB uses little ram actually. a c2d is awesome, and a quad is better yet (due to multi-threading). there are diminishing returns above that though, like a quad vs. an octo. GPU will do nothing for encoding with HB.
 
Eidorian

Eidorian

macrumors Penryn
Mar 23, 2005
29,190
386
Indianapolis
dynaflash said:
Speaking for HB, its all about cpu, number of (including cores) and clock speed. HB uses little ram actually. a c2d is awesome, and a quad is better yet (due to multi-threading). there are diminishing returns above that though, like a quad vs. an octo. GPU will do nothing for encoding with HB.
Click to expand...
This is where I suggest running multiple instances of Handbrake.
 
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dynaflash

macrumors 68020
Mar 27, 2003
2,119
8
Eidorian said:
This is where I suggest running multiple instances of Handbrake.
Click to expand...

Do *not* try this with HB Snapshot 3 (macgui version) or above. Each instance would try to use the same queue plist and disaster would ensue. You have been warned ;)
 
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