Media Encoding Performance using WME, DivX, Quicktime and iTunes

All of our media encoding tests are multithreaded, as most media encoding tasks are, and thus the dual core CPUs do very well.

Windows Media Encoder 9 - Advanced Profile

Under Windows Media Encoder, the Pentium D 805 is extremely competitive. The top spot is of course reserved for the Athlon 64 X2 3800+, but at 29.5 fps the Pentium D 805 is noticeably faster than anything else in its price class.

H.264 Encoding with Quicktime Pro 7.0.4

The picture is really no different under Quicktime 7.0.4 with H.264 encoding: the Pentium D 805 is truly a bargain, offering good middle of the road performance at a low end price.

And the trend continues with DivX 6.1.1 and iTunes:

DivX 6.1.1 Pro with Xmpeg 5.0.3

MP3 Encoding with iTunes 6.0.1.4

3D Rendering Performance using 3dsmax 7 Gaming Performance using F.E.A.R. and Quake 4
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  • poohbear - Friday, April 7, 2006 - link

    amazing how a dualcore opteron @ the same speeds as a non dual core can have a 30fps increase in quake4! :0 (aside from the extra 1mb cache) hope that's a sign of things to come.
  • Sunrise089 - Friday, April 7, 2006 - link

    Coming after the Black and White article, it's easy to see the high and low in AT writing. This artcle was fantastic, especially page 2, where Anand comments on all the possible chips in the low-middle marketplace. It's nice to see my Opteron 144 still able to win a benchmark. How important this info will be with Conroe around the corner is anyone's guess, but it's nice to see all the information put out there so effectively.

    Now if you will, write up an overclocking story on the Opteron 144, X2 3800+, Pentium D 805, and Pentium 4 3.2ghz.
  • Calin - Friday, April 7, 2006 - link

    And power use for the overclocked 805 is a must :D
    there goes the idea of having a small, silent, somewhat high performance computer with an 805 :(...
  • Pete84 - Friday, April 7, 2006 - link

    Why wasn't the chip overclocked? They supposedly have very good headroom.
  • JarredWalton - Friday, April 7, 2006 - link

    Read the last page. That article is in the works.
  • Viditor - Friday, April 7, 2006 - link

    As this is the low end, could you guys throw in an overclocked Sempron as well?
    Just askin...:)
  • stephenbrooks - Saturday, April 8, 2006 - link

    Agree on the Sempron. Also wondering about the new Celeron 355 at 3.33GHz as the poor 351 gets left behind in all those graphs (though it is cheaper - I almost want the $ figure written on the graphs so I can tell if it's a fair competition or not).

    I wonder why Intel is making no 512KB L2 cache chips?
  • Questar - Friday, April 7, 2006 - link

    Why?

    This thing would mop the floor with a Sempron.
  • Viditor - Friday, April 7, 2006 - link

    quote:

    This thing would mop the floor with a Sempron.

    Never let the facts get in the way of a good story, eh? :)

    Seriously guys, since Semprons are in this same and slightly lower price range, it would be of great benefit to see a comparison so that we can make some buying decisions.

    Cheers!
  • mino - Friday, April 7, 2006 - link

    Actually Sempron 3100+ has about the same performance as A64 3000+.

    even 2800+ would be faster than 805 in singlethread scenario.

    Not saying 805 is bad (actually it is now the best value for money).

    Jus your comment is OFF.

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