The Intel Core i9-7980XE and Core i9-7960X CPU Review Part 1: Workstation
by Ian Cutress on September 25, 2017 3:01 AM ESTBenchmarking Performance: CPU Encoding Tests
One of the interesting elements on modern processors is encoding performance. This includes encryption/decryption, as well as video transcoding from one video format to another. In the encrypt/decrypt scenario, this remains pertinent to on-the-fly encryption of sensitive data - a process by which more modern devices are leaning to for software security. Video transcoding as a tool to adjust the quality, file size and resolution of a video file has boomed in recent years, such as providing the optimum video for devices before consumption, or for game streamers who are wanting to upload the output from their video camera in real-time. As we move into live 3D video, this task will only get more strenuous, and it turns out that the performance of certain algorithms is a function of the input/output of the content.
All of our benchmark results can also be found in our benchmark engine, Bench.
7-Zip 9.2: link
One of the freeware compression tools that offers good scaling performance between processors is 7-Zip. It runs under an open-source licence, is fast, and easy to use tool for power users. We run the benchmark mode via the command line for four loops and take the output score.
WinRAR 5.40: link
For the 2017 test suite, we move to the latest version of WinRAR in our compression test. WinRAR in some quarters is more user friendly that 7-Zip, hence its inclusion. Rather than use a benchmark mode as we did with 7-Zip, here we take a set of files representative of a generic stack (33 video files in 1.37 GB, 2834 smaller website files in 370 folders in 150 MB) of compressible and incompressible formats. The results shown are the time taken to encode the file. Due to DRAM caching, we run the test 10 times and take the average of the last five runs when the benchmark is in a steady state.
AES Encoding
Algorithms using AES coding have spread far and wide as a ubiquitous tool for encryption. Again, this is another CPU limited test, and modern CPUs have special AES pathways to accelerate their performance. We often see scaling in both frequency and cores with this benchmark. We use the latest version of TrueCrypt and run its benchmark mode over 1GB of in-DRAM data. Results shown are the GB/s average of encryption and decryption.
HandBrake v1.0.2 H264 and HEVC: link
As mentioned above, video transcoding (both encode and decode) is a hot topic in performance metrics as more and more content is being created. First consideration is the standard in which the video is encoded, which can be lossless or lossy, trade performance for file-size, trade quality for file-size, or all of the above can increase encoding rates to help accelerate decoding rates. Alongside Google's favorite codec, VP9, there are two others that are taking hold: H264, the older codec, is practically everywhere and is designed to be optimized for 1080p video, and HEVC (or H265) that is aimed to provide the same quality as H264 but at a lower file-size (or better quality for the same size). HEVC is important as 4K is streamed over the air, meaning less bits need to be transferred for the same quality content.
Handbrake is a favored tool for transcoding, and so our test regime takes care of three areas.
Low Quality/Resolution H264: Here we transcode a 640x266 H264 rip of a 2 hour film, and change the encoding from Main profile to High profile, using the very-fast preset.
High Quality/Resolution H264: A similar test, but this time we take a ten-minute double 4K (3840x4320) file running at 60 Hz and transcode from Main to High, using the very-fast preset.
HEVC Test: Using the same video in HQ, we change the resolution and codec of the original video from 4K60 in H264 into 4K60 HEVC.
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extide - Monday, September 25, 2017 - link
No, TDP should include Turbo as that is part of the base/stock operation mode of the CPU.IGTrading - Monday, September 25, 2017 - link
TDP = Total Design Power by definition.This is used to design the motherboard and the cooling system to give designers a clear limit over which the system doesn't go unless it is purposely overcloked.
Wikipedia : "The thermal design power (TDP), sometimes called thermal design point, is the maximum amount of heat generated by a computer chip or component (often the CPU or GPU) that the cooling system in a computer is designed to dissipate under any workload."
Intel : "TDP (Thermal Design Power) Intel defines TDP as follows: The upper point of the thermal profile consists of the Thermal Design
Power (TDP) and the associated Tcase value. Thermal Design Power (TDP) should be used for
processor thermal solution design targets. TDP is not the maximum power that the processor can
dissipate. TDP is measured at maximum TCASE.1"
Intel : "Due to normal manufacturing variations, the exact thermal characteristics of each individual processor are unique. Within the specified parameters of the part, some processors may operate at a slightly higher or lower voltage, some may dissipate slightly higher or lower power and some may draw slightly higher or lower current. As such, no two parts have identical power and thermal characteristics.
However the TDP specifications represent a “will not exceed” value. "
This is what we've understood by TDP in the past 21 years while in IT hardware industry.
If you have a different definition, then perhaps we're talking about different things.
whatevs - Monday, September 25, 2017 - link
Specification for 7980xe says "Thermal Design Power (TDP) represents the average power, in watts, the processor dissipates when operating at Base Frequency with all cores active under an Intel-defined, high-complexity workload. Refer to Datasheet for thermal solution requirements."There's a different specification for electrical design. This is not your ancient Xeon TDP.
IGTrading - Monday, September 25, 2017 - link
You mean the definition of TDP should change every year to suit Intel's marketing ?! :)"Ancient" Xeon TDP ?! :)
I've quoted Intel's own definition.
If the company just came up with a NEW and DIFFERENT definition just for the Core i9 series, then that's just plain deceiving marketing, changing with the wind (read : new generation of products) .
Plus, why the heck are they calling it TDP ?!
If they now claim that TDP "represents the average power, in watts, the processor dissipates when operating at Base Frequency with all cores active " then they basically use AMD's ACP from 2011.
What a load of nonsense from Intel ...
https://www.intel.com/content/dam/doc/white-paper/...
whatevs - Monday, September 25, 2017 - link
You have quoted 6 year old Xeon definition, different products have different operating conditions, deal with it.Spunjji - Monday, September 25, 2017 - link
Your name suggests that you're kind of a dick and your comments confirm it. Your point is weak and doesn't at all do the work you think it does.whatevs - Monday, September 25, 2017 - link
You may be unhappy with what Intel promised you, but to claim that you could burn a system with increased power usage from turbo clocks is ridiculous, thermal throttling is not fire, and it's ridiculous to argue on a cpu that can run overclocked at >400w power consumption.Notmyusualid - Monday, September 25, 2017 - link
+1wolfemane - Tuesday, September 26, 2017 - link
You can't talk rationale with a loyalist sympathizer. TDP is a set definition in the industry and one Intel seems to be misleading about with their Extreme HEDT CPU. That seems to be a fact clearly made among almost all reviews of the 7980xe.I think I read a few articles yesterday talking about how the 7980xe was having major issues and wasn't boosting correctly but showing high power draw. But yesterday was a long time ago and I cant remember where I read that.
someonesomewherelse - Saturday, October 14, 2017 - link
So why not call it 'Average Design Power - ADP'?