Building new computer Any interest in comparison to old

[TBoneit]

As It says I'm building a new computer to run along with my older Pre Prescott 3.0Ghz P4 System. I'll be keeping the old one for internet and using the new one for encoding only at this time.

New one I'm doing is a AMD 64 X2 4200 dual core with a Foxconn (Winfast) 6100K8MA-RS @ http://www.foxconnchannel.com/products_motherboard_2.cfm?pName=6100K8MA-RS

I picked this chip as a balance in price vs cost since there seems to be big jump in price after this chip.

I wasn't worried about video since I don't game.

I'll probably start with 512Mb for economy and go from there. Since it won't be on the internet I'm not planning on Antivirus thus reducing the memory load and shortening start up times.

for performance comparison (not totally scientific I'm sure) I'll be using the same TMPGEnc 3 Xpress encoder and encoding the same mpeg to a WMV file to eliminate Xvid/Divx codecs and their configuration from the process. Same target size and resolution should give me a reasonable in terms of accuracy result. I'll most likely be splurging the $70 for a IBM 15" LCD that'll be usuable for 1024 by 768 requirement for TMPGEnc, I have spare Hdds CD-RW and DVD-RW drives just so It can be used to burn if needed. I'm anticipating using a USB2 external to mive files back and forth to keep the machine seperated from the others in the house.

My other option would be to take the Benchmark file from here and turn it into a straight DV Codec AVI, Thoughts?

Any interest in my admittedly not totally scientific comparison of encoding times?

Cheers

[Faustus]

If you want to compare them simply run the benchmark in the stickied thread.

That will give a good idea of the difference.

Of course with an X2 what going to matter most is if the program you are encoding with is built to use both cores on the CPU.

I really need to get around to benching my Macbook under XP on video encodes, I'm just lazy.

[TBoneit]

Yea. I thought about that but I suspect that Tmpgenc Plus is for sure not multiprocessor supportive. Whereas I Know TMPGEnc Xpress 3 supports dual procs. I'm more interested firstly in seeing if the new computer is faster and if so how much faster then the old.

I'm not expecting the same kind of boost as I would see if I were going from a Celeron 2.5 for example since I'm already running a P4 3.0 800fsb w/HT

[Cobra]

Between an AMD X2 4200 and a Prescott P4 3.0GHz there won't be much difference, and the Intel may even win out. Intels are better than AMDs for video encoding.

You may want to wait about six months (I know it's a long time) for the next-gen Intel CPUs to come out:

http://www.anandtech.com/tradeshows/showdoc.aspx?i=2713

That looks like a really potent architecture there.

[TBoneit]

Cobra, I do not think the Pre Prescott runs that much slower than a Prescott. I have the P4 3.0 800fsb pre Prescott CPU.

Having said that I did a simple benchmark of mpeg one to SVCD 5 minute clip as a test, since I hadn't installed the Divx/Xvid codecs and they'd be different versions anyway.

Ok on to results:

Old P4 3.0 w/Asus Mobo and 1 Gb memory 2 x 512Mb in dual channel mode, going from a IDE drive to a USB2 drive.
5 minute clip took 03:39 minutes to Encode

New AMD 64 X2 4200 dual core with a Foxconn (Winfast) 6100K8MA-RS (econo board w/ 1 PCI E and 3 PCi and 4 DDR slots. Nvidia Chipset and built in video since I don't game. 1 Gig Ram, Going from C: (IDE) to F: USB 2 External.
Same settings in TMPGEnc 3 Xpress for bitrate, Resolution and so on.

New computer took 1:56 Average time to encode. Slowest was 2 minutes when run w/512Mb C: to C:. Fastest was 1:54 minutes C: to F: w/1gig

Cost in Dollars ($)
Mobo and CPU retail pack w/heatsink & fan $410
New case w/PS $37
2 DDR 512Mb PC400 $70.50
Lite-On SHM-165P6S04C Super Allwrite DVD burner supports all formats including DVD Ram $41
Spare used 200Gig WD JB (free)
15" IBM Flat Panel $70 Used 90 day warranty.
Cheapo KB & Mouse $8

Seems to me a reasonable increase in speed and about what I was hoping for, and the AMD runs much cooler than the older models.

Monday when I go back to work I'll run the benchmark test from here. I do not expect that Tmpgenc plus will do as good as I believe it doesn't support Multi/Dualcore processors as well as the newer one does. OTOH I could be wrong as I just brought it up here It shows supports HT and shows 2 Logical processors (P4 3.0)

Maybe the new AMD 64 X2 are better at Video than the older ones were.

FWIW to satisfy curiousity I've run Intel for years, The last AMD I owned was a Slot A 700Mhz. And I have noticed that the older ones ran warmer than the Intel. However the New Intel dual cors CPUs do seem to run hotter than the old ones and this AMD runs cooler than the old ones. One of the things I didn't like about the Athlon & Duron was the small size of the contact to the heatsink. I've Seen and replaced many burned out AMD Athlons and when you look at the bottom of the chip it would be darkened from heat in the center. This new one they've finally got it right Full size of the chip metal top to contact the heatsink.

More to follow.

[TBoneit]

Follow up, Cobra I'd already ordered when you replied but Waiting 6 months and the fact it'll probably be more expensive vs the time saved now over the 6 months before intel hopefully on time releases their new lineup.

[Skith]

What kind of PSU did that case come with? If it is generic, I would ditch it and get something more reliable. You don't need anything superpowerful if you don't plan on running games (with those power eating graphics cards), but you should get something more reliable, and with power enough to expand, for say, extra HDDs.

The PSU is the most often ignored component, when in reality it is the most important. It is your systems heart and life blood... the last thing you want is a cheap PSU to short and take some or all of your system components with it!

[Cobra]

Cobra, I do not think the Pre Prescott runs that much slower than a Prescott. I have the P4 3.0 800fsb pre Prescott CPU.

I missed the "Pre" in your original post. Sorry!

You've got a really nice machine there. I'd agree with Skith, though - if you've not got a really decent PSU (Power Supply Unit) then get one. I had a QTec one (500W for £20) and it wound up frying my PC when it gave up a year after I got it. Now I have an Antec TruePower supply - much better. Also, you've got to watch PSUs power ratings because they can be very misleading. Read reviews of any potential PSU to find out what it can actually supply.

[TBoneit]

Well We haven't hd probelms with these yet (Knock Wood).

The PSu is a Gearmax 430watt. 20 & 24 pin power Plus the 4 pin. 4 Hdd/CD/DVD power plugs, 1 Floppy and two SATA connectore which happens to match the drive capability of the Mobo exactly.As is there is room for one more IDE device since I put 1 IDE HDD, 200Gb 1 DVD Burner, 1 Removable bay. An of course room for two SATA drives.

I have noticed that during encoding with TMPGEnc 3 Xpress, It uses both CPU cores, that the CPU heatsink seems to be cooler than the chipset heatsink, A big difference from earlier AMD chips.

Burning it in here at work as I type by encoding some video. The $70 dollar IBM FP is slightly disappointing on video, It's not bad, just not spectacular, I looked it up on the IBM website and they suggest 16 Bit color @ 1024 by 768 by 60hz. OTOH it is a low cost flat panel and where I was planning on putting this computer there isn't really enough room for a 17" monitor and computer and still have room for the KB & Mouse. This computer is going to be dedicated for Encoding to/from Avi and such. No Internet.

[jagabo]

TMPGEnc Plus is multithreaded. You'll find the A64 X2 3800 is about twice as fast as a P4 3.0 with TMPGEnc Plus set up correctly. It will depend to some extent on the settings you use.

[Cobra]

I really want to upgrade now, but I'm waiting for two things. The new Intel chips (and hopefully AMD's response, as I've always used AMD) and a job so I can actually afford to upgrade!

TBoneit - glad to hear you have a good, cool-running CPU. You know, in the future, if that gets a bit too slow for you (yeah, as if, that processor is a monster!) you can always consider overclocking. A cool-running CPU should allow plenty of headroom for you.

Cobra

[KTH]

TBoneit,
I believe that Tmpgenc 3.0 XPress has to periodically connect to the Internet to re-validate itself, so you may have to periodically connect your new AMD system to the Internet for Tmpgenc 3.0 XPress to keep working. Also I would go with 1gb of Dual Channel RAM if your computer supports it.

[jagabo]

Tmpgenc 3.0 XPress has to periodically connect to the Internet to re-validate itself

Which is a good reason not to purchase it.

[TBoneit]

KTH, you are correct it does have to connect once in a while. OTOH I know when it needs to as I have it set to ask not autorenew. It isn't that often. And I have a ethernet cable where I'm planning on setting the computer up that connects direct to one of the ports of the built-in router of my DSL modem. I went with 2 x 512Mb for now... I spent enough money. I do not want to eat up all of my reserve funds. Stil have two more slots for memory expansion, And yes it does seem to be in dual channel mode now vs single channel mode with 1 x 512Mb I saved 4 seconds on a test 5 minute clip encode. That meant I went from 1:56 to 2:00 by doubling the memory and going from single channel to dual channel mmory mode. Not an impressive jump but a increase.

jagabo, I sort of see your point but it has features that make my life easier so I'll live with it calling home several times a year. Software calling home for license renewal will most likely become the norm for payware due to piracy losses. Do I worry that they may go bust and I can't renew? yup but nothing is forever. In the meantime I use the heck out of it and it makes my life easier.

Cobra, I think I've tried overclocking once as a test, Athlon 1200. General rule for me is that I'm conservative and run things as they were designed.

Your computer details look pretty good to me.

[lordsmurf]

The PSU is the most often ignored component, when in reality it is the most important.

I disagree.

The most overlooked piece of a computer is the SURGE PROTECTOR! It amazes me how people spend $2000 for a computer, then put a piece of shit $5 "surge" strip into the wall. A surge UPS (battery backup) is the way to go, drop about $50 minimum on one.

[Skith]

The PSU is the most often ignored component, when in reality it is the most important.

I disagree.

The most overlooked piece of a computer is the SURGE PROTECTOR! It amazes me how people spend $2000 for a computer, then put a piece of shit $5 "surge" strip into the wall. A surge UPS (battery backup) is the way to go, drop about $50 minimum on one.

This is true I suppose, but I don't really consider a surge protector or UPS to be part of a computer, at least not the way the inner guts like the PSU, CPU, RAM, etc. are a part of one. I would consider an UPS/Surge Protector to be more of an accessory (although a necessary one).

[CrayonEater]

Which is a good reason not to purchase it.

Agreed. Too bad they had to screw up a decent program.