Handbrake slow on 16GB ram PC

[techmot]

Yesterday as my son had a gaming PC for Christmas (Nvidia graphics, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Windows 11) I decided to try and do abit of encoding in Handbrake considering the the RAM compared to my Lenovo laptop with only 4GB RAM. Encoding a 1 min HD file from my camcorder at 1440x1980 took the same amount of time it takes using my Lenovo using H.264 - about 10 minutes. Using the different video encoders like H.265 and NVenc took the same as well, MPEG4 seemed a little bit quicker, and this was using the "fast" setting. I would've thought there would've been a big difference in encoding speed but there wasn't. Internet browsing seemed a little bit faster, very quick on opening a browser page. I've seen videos on youtube where they are encoding a 4K video in Handbrake to a sizable file within a few minutes. Should I expect Handbrake to be much faster on this particular system?.

[Subtitles]

Yesterday as my son had a gaming PC for Christmas (Nvidia graphics, 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Windows 11) I decided to try and do abit of encoding in Handbrake considering the the RAM compared to my Lenovo laptop with only 4GB RAM. Encoding a 1 min HD file from my camcorder at 1440x1980 took the same amount of time it takes using my Lenovo using H.264 - about 10 minutes. Using the different video encoders like H.265 and NVenc took the same as well, MPEG4 seemed a little bit quicker, and this was using the "fast" setting. I would've thought there would've been a big difference in encoding speed but there wasn't. Internet browsing seemed a little bit faster, very quick on opening a browser page. I've seen videos on youtube where they are encoding a 4K video in Handbrake to a sizable file within a few minutes. Should I expect Handbrake to be much faster on this particular system?.

Have you enabled GPU support in Handbrake?
This might help you
https://www.winxdvd.com/resource/handbrake-gpu-acceleration-qsv-nvenc-cuda.htm

[johns0]

What are the computer specs?Some gaming units are built just for games in mind and lack processing power for video apps.

[techmot]

What are the computer specs?Some gaming units are built just for games in mind and lack processing power for video apps.

Hope this helps:

[Attachment 75808 - Click to enlarge]

[Alwyn]

My understanding: If you don't have an enabled GPU, encoding is done solely by the CPU; the amount of RAM will make little difference. Where RAM is good is when you're editing and more of the info eg video and audio data the editor uses can be loaded into (the much faster) RAM instead of onto a hard drive. So, the more RAM the better for editing.

If you have a GPU, you can choose to use it via the Handbrake video options eg NVenc.

An i3 isn't a rocket machine; I suspect the CPU your new laptop is probably similar, explaining the similar encoding times.

[techmot]

My understanding: If you don't have an enabled GPU, encoding is done solely by the CPU; the amount of RAM will make little difference. Where RAM is good is when you're editing and more of the info eg video and audio data the editor uses can be loaded into (the much faster) RAM instead of onto a hard drive. So, the more RAM the better for editing.

If you have a GPU, you can choose to use it via the Handbrake video options eg NVenc.

An i3 isn't a rocket machine; I suspect the CPU your new laptop is probably similar, explaining the similar encoding times.

I've heard that using a GPU reduces the quality of the outputted file due to the faster encoding time compared to using the CPU. Alot of encoders (from what I've watched on youtube) don't recommend using the GPU unless it's for streaming videos, and it also creates a larger file. I tried the NVenc setting on the gaming PC, but for some reason it wouldn't encode the file.

I guess I would need an i5 or i7 processor, which from what I've seen seem to be pretty expensive, upwards of about £800. My sons PC cost £500, which aint cheap to me, maybe for gaming PC nerds but not for the average family. I don't know anyone who would be daft enough to pay £1000-3000 on a gaming PC or any other PC.

[johns0]

The pc is going to be slow encoding due to having a dual core intel pc,my pc cost over £1000 so i must be daft but i get very fast encoding times with great game playing.

[techmot]

The pc is going to be slow encoding due to having a dual core intel pc,my pc cost over £1000 so i must be daft but i get very fast encoding times with great game playing.

I'm guessing your PC is a Ryzen processor?. So what about the GPU?. When I use GPU it does seem alot faster, but I've heard that using the GPU reduces the quality and can make the outputted file larger. I tried this but I haven't noticed any difference in quality compared to using the CPU.

[Alwyn]

I've heard that using the GPU reduces the quality and can make the outputted file larger.

I'd treat that with a grain of salt. Do a test. Try both. Open each test file in VDub, go to the exact frame and closely compare.

There may be slight differences in size but not significantly so. File size is determined by the bitrate you set or the CRF number you use.

I guess I would need an i5 or i7 processor, which from what I've seen seem to be pretty expensive

If you're now talking about absolute speed then Yes, faster CPU means faster encoding. And if your encoding program is optimised for it, using the GPU will result in much faster encoding times.

[techmot]

I've heard that using the GPU reduces the quality and can make the outputted file larger.

I'd treat that with a grain of salt. Do a test. Try both. Open each test file in VDub, go to the exact frame and closely compare.

There may be slight differences in size but not significantly so. File size is determined by the bitrate you set or the CRF number you use.

I guess I would need an i5 or i7 processor, which from what I've seen seem to be pretty expensive

If you're now talking about absolute speed then Yes, faster CPU means faster encoding. And if your encoding program is optimised for it, using the GPU will result in much faster encoding times.

I did a test in Handbrake with an 8 min file, one set at h.264 with a "fast" encoding setting (constant framerate and at 22 quality), and then did the same file using the IntelQSV encoder set to balanced and again quality at 22. The IntelQSV encoder took only about a minute to encode, but using h.264 it took about 7 minutes. The IntelQSV outputted file was 337MB, and the H.264 was smaller at 297MB, not much difference really. Couldn't see any difference in quality between the two.

Strange why my sons gaming PC with Handbrake won't encode files using the Nvenc encoder, even using h.265 NVenc it says there's an error immediately after clicking start. I thought it was abit odd that the shop who built the PC installed VLC player. My Lenono laptop didn't have VLC installed just Windows, but my laptop came from a retailer.

[usually_quiet]

Strange why my sons gaming PC with Handbrake won't encode files using the Nvenc encoder, even using h.265 NVenc it says there's an error immediately after clicking start. I thought it was abit odd that the shop who built the PC installed VLC player.

The specs for your son's new gaming PC from your other thread about it:
Processor: Intel Core 6100
Memory: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 1TB SSD
Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650

The Intel Core i3-6100 processor's Intel 530 HD graphics can encode and decode H.265. An NVIDIA GTX 1650 is also supposed to be able to encode and decode H.265, so it should work.

I haven't had a discrete graphics card for a long time. Intel processor graphics have been good enough for me for 9 years. All I know I know is it is necessary to disable the Intel processor graphics in the BIOS to use a discrete graphics card. Is it possible that the processor graphics are not disabled? Beyond that, I can't help you.

[techmot]

Strange why my sons gaming PC with Handbrake won't encode files using the Nvenc encoder, even using h.265 NVenc it says there's an error immediately after clicking start. I thought it was abit odd that the shop who built the PC installed VLC player.

The specs for your son's new gaming PC from your other thread about it:
Processor: Intel Core 6100
Memory: 16GB DDR4
Storage: 1TB SSD
Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1650

The Intel Core i3-6100 processor's Intel 530 HD graphics can encode and decode H.265. An NVIDIA GTX 1650 is also supposed to be able to encode and decode H.265, so it should work.

I haven't had a discrete graphics card for a long time. Intel processor graphics have been good enough for me for 9 years. All I know I know is it is necessary to disable the Intel processor graphics in the BIOS to use a discrete graphics card. Is it possible that the processor graphics are not disabled? Beyond that, I can't help you.

Hi thanks for that. Yes I was thinking also thay maybe something has been disabled. Off topic here but thought I'd mention here, but I noticed the power cable connected to the back of the PC seems to produce a sparking noise when I try and move the cable. I did this because it was shutting down for no reason and I think the power cable was causing this. I'm guessing the shop didn't fit the power supply correctly or it's faulty. It's a refurbished PC so likely they have used a refurbished power unit. They have a good reputation from what I have heard so aren't con artists.

[Alwyn]

All I know I know is it is necessary to disable the Intel processor graphics in the BIOS to use a discrete graphics card.

Not necessarily so. I have an NVidia card and also an integrated GPU (UHD770) on the CPU, all running happily together.

@Techmot, check your graphics drivers for your 1650 and your Intel 530 are up to date.

NVidia Drivers Choose the studio driver.

Intel Graphics Driver

[techmot]

All I know I know is it is necessary to disable the Intel processor graphics in the BIOS to use a discrete graphics card.

Not necessarily so. I have an NVidia card and also an integrated GPU (UHD770) on the CPU, all running happily together.

@Techmot, check your graphics drivers for your 1650 and your Intel 530 are up to date.

NVidia Drivers Choose the studio driver.

Intel Graphics Driver

Maybe it's been disabled for a reason to enable the running of the games better. I don't really fancy messing with anything like the BIOS in case I mess something up. I don't see what the fuss is about 16GB ram compared to my 4GB RAM Lenovo. I tried using VSDC video editor on the gaming PC and it performs just the same as my Lenovo, but I suppose it depends on the imported file.

Is this what I need to select?.

GeForce

Product Series:
GeForce 16 Series

Product:
GeForce GTX 1650

Operating System:
Windows 11

Download Type:
Studio Driver (SD)

[usually_quiet]

Is this what I need to select?.

GeForce

Product Series:
GeForce 16 Series

Product:
GeForce GTX 1650

Operating System:
Windows 11

Download Type:
Studio Driver (SD)

I went to the driver page Alwyn linked to: NVidia Drivers

I came up with the same set of options that you did, so I think you found the correct driver download link for your son's video card.

[TimA-C]

It's a dual-core I3 running Windows 11, don't get your hopes up too high!

I'm guessing it's also got a load of stuff pre-installed as well as all the usual MS stuff? Get someone who knows what they're doing to 'clean it up' a bit and tweak the performance. Also, the specs don't mention the hard drive. I'm hoping it's a decent SSD of some description, but . . .

[usually_quiet]

It's a dual-core I3 running Windows 11, don't get your hopes up too high!

I'm guessing it's also got a load of stuff pre-installed as well as all the usual MS stuff? Get someone who knows what they're doing to 'clean it up' a bit and tweak the performance. Also, the specs don't mention the hard drive. I'm hoping it's a decent SSD of some description, but . . .

There probably isn't as much stuff preloaded as on a normal pre-built PC. As I recall from an earlier related thread, the store this PC was purchased from refurbishes and updates used PCs then resells them.

[TimA-C]

Ah. Thanks for that extra info. So, might be worth checking to see what the hard drive is, if it's a refurb. Also, being the cynical s.o.b. that I so clearly am ( ), I'd do a thorough check for Malware, adware etc. Just to be on the safe side.

[techmot]

Ah. Thanks for that extra info. So, might be worth checking to see what the hard drive is, if it's a refurb. Also, being the cynical s.o.b. that I so clearly am ( ), I'd do a thorough check for Malware, adware etc. Just to be on the safe side.

Not sure about the HDD but it's probably refurbished. I think the only new things on it will be the casing, keyboard, mouse and possibly the monitor. My son said that the USB cable to the control pad he's using to play the games won't work properly, and when you nudge the USB that is slotted into the USB port (which for some reason is located on top of the base unit tower with a few other ports incl some audio connections for headphones) it will make that disconnection/unplugging sound. Sometimes when botting up when you try and enter the password the keys don't work, and you have to then unplug the USB from the back of the base unit and insert it again to get the keys to work. No idea why it's doing that for. When I mention these things to their mum I just get moaned at that I'm ungrateful lol. My Lenovo laptop often does this with my external drives, and it can be a pain sometimes when the HDD suddenly disconnecs, often for no apparent reason but sometimes when I move the cable or the HDD. I mainly use a USB hub for my two external HDDs so maybe that's the problem. I never problems connecting any of them on my older Toshiba or my older Acer Aspire laptop, but they were far better laptops than my crappy Lenovo.

All I know about the gaming PCs HDD is that it has 1TB.