i7 920 - video encoder using only 30% processor

Hi

I wonder if anyone can tell me why when I encode video on my machine only 20 - 30% of processing power is used?

I have attached a screen grab of Task Manager

resources.jpg

I am using FFMPEG to do the encoding via VUZE but Handbrake also gives me the same results.

Also I'm using Windows 7 64bit Ultimate.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

giblet

giblet said:

Hi

I wonder if anyone can tell me why when I encode video on my machine only 20 - 30% of processing power is used?

I have attached a screen grab of Task Manager

resources.jpg

I am using FFMPEG to do the encoding via VUZE but Handbrake also gives me the same results.

Also I'm using Windows 7 64bit Ultimate.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

giblet

So You would rather it uses 100%???. Probably all a quad core needs. Problem?

I was assuming if it used 100% it would be encoding the video more quickly or is this incorrect?

Sorry if I'm misunderstanding you.

Maybe that's how it is supposed to work then as I have just read this which was comparing a Core 2 Quad to an i7...

The i7 was a solid 40% faster. The Core 2 Quad ran at 95% across all 4 Cores while the i7 was around 30% across all cores. The i7 runs at a lower percentage as this chips design has reduced latency on its instruction delivery. It can do more with lower clock speeds than the Core 2.

Still don't understand why it won't go to it's maximum potential speed though.

Just a thought, is it possible that your encoding software is using acceleration from your GPU?

Well it must be working properly as I managed to max out the processor when running this test

Tech ARP - x264 HD Benchmark Ver. 3.18

on the second pass so I guess it's just the way the software works.

x264 HD BENCHMARK 3.0 RESULTS


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Results for x264.exe r1342
--------------------------
encoded 1442 frames, 92.97 fps, 3898.50 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 94.17 fps, 3899.02 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 93.01 fps, 3899.02 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 91.02 fps, 3898.50 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 36.73 fps, 3963.07 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 37.10 fps, 3956.59 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 36.82 fps, 3971.46 kb/s
encoded 1442 frames, 36.73 fps, 3966.62 kb/s


System Details
--------------
Name Intel Core i7 920
product System Product Name
Codename Bloomfield
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU 920 @ 2.67GHz
Specification PC3-12800
Specification PC3-12800
Specification PC3-12800
Core Stepping D0
Technology 45 nm
Stock frequency 2666 MHz
Core Speed 4000.0 MHz

Northbridge Intel X58 rev. 12
Southbridge Intel 82801JR (ICH10R) rev. 00

CAS# latency (CL) 9.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 9
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 9
Cycle Time (tRAS) 28
Command Rate (CR) 2T
Command Rate 2T
Command Rate 2T
Command Rate 2T
Memory Frequency 800.0 MHz (2:8)
Memory Type DDR3
Memory Size 6144 MBytes
Channels Triple

Windows Version Microsoft Windows 7 (6.1) Ultimate Edition (Build 7600)

Number of processors 1
Number of threads 8
Number of threads 8 (max 16)
L2 cache 4 x 256 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
Instructions sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2, EM64T
Package (platform ID) Socket 1366 LGA (0x1)

Temperature 0 45°C (112°F) [0x2D] (SYSTIN)
Temperature 1 55°C (130°F) [0x6D] (CPUTIN)
Temperature 2 3°C (36°F) [0x5] (AUXTIN)
Temperature 0 69°C (156°F) [0x1F] (Core #0)
Temperature 1 66°C (150°F) [0x22] (Core #1)
Temperature 2 61°C (141°F) [0x27] (Core #2)
Temperature 3 62°C (143°F) [0x26] (Core #