Intel always produce one type of processor designed to be used on its own and a second type where you generally use two in a computer. The latter are normally called Xeons. At the end of last year they introduced their i7 single processors, the next step up from the Core2Quads we have been using. Now they have introduced the "Nehalem" Xeon range of processors. We often describe these as "i7 Xeons" because its easier to say than Nehalem and because it is a pretty good description of what they are - processors designed on the same principle as the i7 and designed to be installed in pairs rather than individually.
Two processors are definitely better than one. They are not twice as good, unfortunately, as that would be too easy. So how much better are the new Xeons?
We have been testing various editing systems with the new Xeons, using Adobe Premiere Pro and the Matrox RT.X2, Grass Valley EDIUS and the HDSTORM Plus and are about to embark on testing with Vegas.
How much better are the New Xeons?
We decided the best way to test was to use some processor heavy tasks. A fast machine may deal with certain types of footage better but when just performing straight cuts how much better it is working is fairly subjective. So we did some tests using multiple layers of picture in picture effects, H264 encoding for Blu-ray, MPEG encoding for DVD and also conversion of AVCHD into a more usable format.
We tested using a 2.8Ghz Core2Quad processor, a 2.66Ghz i7 Processor and 2x 2.4Ghz Nehalem Xeons. These represent the kind of systems we are generally selling at the moment. With the Xeons you can go up to 3.2Ghz and there are other technical advantages which you get by using a faster processor, although the cost increases. Roughly to go from the 2.4Ghz processors we have been testing to 2.66Ghz Xeons costs an extra £1,000, and to go from these to the best 3.2Ghz processors about another £1,500. Obviously to get exact pricing just give us a ring.
Generally the Xeons were about 40% better than the single i7 processor and the single i7 was about 30% better than the Quad core.
So there is a significant difference to be had in buying the new Xeons?
To put this into figures:
Encoding a 15 minute Matrox RT.X2 timeline to H264 using a 2 pass variable bit rate setting took:
1Hr 06mins 45s on the Xeon system
1Hr 37mins 25s on the i7 system
2Hrs 22mins 05s on the Quad core system.
Some of the other tests we did included taking 36mins of native AVCHD footage, as recorded on the camera, and encoded it to Canopus HQ format, ready for editing in Grass Valley EDIUS. The Xeon munched through this footage in about 10 minutes!
We will put more results in our next email newsletter however we are happy to tell you:
- The new Xeons are here and we have tested Matrox and Grass Valley cards and they are working well.
- They do significantly improve the performance for editing and encoding.
If you want to know more then give us a ring, email, pop down for a demo or come to our open day in July.