Slow Encodes on 10.1 w/new proc

[3eyedtoad]

I've been happily and successfully running HB encodes using version 10.0.6543 on a Thinkpad T430s on 64 bit Windows 7, which sports an Intel Core i7 3520M (dual core). HD encodes typically run around 80 or 90 FPS. I just upgraded to a T440s (also on 64 bit Windows 7), which runs on an Intel Core i7 4600U (also dual core). I've tried several HD encodes using 10.1.6962 with the new machine, and they have been running around 7 FPS... major disappointment.

Here's a log from a recent encode that run ridiculously slow when compared to the older setup.

According to CPUBoss, the older proc runs at 2.9 Ghz vs. the new proc at 2.1 Ghz, but I can't believe that the huge performance differential is entirely attributable to clock speed.

I don't have the install for 10.0.6543, otherwise I'd give that a go to see if there's something in the old encoder that worked previously, but is now broken with 10.1.

Any thoughts/guidance on how to make the most of encode performance on the new proc? Any reason to be suspicious of HB 10.1?

[Deleted User 11865]

The logical explanation is that you're using different encoding settings on the two machines. With only the log for the new machine, we can't compare anything for you though…

[tlindgren]

Various benchmarks suggests your new processor "should" be on the order of 10-15% slower than the old one, though I expect the massive difference in TDP (35W vs 15W) means the difference will be much larger in anything that runs for extended periods like video encoding, half the speed is by no means impossible.

But you're seeing much larger differences than that, the most obvious candidates are "insufficient cooling" or different settings/encoder (slow vs fast or x264 vs quicksync for example). It's not uncommon for "thin & light" to have very bad cooling which then triggers thermal throttling, anything with "U" type processor have a good chance of being awful at video encoding...

So, I'd suggest checking cpu temperature during encode, the i7-4600U is rated for max 100C, so if it hits 90C or even 95C I'd suspect this could be the cause. Beyond that I'd really recommend comparing/posting before and after logs as Rodeo suggested.

[3eyedtoad]

Thanks for the prompt responses... your initial reaction gives me hope that I can configure my way out of this.

As requested, here's a log from an encode I ran on my old setup that ran at about 85 fps.

I'm also going to export my old presets and import them into the new setup to see what that yields.

TIA for any insights/observations...

[Deleted User 11865]

New vs. old:

Code: Select all

[16:29:08]    + filters
[16:29:08]      + Decomb (default settings)
[16:29:08]      + Framerate Shaper (0:27000000:900900)
[16:29:08]        + frame rate: same as source (around 29.970 fps)
[16:29:08]      + Crop and Scale (1280:720:2:0:0:0)
[16:29:08]        + source: 1920 * 1080, crop (2/0/0/0): 1920 * 1078, scale: 1280 * 720
[16:29:08]    + loose anamorphic
[16:29:08]      + storage dimensions: 1280 * 720, mod 2
[16:29:08]      + pixel aspect ratio: 540 / 539
[16:29:08]      + display dimensions: 1282 * 720
[16:29:08]    + encoder: H.264 (libx264)
[16:29:08]      + profile: high
[16:29:08]      + level:   4.1
[16:29:08]      + quality: 22.00 (RF)

Code: Select all

[07:45:52]    + filters
[07:45:52]      + Framerate Shaper (0:27000000:900900)
[07:45:52]        + frame rate: same as source (around 29.970 fps)
[07:45:52]      + Crop and Scale (1280:720:0:0:0:0)
[07:45:52]        + source: 1920 * 1080, crop (0/0/0/0): 1920 * 1080, scale: 1280 * 720
[07:45:52]    + loose anamorphic
[07:45:52]      + storage dimensions: 1280 * 720, mod 2
[07:45:52]      + pixel aspect ratio: 1 / 1
[07:45:52]      + display dimensions: 1280 * 720
[07:45:52]    + encoder: H.264 (libx264)
[07:45:52]      + preset:  veryfast
[07:45:52]      + profile: main
[07:45:52]      + level:   4.0
[07:45:52]      + quality: 22.00 (RF)

The decomb filter can be slow, and the default x264 preset (medium) is obviously a lot slower than the veryfast preset.

[3eyedtoad]

Sweet.

I've killed the decomb filter, and the encode speed has already picked up to average over 50 FPS.

How do I configure the x264 preset to veryfast? Also, is there a trade-off in render quality (I presume)?

[Deleted User 11865]

Using the x264 preset slider on the video tab.

[3eyedtoad]

Thanks. I realized I based the config I'm using on the "High Profile" built-in to 10.1. I'm guessing that since decomb is on by default in that config that it produces a higher-quality result. That's also where I got the x264 preset set to "Medium" (vs. "Very Fast").

Is there documentation that describes the options in the default "High Profile" configuration vs. the "Normal" configuration?