CPU Benchmark Performance: Encoding

Another of the interesting elements of modern processors is encoding performance. This covers two main areas: encryption/decryption for secure data transfer and video transcoding from one video format to another.

In the encrypt/decrypt scenario, how data is transferred and by what mechanism is pertinent to on-the-fly encryption of sensitive data - a process by which more modern devices are leaning towards improving software security.

We've updated our list of encoding benchmarks for our 2024 CPU suite to include some of the most relevant and recent codecs, such as AV1, HEVC, and VP9. Not only this, but we have also included FLAC audio encoding as well as WebP2 image encoding into the mix to show not only how the latest processors perform with these codecs but also to show discrepancies in performance throughout the different segments.

We are using DDR5-5200 memory as per the JEDEC specifications on the Ryzen 7 8700G and Ryzen 5 8600G, as well as DDR4-3200 on the Ryzen 7 5700G and Ryzen 5 5600G. The same methodology is also used for the AMD Ryzen 7000 series and Intel's 14th, 13th, and 12th Gen processors. Below are the settings we have used for each platform:

  • DDR5-5200 CL44 - Ryzen 8000G
  • DDR4-3200 CL22 - Ryzen 5000G
  • DDR5-5600B CL46 - Intel 14th & 13th Gen
  • DDR5-5200 CL44 - Ryzen 7000
  • DDR5-4800 (B) CL40 - Intel 12th Gen

(3-1) WebP2 Image Encode: Q 75, CE 7

(3-1b) WebP2 Image Encode: Q 100, LC

(3-2): SVT AV1 Encoding: Bosphorus 1080p, Fastest Preset

(3-2b): SVT AV1 Encoding: Bosphorus 4K, Fastest Preset

(3-3) SVT AV1 Encoding: Bosphorus 1080p, Mid-Speed Preset

(3-3b) SVT AV1 Encoding: Bosphorus 4K, Mid-Speed Preset

(3-4) Dav1d AV1 Benchmark, Summer Nature 4K

(3-5) SVT-HEVC Encoding: Bosphorus 1080p, Higher Quality

(3-5b) SVT-HEVC Encoding: Bosphorus 4K, Higher Quality

(3-6) SVT-VP9 Encoding: Bosphorus 1080p, Quality Optimized

(3-6b) SVT-VP9 Encoding: Bosphorus 4K, Quality Optimized

(3-7) FFmpeg 6.0 Benchmark: libx264 Encode, Live Scenario

(3-7d) FFmpeg 6.0 Benchmark: libx265 Encode, Live Scenario

(3-8) FLAC Audio Encoding 1.4: WAV to FLAC

(3-9) 7-Zip 22.01 - Compression Rating

(3-9b) 7-Zip 22.01 - Decompression Rating

When it comes to encoding performance, as expected, the performance of both the Ryzen 7 8700G and the Ryzen 5 8600G doesn't quite reach the levels of the typical desktop chips. Performance in this area is where we expected it to be, again with the Ryzen 7 8700G beating out the previous Ryzen 7 5700G APU, and the same with the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Ryzen 5 5600G.

With the latest firmware, which removes the STAPM power limitations, we can see that it doesn't really affect the Ryzen 7 8700G in our encoding tests. We do, however see some bumps in performance without STAPM limitations on the Ryzen 5 8600G, although in the vast majority of use cases, the performance is very marginal.

CPU Benchmark Performance: Power, Productivity And Web CPU Benchmark Performance: Rendering
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  • goatfajitas - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Whoa, 428 watts at peak for the i9-14900K? I have not paid close attention to the last few rounds of releases and I knew it was bad but wholly crap. WTF Intel?
  • [email protected] - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Yeah, they definitely get pretty toasty, of it's imperative to plan out a cooling strategy to keep the CPU and other components from roasting. Of course, it does allow you to use it as a space heater in addition to a computer in cold weather. The highest TDP Ryzen 7000 CPUs run "cool" by comparison.
  • goatfajitas - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Yes, it would make a good "Winter PC" LOL
  • shabby - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Are they available in russia? They need them desperately to heat their frozen homes 😂
  • GeoffreyA - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - link

    Maybe the US should donate a few out of the kindness of their hearts.
  • ricebunny - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    Peak power is an irrelevant metric. It’s more of a motherboard feature than anything else - Intel’s Raptor Lake will pull as much power as you give them.

    For those who are concerned about power, there is a TDP ceiling feature. Once set, the Intel CPU will adhere closely to the limit. Laptop tests have shown the Intel Raptor Lake to be about as power efficient as the Zen 4. Take a look at Ars’s review of Framework 13.
  • goatfajitas - Monday, January 29, 2024 - link

    It is not irrenevant and is not a mobo feature. It is how much power is drawn under heavy load. When under heavy load for short bursts it can be fine, but under sustained load, it will get too hot and therefore not operate at or near turbo, it will run closer to the base clock, which is lame.
  • TheinsanegamerN - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - link

    You are ignorant. A 14900k will shovel gobs of power if you let it. Set it to a 250 watt TDP and it will stick to 250 watt while losing MAYBE 2% peak performance.

    Turbo isnt SUPPOSED to be sustained, that's a MOBO feature. Have you tried reading?
  • goatfajitas - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - link

    Dont be so pedantic... I didnt say it was supposed to sustain it, I am saying the power draw is too damn high period. Intel is compensating for inefficient design and has been doing it since they got stuck on 14nm several years back.

    Are you trying to claim Intel doesnt have issues with heat here or just being pissy?
  • temps - Tuesday, January 30, 2024 - link

    He's not being pedantic. Not in the slightest.

    If you can dissipate hundreds of watts of heat there is no issue. If you let the chip run uncapped and it draws lots of power... who cares... if you're willing to pay the electrical bill, I'm sure you're very happy to have that last few percent of performance.

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