Xvid Encoding:

We tested video encoding performance using VirtualDub-MPEG version 1.6.15 and a multi-threaded version of the Xvid codec, along with the LAME MT MP3 encoder for encoding audio. We did a two-pass encode of a 15-minute 276MB digital TV recording with a target file size of 100MB.


The benefits of the Intel Core 2 processor are evident here, with a near five minutes longer encoding time taken on the SS21T rather than the SFF systems three times more expensive. However the comparative AMD FX-62 ATX system is only 30 to 60 seconds faster, with some of this attributed to the more advanced engineering and the rest to the better memory performance.

MP3 Encoding:

We used LAME MT for our audio encoding test - it's the multi-threaded version of the popular LAME MP3 encoder. We ran tests with both Intel's and Microsoft's compilers - naturally, the Intel compiler resulted in some performance increases on Intel's processors. We converted all 18 tracks from Moby's popular Play album to a 192kbps variable bit-rate MP3.



There is no performance difference between integrated and discrete graphics in both encoding tests, unlike the Intel-based AOpen XC Cube. In addition, the SS21T performs exactly as fast as the more expensive AMD FX-62 ATX system too.

MP3 Decoding:

Decoding speed drops a few seconds to the Intel system, despite having very similar hard drive performance scores. The AMD FX-62 ATX system only performs a slight bit faster though.