Xvid Encoding:

We tested video encoding performance using VirtualDub-MPEG version 1.6.15 and a multithreaded 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.


Memory bandwidth is the key here and at 1,866MHz there is just a few seconds between both Corsair and Super Talent, both of which are faster than the Corsair at a lower latency by some 10-15s. All of these are again faster than the 1,333MHz ultra low latency setting by 40-50 seconds.

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 Play album to a 192kbps variable bit-rate MP3.



Again the 1,333MHz ultra low latency speeds are almost identical, as are the 1,866MHz Cl-8 scores, and as you'd expect, the faster you go the better the system performs. It's worth noting though that from top to bottom, an extra 533MHz or 40 percent speed increase only gets you 5-10 seconds at most.

MP3 Decoding

Like file decompression, this test is less memory dependent so the scores don't vary that much, although more overall bandwidth is still better.