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It was the same story when we used DivX 7, iTunes 8.1 and CyberLink PowerProducer 5 as they clearly are not able to make effective use of multiple cores.

DivX 7 Video Encode
Single Xeon

Intel Xeon 5500

Click for full-size image

Dual Xeon

Intel Xeon 5500

Click for full-size image

In iTunes, we converted 458 MP3 files - totalling 2GB - to AAC format, and in DivX we worked with six AVI movies that also totalled 2GB. In Power Producer we recoded a single 350MB AVI file to DVD format. We can illustrate the lack of efficient threading as a single Xeon that is converting files in DivX 7 uses all eight cores at about 50 per cent load. Installing a second Xeon drops the load to 30 per cent on each core.

Power Producer AVI-to-DVD Encode
Single Xeon

Intel Xeon 5500

Click for full-size image

Dual Xeon

Intel Xeon 5500

Click for full-size image

Latest Comments
Anonymous Coward

benchmarks

how about php/webserver tasks and database tasks vs a similar spec xeon 5400.

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@ "Not desktop"

Odd. The MacPro, containing a pair of these mofos, looks a lot like a desktop to me.

All we need to do is get shot of that 'orrible OSX...

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Pounds, dollars

Is the X5550 really £958 and not $958? :)

Steve because he shipped them 1st.

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Impressive test results

http://www.finextra.com/fullstory.asp?id=19858

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Ummm FAIL

So, you run a bunch of tests that

1) Can't actually test the performance of the kit

2) Is not actually relevant to the intended uses of the kit

3) Despite points 1 and 2, declare the performance as breathtaking.

If you MUST do video compression testing on multi-core CPU's, then at least endeavour to use software that, you know, can utilise multiple cores.

DVDRIP on linux springs to mind.

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