TLDR = 960gtx > intel hd530 for mpeg2 to x264 - windows 10
edit: oops I meant to put this in open general discussions, so non-plex-pass users could also see the discussion
Preface, I searched around here and didn’t see any topics specifically about, or with hardware accelerated transcoding benchmarks.
I had recently setup an experimental windows plex server on my desktop and was interested in figuring out which “GPU” was the fastest/best.
My desktop consists of i5-6600k + intel hd530 + nvidia 960 gtx-2gig + 16 gig system ram.
Windows 10 pro insider 17083
I used windows task manager to monitor gpu/cpu loads during transcoding.
To switch plex gpu, stop plex server, change the primary windows desktop to the gpu of choice.
Plex transcoding will use whichever GPU controls the primary desktop. (right click desktop > display settings > make this my main display).
You will need a monitor connected to each gpu for this to work.
You will also need to enable the integrated/intel gpu in your computer bios, if it is not already enabled.
This is standard windows primary/extended desktops. For me it was all plug and play.
hd530 ave displayed load ~75% (“3d” graph) = 7min 17sec
nv 960gtx ave displayed load ~ 35% (“video encode” graph) = 6min 2sec
Neither video card appeared to be used for mpeg2 decoding, so cpu decoding
I assume audio was also using cpu for whatever decode/encode/muxing needs.
I have not yet benchmarked any bluray or 4k media.
additional details for your information.
intel driver 23.20.16.4927
nvidia driver 388.71
plex windows 1.11.4760
background transcoder = very slow
source = NAS share over gbe, capable of maxing/exeeding gbit link
trancoder temp = ssd
transcoder destination = ssd
source file = makemkv rip (mpeg2) of dvd 2 fast 2 furious 5.1 and stereo audio streams
2.63 GB (2,832,940,610 bytes)
destinations
original quality - intel hd530 = ~7 minute 17 sec 2.90 GB (3,124,431,433 bytes)
original quality - nvidia 960 gtx = ~6 minutes 2 sec 2.90 GB (3,118,283,574 bytes)
source
Media
Video Resolution 480p
Duration 1:47:41
Bitrate 3508 kbps
Width 720
Height 480
Aspect Ratio 1.78
Container MKV
Video Frame Rate NTSC
Video Profile main
Title Original
Part
Duration 1:47:41
File 2_Fast_2_Furious_(2003)_t00.mkv
Size 2.64 GB
Container MKV
Video Profile main
Codec MPEG2VIDEO
Bitrate 2868 kbps
Language English
Anamorphic 1
Bit Depth 8
Chroma Location left
Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
Color Range tv
Frame Rate 29.97 fps
Height 480
Level 8
Pixel Aspect Ratio 186:157
Profile main
Ref Frames 1
Scan Type interlaced
Width 720
Codec AC3
Channels 5.1
Bitrate 448 kbps
Language English
Audio Channel Layout 5.1(side)
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Title Surround 5.1
Codec AC3
Channels Stereo
Bitrate 192 kbps
Language English
Audio Channel Layout stereo
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Title Stereo
Codec VOBSUB
Language English
Codec VOBSUB
Language English
OQ intel hd 530 - cpu i5-6600k msi z270m mortormb
Media
Video Resolution 480p
Duration 1:47:41
Bitrate 3869 kbps
Width 854
Height 480
Aspect Ratio 1.66
Container MP4
Video Frame Rate NTSC
Web Optimized Yes
Proxy Type 42
Has 64bit Offsets 0
Target Original Quality
Target Tag I D 3
Video Profile high
Title Original Quality
Part
Duration 1:47:41
File 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003).mp4
Size 2.91 GB
Container MP4
Has 64bit Offsets 0
Web Optimized Yes
Video Profile high
Codec H264
Bitrate 3224 kbps
Language English
Anamorphic 0
Bit Depth 8
Chroma Location left
Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
Frame Rate 29.97 fps
Height 480
Level 3.1
Pixel Aspect Ratio 31361:31398
Profile high
Ref Frames 2
Stream Identifier 1
Width 854
Codec AC3
Channels 5.1
Bitrate 448 kbps
Language English
Audio Channel Layout 5.1(side)
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Stream Identifier 2
Codec AC3
Channels Stereo
Bitrate 192 kbps
Language English
Audio Channel Layout stereo
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Stream Identifier 3
OQ - nvidia 980gtx - 2gig ddr5 video ram
Media
Video Resolution 480p
Duration 1:47:41
Bitrate 3861 kbps
Width 854
Height 480
Aspect Ratio 1.66
Container MP4
Video Frame Rate NTSC
Web Optimized Yes
Proxy Type 42
Has 64bit Offsets 0
Target Original Quality
Target Tag I D 3
Video Profile main
Title Original Quality
Part
Duration 1:47:41
File 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003).mp4
Size 2.90 GB
Container MP4
Has 64bit Offsets 0
Web Optimized Yes
Video Profile main
Codec H264
Bitrate 3217 kbps
Language English
Anamorphic 0
Bit Depth 8
Chroma Location left
Chroma Subsampling 4:2:0
Frame Rate 29.97 fps
Height 480
Level 3.1
Pixel Aspect Ratio 31361:31398
Profile main
Ref Frames 1
Stream Identifier 1
Width 854
Codec AC3
Channels 5.1
Bitrate 448 kbps
Language English
Audio Channel Layout 5.1(side)
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Stream Identifier 2
Codec AC3
Channels Stereo
Bitrate 192 kbps
Language English
Audio Channel Layout stereo
Sampling Rate 48000 Hz
Stream Identifier 3