Stuttering on 1080p, what to upgrader

Wossi · 30-08-2008, 09:38

My media pc is stuttering while playing 1080p sources and it's getting on my nerves. At the moment I don't have a graphics card as I've been using the on board hdmi connection which has been fine, but would putting a vga card in there help at all or will changing the cpu to a faster one be better?

Spec is:

Abit AN-M2 HD mobo
AMD x2 4000 cpu
4gb ram

Mark · 30-08-2008, 09:48

Open task manager and see how much CPU load there is while playing back the video. That should help give you an answer.

Wossi · 30-08-2008, 10:01

The cpu usage hovers around the 60% mark.

Mark · 30-08-2008, 11:43

Depending on the decoder you're using, that could well be CPU-limited then.

You might want to have a look around to see if there are any better decoders that can take advantage of both CPU cores. I don't know whether such things even exist though so don't be surprised if you can't find any.

divine · 30-08-2008, 23:44

Unless you're playing proper HD sources, like BluRay or HD-DVD, encoded in h.264, a VGA card won't help at all.

Chances are, if a better codec doesn't help, you'll need a better CPU.

Try CCCP and CoreAVC to see if either improve it. If not, it might be time to look to buying a Core 2 Duo.

My A64 struggles with 720p stuff if the bitrate is higher than 6000 odd.

leowyatt · 31-08-2008, 10:33

i'm not too sure what to suggest to you as my 360 decodes and plays 1080p wmv files with no stuttering at all so not sure how that compares to your pc.

divine · 31-08-2008, 11:49

I'm guessing he's playing x264 encoded MKV files, which take a lot more processing power to decode than WMV. If he can't play HD WMV files, then his PC has something seriously wrong with it, as even my old 2600+ can manage those.

Wossi · 31-08-2008, 12:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by divine

I'm guessing he's playing x264 encoded MKV files, which take a lot more processing power to decode than WMV. If he can't play HD WMV files, then his PC has something seriously wrong with it, as even my old 2600+ can manage those.

Bingo, the 720p stuff is fine it's just the 1080p versions.

divine · 31-08-2008, 12:35

I'd guess then, if my overclocked 3500+ can't quite manage higher bitrate 720p content, then your 4000+ is stumbling the same as mine, just at a higher point. Not a lot you can do about it really. Try CoreAVC, as it's the best decoder about, though you'll have to 'pay' for that. Beyond that, it'll be time to drop £200-£250 on a Core2Duo, Mobo and new RAM.

Wossi · 31-08-2008, 13:48

Bugger

as it plays everything else fine, I'll just avoid the 1080p stuff. It was only 1 file that I had as at the time I couldn't find another version, found a 720p last night on the torrents though. Might have to forget about it then.

30-08-2008, 09:38	#1
Wossi Absinthe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the middle Posts: 1,385	Stuttering on 1080p, what to upgrader My media pc is stuttering while playing 1080p sources and it's getting on my nerves. At the moment I don't have a graphics card as I've been using the on board hdmi connection which has been fine, but would putting a vga card in there help at all or will changing the cpu to a faster one be better? Spec is: Abit AN-M2 HD mobo AMD x2 4000 cpu 4gb ram

30-08-2008, 23:44	#5
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	Unless you're playing proper HD sources, like BluRay or HD-DVD, encoded in h.264, a VGA card won't help at all. Chances are, if a better codec doesn't help, you'll need a better CPU. Try CCCP and CoreAVC to see if either improve it. If not, it might be time to look to buying a Core 2 Duo. My A64 struggles with 720p stuff if the bitrate is higher than 6000 odd. __________________

31-08-2008, 10:33	#6
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	i'm not too sure what to suggest to you as my 360 decodes and plays 1080p wmv files with no stuttering at all so not sure how that compares to your pc. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

31-08-2008, 11:49	#7
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	I'm guessing he's playing x264 encoded MKV files, which take a lot more processing power to decode than WMV. If he can't play HD WMV files, then his PC has something seriously wrong with it, as even my old 2600+ can manage those. __________________

31-08-2008, 12:35	#9
divine Moonshine Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Southampton Posts: 3,201	I'd guess then, if my overclocked 3500+ can't quite manage higher bitrate 720p content, then your 4000+ is stumbling the same as mine, just at a higher point. Not a lot you can do about it really. Try CoreAVC, as it's the best decoder about, though you'll have to 'pay' for that. Beyond that, it'll be time to drop £200-£250 on a Core2Duo, Mobo and new RAM. __________________

30-08-2008, 09:48	#2
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Open task manager and see how much CPU load there is while playing back the video. That should help give you an answer.

30-08-2008, 10:01	#3
Wossi Absinthe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the middle Posts: 1,385	The cpu usage hovers around the 60% mark.

30-08-2008, 11:43	#4
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Depending on the decoder you're using, that could well be CPU-limited then. You might want to have a look around to see if there are any better decoders that can take advantage of both CPU cores. I don't know whether such things even exist though so don't be surprised if you can't find any.

31-08-2008, 13:48	#10
Wossi Absinthe Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: In the middle Posts: 1,385	Bugger as it plays everything else fine, I'll just avoid the 1080p stuff. It was only 1 file that I had as at the time I couldn't find another version, found a 720p last night on the torrents though. Might have to forget about it then.

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