MSI K9A Platinum

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.

Video encoding is also faster than the other socket AM2 boards tested. The MSI K9A Platinum is shaping up to be an exceptionally powerful board for the money.

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.

MP3 encoding is as fast or faster than the other boards tested as well, with both compilers.

MP3 decoding using the Microsoft compiler shows a slightly slower trend than the Intel compiled LAME 3.97, and again we see the single card configuration losing out to Sapphire's PC-AM2RD580 board when it's set up with two X1900's in CrossFire.