Performance Metrics - II

In this section, we mainly look at benchmark modes in programs used on a day-to-day basis, i.e, application performance and not synthetic workloads.

x264 Benchmark

First off, we have some video encoding benchmarks courtesy of x264 HD Benchmark v5.0. This is simply a test of CPU performance. As expected, the Core i7-6700-based ZBOX MAGNUS EN1080 comes out with leading numbers. Actual x264 encoding performance with the Skylake processors and using the latest x264 releases (with AVX512 support) is bound to be even better compared to the numbers below.

Video Encoding - x264 5.0 - Pass 1

Video Encoding - x264 5.0 - Pass 2

7-Zip

7-Zip is a very effective and efficient compression program, often beating out OpenCL accelerated commercial programs in benchmarks even while using just the CPU power. 7-Zip has a benchmarking program that provides tons of details regarding the underlying CPU's efficiency. In this subsection, we are interested in the compression and decompression MIPS ratings when utilizing all the available threads.

7-Zip LZMA Compression Benchmark

7-Zip LZMA Decompression Benchmark

TrueCrypt

As businesses (and even home consumers) become more security conscious, the importance of encryption can't be overstated. Almost all modern CPUs support AES-NI for acceleration of the cryptographic processes. The Core i7-6700 in the ZBOX MAGNUS EN1080 does have AES-NI support. TrueCrypt, a popular open-source disk encryption program can take advantage of the AES-NI capabilities. In the graph below, we can get an idea of how fast a TrueCrypt volume would behave in the Zotac ZBOX MAGNUS EN1080 and how it would compare with other select PCs. This is a purely CPU feature / clock speed based test.

TrueCrypt Benchmark

Agisoft Photoscan

Agisoft PhotoScan is a commercial program that converts 2D images into 3D point maps, meshes and textures. The program designers sent us a command line version in order to evaluate the efficiency of various systems that go under our review scanner. The command line version has two benchmark modes, one using the CPU and the other using both the CPU and GPU (via OpenCL). The benchmark takes around 50 photographs and does four stages of computation:

  • Stage 1: Align Photographs
  • Stage 2: Build Point Cloud (capable of OpenCL acceleration)
  • Stage 3: Build Mesh
  • Stage 4: Build Textures

We record the time taken for each stage. Since various elements of the software are single threaded, others multithreaded, and some use GPUs, it is interesting to record the effects of CPU generations, speeds, number of cores, DRAM parameters and the GPU using this software.

Results are similar to what we saw with the EN980. Given NVIDIA's focus on CUDA, Photoscan's use of OpenCL for GPU acceleration doesn't yield as much benefit as one would expect. However, in the CPU-bound stages, the ZBOX MAGNUS EN1080 comes out easily on top.

Agisoft PhotoScan Benchmark - Stage 1

Agisoft PhotoScan Benchmark - Stage 2

Agisoft PhotoScan Benchmark - Stage 3

Agisoft PhotoScan Benchmark - Stage 4

Dolphin Emulator

Wrapping up our application benchmark numbers is the Dolphin Emulator benchmark mode results. This is again a test of the CPU capabilities, and the Core i7-6700 has no trouble in completing the benchmark in the least time of all the SFF PCs that we have evaluated.

Dolphin Emulator Benchmark

Performance Metrics - I Gaming Benchmarks
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  • Michael Bay - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link

    There was a nice trend of posting size comparison pics with a can of soda and a cig pack.
    I really wish it came back.
  • BrokenCrayons - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link

    I want to oogle Ganesh's cans via review photos. :D

    Oooh! Maybe we should start a GoFundMe to soak up the cost of purchasing a can so there's no out-of-pocket expense. If we pull it off, it might be possible for the readers to get a look at everyone's cans.
  • cm2187 - Tuesday, December 20, 2016 - link

    Unfortunately a can of coke is not an international measure:
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beverage_can#Standar...
  • Renagade - Wednesday, December 21, 2016 - link

    how bout a tape measure, ruler, yard stick - something - perhaps with both metric and american markings? This way - EVERYONE wins and the international measure standards are covered
  • K_Space - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link

    I think those belonged to either Ian or Brandon (the cola can I think).... No one else got em!
    ¬_¬
  • cknobman - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link

    Cool system but IMO since a GTX 1080 is not quite enough for full blown 4k gaming then why waste all that money getting it.

    The best buy is the ZOTAC ZBOX MAGNUS EN1070 Gaming Mini PC, Intel Skylake Core i5-6400T which only costs $1200.

    GTX 1070 is powerful enough to handle anything 2k and below which is all you could really do comfortably with the 1080 version so most of that extra $800 would be going to waste.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M3062Z5/ref=psdc_1389...
  • TheinsanegamerN - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link

    It isnt enough for 4k, but it is enough for 1440p, or for 1080p for years from now. You could buy this with the knowledge that, at 1080p, say with a g sync monitor, you would not need to replace it for 5+ years.

    also, the 1070 is not enough to consistently max out 1440p, or do 1400p or 1080p consistent at 144 hz refresh rates. the 1080 isnt quite enough either, but its a heck of a lot closer.
  • cknobman - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link

    LOL no card can max out 1440 @144hz consistently (you even put it in your own post) so why waste $800 getting a 1080 when a 1070 is enough to get 60+fps in 1440 everywhere and will do any game @1080p (even lesser cards than that are more than enough for 1080)?

    Again IMO save $800 and get the 1070 config.
  • zenonu - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link

    My Titan X (P) hits 1440p 144Hz in a significant amount of games. The 1080 doesn't need to hit 1440p 144Hz consistently either to provide a significant amount of value from between 60Hz and 144Hz. There is a place for this product, and your own financial valuation of this product is generally only relevant to you.
  • LordanSS - Monday, December 19, 2016 - link

    1080p60 with SuperSampling. There.

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