CPU-Usage Benchmarks: H.264 Codec
With video quality out of the way, let's examine video performance. To keep things fair and a little clear, we'll split up the results between AMD and Intel platforms. First, the AMD motherboards:
At this point, we think it's important to remind readers that we had to turn the GeForce 8200 noise reduction off because its video output stuttered when it was enabled. With this in mind, note that the AMD 785G and 790GX are achieving a notably lower CPU utilization while effectively rendering noise cancellation.
Sure, there is a spike in the GeForce 8200 and 785G results, but this is nothing to be concerned about, as the total CPU utilization is so low for these processors. The 790GX manages similar results without a spike.
Now let's examine the Intel processor results:
Both the Intel G45 and GeForce 9300 boards are delivering low CPU utilization. The Intel usage is slightly higher, but in the big scheme of things, it's hardly worth mentioning. Note that we included results on the GeForce board with both the buggy 190.38 driver and the working 182.5 driver. The CPU utilization is lower with the new driver, likely because it isn't handling the same workload (remember, those drivers are "broken" for playback).
- Graphics,
- avivo ,
- purevideo ,
- clearvideo
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"To do this, we will use the Blu-ray dick Sunshine, which utilizes the H.264 codec and features PIP commentary during playback."
lmao
So Intel's offering isn't good enough, and needs to come upto scratch to be able to perform with the competition. If AMD can be criticised in this way with some (not all) of their portfolio, so should Intel
Small error on page 2: GF9300/9400 is listed as IGP for AMD CPU's.
i cant find a bluray compatible player that ever looks good they always make bluray look like dvds
so i just end up ripping it to hard disk and then watch it with ffdshow enhancements. looks way better and i dont think you have to worry about all the gpu based stuff (or you can use DXVA on MPC-home theatre.) but i guess this article really applies to low end systems not quad core machines whith plenty of power to spare 
Nice article there Don
Good bit about the AMD AoHDMI issue: if you're that worried about top-quality 7.1 over HDMI you're probably better off with a Xonar anyway! 
Great to find this kind of article online but I'm confused, why would you need to enable noise reduction to play a Blue-ray disc on your 1080p screen - surely the Blue-ray disc is already encoded at the very best of picture quality?! (I have an 8200 chipset with the lovely AMD 4850e and was considering the purchase of a blue ray drive.)