AMD has launched a new top-end CPU, equipped with a whopping 64 cores: the Threadripper 3990X. In this article we will look at how this new chip performs in Agisoft Metashape, compared to a variety of Intel and AMD’s other desktop processors.
What is the Best CPU for Photogrammetry (2019)
Picking the processor, or CPU, is one of the most important decisions when building or buying a workstation – but there are dozens of options to pick from at any given point, with varying specifications and price points, so making the right choice isn’t always clear-cut. We’ve tested all of the latest processors from Intel and AMD across three popular photogrammetry applications to help you know what the best choice is for your next system.
Agisoft Metashape CPU Performance: Intel Core X-10000 vs AMD Threadripper 3rd Gen
Intel and AMD have both launched new lines of high-end desktop processors, with different approaches to increasing value. AMD’s 3rd Gen Threadripper CPUs are based on a newer microarchitecture, bringing better performance for around the same price as previous models. Intel, on the other hand, focused on reducing price while still using the same underlying technology as their last series. We tested both to see which approach gives the best results in Agisoft Metashape.
Metashape 1.5.5 CPU Performance: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X
Metashape, formerly known as PhotoScan, is a photogrammetry program that takes a set of images and combines them to create a 3D model or map. Processing of those images into point clouds and 3D meshes/textures is time-consuming, heavily using a computer’s CPU and GPU. With the release of AMD’s latest Ryzen 9 3950X processor, which combines a high core count with good per-core performance, we wanted to see how it and its sibling 3900X fare in this application compare to the reigning champ: Intel’s Core i9 9900K.
Threadripper 2990WX Photogrammetry Performance: Windows 10 1809 vs 1903 & CorePrio
When the performance of AMD’s Threadripper processors is brought up, the discussion can often turn toward some of the oddities of this CPU’s architecture and how it interacts with thread scheduling in Windows 10. That is something which AMD has attempted to improve with their Ryzen Master software, and which has been partially addressed by Microsoft as well (via Windows updates). Some folks in the wider AMD enthusiast community have tried to tackle this issue too.
Metashape 1.5.1: NVIDIA GeForce, Titan, and AMD Radeon Performance Comparison
Metashape, formerly known as PhotoScan, is a photogrammetry program that takes a set of images and combines them to create a 3D model or map. Processing of those images into point clouds and 3D meshes/textures is time-consuming, heavily using a computer’s CPU and GPU. We have recently updated our benchmark tools to support Metashape, along with new image sets to test, so now we are taking a look at how different NVIDIA and AMD video cards perform in this application.
Metashape 1.5.1: Intel Core i7 & Core i9 vs AMD Threadripper Performance
Metashape, formerly known as PhotoScan, is a photogrammetry program that takes a set of images and combines them to create a 3D model or map. Processing of those images into point clouds and 3D meshes/textures is time-consuming, heavily using a computer’s CPU and GPU. We have updated our benchmark tools, following the recent rebranding of this software, so in our first article focusing on the new Metashape we will take a look at how Intel’s Core i7 and i9 processors stack up against AMD’s Threadripper chips.
Windows 10 Security Patch Slowed Intel Core i9 9900K in Pix4D, Metashape, & RealityCapture
Over the last couple of years, several new vulnerabilities have been found in modern microprocessor architectures. Many of these have been related to speculative execution techniques used across most of Intel’s product line, and a patch was released for Windows 10 last week which was intended to address some of those weaknesses. Unfortunately, it has also reduced performance in some applications – which this article will demonstrate by comparing processing speed in three photogrammetry programs before and after the update.
Metashape Benchmark
Here at Puget Systems, we have put together a benchmark utility for Agisoft Metashape which measures system performance for photogrammetry by running two small projects – a model and a map – and tracking the time each step takes to process. This benchmark is freely available to download, though running it requires a valid installation of Metashape.
