CPU vs. GPU: Which is Better for AI Video Redaction?

Introduction:

What is the difference in the performance for AI Video redaction when using a CPU vs. a GPU? While Redaction is possible on many different devices, the time it takes to do so can differ greatly depending on your hardware. It’s no secret that the stronger your computer is, the faster it can carry out intense processes. In this article, we’ll explore the differences in hardware and what the benefits are of having better hardware.

When dealing with modern computing, two main components play into speed and performance: the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The CPU exists at the heart of every processing device, being utilized for all sorts of general-purpose tasks. Every computer, laptop, and smartphone has a CPU at its core to interpret, process, and carry out instructions given by the user. 

On the other hand, the GPU was originally created to render complex graphics in games. While this is still part of its functionality today, it is also utilized as a processing powerhouse. CPUs mainly handle tasks one at a time, making them easy to overload. GPUs are different in this way, as they have the power to process many tasks at the same time without becoming overwhelmed. This is why GPU is ideal for tasks that require massive amounts of processing at once. Tasks that GPUs can handle range from 3D rendering to video redaction, making them valuable tools for lots of different programs. These elements make them invaluable for high-performance applications. 

CaseGuard can identify the hardware in your machine and use it to optimize AI video detection based on your processing unit. This is important to know when trying to figure out how long video redaction tasks will take. While CaseGuard can run tasks on both CPU and GPU, it may vary in the time it takes to process tasks based on your machine. 

Redacting videos using AI detection can be slow when not using a GPU. CaseGuard’s AI Video detection uses the machine’s GPU when available to quickly and accurately redact any type of video. This case study compares the AI video detection speed of a 4-minute video using a CPU vs. GPU. It also compares the speeds when classification is enabled in the AI detection advanced settings. 

What are the Time Differences?

Below is a table that covers the speed difference of redacting a 4-minute video between a computer with a Nvidia 4070 vs. a computer with no GPU. 

As you can see, there is quite a big difference in time taken with a GPU vs. without. When using a dedicated GPU for your video redaction requests, a 4-minute video only took 3 minutes and 5 seconds. Without a GPU, the same video took 1 hour 3 minutes, and 39 seconds. 

Conclusion:

CaseGuard highly recommends having a computer with a GPU to save you hours’ worth of redaction time. With that said, not all GPUs are created equally, please view our Graphics card recommendation documentation to find what card will work best for you and your redaction needs. If you have any questions about CaseGuard Studio or hardware capabilites, please reach out to [email protected].