Overview
Computer hardware can affect how quickly CaseGuard Studio processes long audio recordings. To compare processor performance, the same 1.5-hour audio file was processed on two desktop systems: one with an Intel Core i7 processor and one with an Intel Core i9 processor.
Both systems were configured with 32 GB of RAM and an NVMe SSD.
Performance Comparison
| Metric |
Intel Core i7 Desktop |
Intel Core i9 Desktop |
| RAM |
32 GB |
32 GB |
| Import |
1 min 2 sec |
48 sec |
| AI Search |
13 min 18 sec |
10 min 41 sec |
| Export |
39 min 12 sec |
33 min 46 sec |
| CPU Utilization |
31% |
28% |
| Memory Utilization |
48% |
46% |
| Storage |
NVMe SSD |
NVMe SSD |
The Core i9 system completed each stage faster. Import was 14 seconds faster, AI Search was 2 minutes and 37 seconds faster, and export was 5 minutes and 26 seconds faster.
Import Performance
The Core i7 system imported the 1.5-hour audio file in 1 minute and 2 seconds, while the Core i9 completed the same import in 48 seconds.
This 14-second difference demonstrates that processor performance can affect import time. However, storage also plays an important role because CaseGuard must read the source file and write temporary data during processing.
Because both systems used NVMe SSDs, the processor was a more significant variable in this comparison.
AI Search Performance
AI Search showed a larger performance difference between the two systems.
The Core i7 completed AI Search in 13 minutes and 18 seconds, compared with 10 minutes and 41 seconds on the Core i9. The Core i9 therefore completed the operation 2 minutes and 37 seconds faster.
The systems recorded CPU utilization of 31% on the Core i7 and 28% on the Core i9 during the measured workload. CPU utilization was not higher on the faster system because overall utilization does not directly indicate how efficiently a processor completes a workload.
AI Search can involve intensive processing, making processor architecture, core performance, and the specific CPU model important factors.
Export Performance
Export produced the largest difference between the two systems.
The Core i7 required 39 minutes and 12 seconds to export the processed 1.5-hour recording, while the Core i9 required 33 minutes and 46 seconds.
The Core i9 therefore completed the export 5 minutes and 26 seconds faster.
Because export involves processing and writing the resulting file, both the processor and storage can affect performance. Since both systems used NVMe SSDs, the faster processor contributed to the difference observed during this test.
Processor Performance
The test results demonstrate the importance of the processor for audio processing.
The Core i9 completed:
- Import 14 seconds faster
- AI Search 2 minutes and 37 seconds faster
- Export 5 minutes and 26 seconds faster
The largest improvement occurred during export, followed by AI Search. This indicates that processor performance becomes particularly relevant during longer, more computationally intensive operations.
The specific processor model is also important. Core i7 and Core i9 processors can vary significantly by generation, core count, clock speed, and power characteristics.
RAM Performance
Both systems were equipped with 32 GB of RAM. Memory utilization was measured at 48% on the Core i7 system and 46% on the Core i9 system.
The similar memory utilization indicates that the additional processing performance of the Core i9 did not require significantly more system memory for this workload.
The results also show why increasing RAM alone would not necessarily produce the same performance improvement observed between these two systems. Both systems had sufficient memory available during testing, while processing time differed primarily between the processor configurations.
For users regularly processing large audio files or running multiple applications alongside CaseGuard Studio, 32 GB of RAM provides sufficient capacity for this type of workload.
SSD Storage
Both systems used an NVMe SSD, helping provide fast access to the 1.5-hour audio file and the data generated during processing.
Because storage hardware was comparable between the two systems, the differences in import, AI Search, and export times were not primarily caused by differences in storage.
For CaseGuard Studio, active projects should be processed from local SSD storage whenever possible. Network storage can introduce additional latency and network-related variables that can affect processing performance.
GPU
The GPU is generally less important for basic audio processing than it is for video processing.
The results from this audio comparison show that the processor was an important factor in the measured processing times. For an audio-focused workstation, investing in a strong CPU, sufficient RAM, and fast local storage is therefore important.
A dedicated GPU becomes more relevant when the workflow includes CaseGuard features that use GPU-accelerated AI processing or when the same workstation is also used for video redaction.
CPU and Memory Utilization
CPU and memory utilization were monitored throughout the test.
The Core i7 system recorded 31% CPU utilization and 48% memory utilization, while the Core i9 system recorded 28% CPU utilization and 46% memory utilization.
Despite the Core i9 completing the processing tasks faster, its overall CPU utilization was slightly lower. This demonstrates that utilization percentage alone should not be used to determine which system is performing better.
Processing time provides a more direct measure of how quickly CaseGuard completed each operation, while CPU and memory utilization help explain how system resources were being used during the workload.
Cooling
Long audio-processing operations can place a sustained workload on the processor. Adequate cooling helps maintain consistent processor performance throughout operations such as AI Search and export.
This is particularly important for desktop systems used for repeated or extended CaseGuard processing jobs.
Recommended Configuration
Based on the test results, a workstation intended primarily for CaseGuard audio processing should include:
| Component |
Recommended Configuration |
| Processor |
Modern Intel Core i7 or Core i9 desktop processor |
| RAM |
32 GB or more |
| Storage |
1 TB or larger NVMe SSD |
| GPU |
Dedicated GPU for GPU-accelerated AI workloads |
| Active project location |
Local SSD |
A Core i7 provides strong performance for regular audio processing, while the Core i9 demonstrated shorter processing times across all three measured operations in this comparison.
Conclusion
The 1.5-hour audio test demonstrated measurable performance differences between the two desktop configurations. The Core i9 completed import 14 seconds faster, AI Search 2 minutes and 37 seconds faster, and export 5 minutes and 26 seconds faster than the Core i7.
If you have any questions regarding hardware for audio files in CaseGuard Studio, feel free to reach out to our Support Team at [email protected].