Intel Sandy Bridge VA-API Video Acceleration Performance

Aside from a few brief CPU frequency spikes to the stock 3.3GHz frequency when utilizing X-Video acceleration, the Intel Core i5 2500K tended to stay at its lowest Enhanced Intel SpeedStep Technology (EIST) stepping of 1600MHz when playing back the 1080p video and no other multi-tasking happening from the Linux desktop.

The Core i5 2500K die temperature was not dramatically different with the various video playback methods. The power consumption, unfortunately, could not be easily plotted in an automated manner since we weren't running the tests from a mobile/battery-backed device and our AC power meters don't interface with the PC for automatic monitoring by the Phoronix Test Suite.