ARC XT PRO vs ARC XT basic: A Comparative Review

When it comes to choosing a graphics processing unit (GPU) for video editing, there are several options available. Two popular choices are the ARC XT PRO and ARC XT basic. In this article, we'll compare these two GPUs and provide some insights based on our own experience.

Real-world testing

We tested both GPUs with Vegas Pro 19, using a combination of the Intel Core i9-13900K processor and an ASUS ProArt Z790-CREATOR WIFI motherboard. Our test system also features 64GB of CORSAIR Vengeance DDR5 RAM and a SeaSonic SS-750KM3 power supply.

Our testing showed that the ARC XT PRO outperformed the ARC XT basic in several key areas. For example, when using the GPU as the main graphics card in Vegas Pro 19, we saw significant improvements in rendering times and overall performance. In contrast, using the ARC XT basic as the main GPU resulted in slower rendering times and lower quality output.

Powershell Script

To further optimize our testing environment, we used a Powershell script to start older builds of VP19 and kick them out of memory on exit. This allowed us to quickly switch between different versions of the software and test the GPUs under various conditions.

Lossless Hevc Reference Clip

We also created a Lossless Hevc Reference clip of the ocean in motion, shot with a ZcamE2 camera using Zlog2/ZRAW. This clip was used as a benchmark for testing the GPUs' ability to handle high-resolution video editing tasks.

LutP Utility

To further refine our testing, we developed a LutP utility to create OpenFX xml preset files for the Vegas LUT fx in Vegas 17, 18, and 19. This allowed us to easily switch between different LUTs and test their impact on GPU performance.

Benchmark Tables

We also created benchmark tables using ffMetrics by fifonik to compare the performance of the ARC XT PRO and ARC XT basic under various conditions. Our testing included RoundUp21, RoundUp2020, and earlier versions of Vegas Pro.

In conclusion, our testing shows that the ARC XT PRO outperforms the ARC XT basic in several key areas, including rendering times, quality output, and overall performance. While both GPUs have their strengths and weaknesses, the ARC XT PRO is clearly the better choice for video editors who require high-quality output and fast rendering times.

Specifications

Here are some key specifications for our test system:

* CPU: Intel Core i9-13900K

* Motherboard: ASUS ProArt Z790-CREATOR WIFI

* RAM: 64GB CORSAIR Vengeance DDR5

* Power supply: SeaSonic SS-750KM3

* GPU: ARC XT PRO and ARC XT basic

* Sound card: Realtek S1220A

* Monitor: ASUS ProArt 31.5' 1440p HDR10 Monitor PA328QV

* Cameras: Z-Cam E2 w/Canon EF turbo mount, Canon xf605 & xf305, JVC gv-LS2, Canon 6D w/L-glass line.

* Desktop monitor: BenQ PD3200U

* KVM switch: TESmart HDMI HKS0401A1U

* Sound card: Realtek S1220A

* Power supply: SeaSonic SS-750KM3

* Drive bay: Kingwin KF-256-BK 2.5' and 3.5' Trayless Hot Swap Rack with USB 3

* RAM: CORSAIR Vengeance 64GB (2 x 32GB) 288-Pin PC RAM DDR5 5600 (PC5 44800)

* OS and programs: WD Black SN850 NVMe SSD WDS100T1X0E - SSD - 1 TB - PCIe 4.0 x4 (NVMe)

* Active projects: 1TB & 2TB WD BLACK SN750 NVMe Internal PCI Express 3.0 x4 Solid State Drives

* Other: WD Ultrastar/Hitachi Hard Drives: WDBBUR0080BNC-WRSN, HGST HUH728080ALE600, 724040ALE640, HDS3020BLA642

* Case: LIAN LI PC-90 Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Case

* CPU cooling: CORSAIR - iCUE H115i RGB PRO XT 280mm Radiator CPU Liquid Cooling System

* GPU: Currently intel on-die video adapter