Lowering transcoding CPU usage

I have a file server and for the most part things work wonderfully with serviio and some things transcode fine. However there are some files that just fail to transcode at a fast enough rate and CPU just sits at 100% and i get stuttering on the TV
Server is older 939 AMD64 4600+ and i fear its probably missing many of the CPU optimizations that are available in current generation processors.
What things can i adjust that decrease the strain?
Reducing target bitrate?
changing target containers/formats?
Or am i better just to sit down take the time and pre-transcode those files that don't play myself so that serviio can serve them direct without transcoding?
Server is older 939 AMD64 4600+ and i fear its probably missing many of the CPU optimizations that are available in current generation processors.
What things can i adjust that decrease the strain?
Reducing target bitrate?
changing target containers/formats?
Or am i better just to sit down take the time and pre-transcode those files that don't play myself so that serviio can serve them direct without transcoding?