Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6800

In our custom LAME MT MP3 encoding test, we convert a large WAV file to the MP3 format, which is a very popular scenario that many end users work with on a day-to-day basis to provide portability and storage of their digital audio content. 

LAME MT MP3 Encoding Test
Converting a Large WAV To MP3

In this test, we created our own 223MB WAV file (a never-ending Grateful Dead jam) and converted it to the MP3 format using the multi-thread capable LAME MT application in single and multi-thread modes. Processing times are recorded below. Once again, shorter times equate to better performance.

 

Although its clock speed is similar to the Core 2 Extreme X6800, the new QX6800 trailed the flagship dual-core processor by a couple of seconds in the multi-threaded portion of this test, which we should note run in only two threads maximum.  In single threaded mode, the two chips performed identically, but in MT mode - likely due to contention for resources or Windows scheduling issues - the QX6800 falls slightly behind.

Sony Vegas Digital Video Rendering Test
Video Rendering Performance

Sony's Vegas DV editing software is heavily multithreaded as it processes and mixes both audio and video streams. This is a new breed of digital video editing software that takes full advantage of current dual and multi-core processor architectures.

The Core 2 Extreme QX6800 put up the best score in the Sony Vegas benchmark, outpacing the previous champion QX6700 by about 9 seconds. The pseudo quad-core Quad FX rigs put up a good fight here as well, but the Intel chips still held onto a sizable lead.


Tags:  Intel, Core 2, Core, Xtreme, extreme, x6, XT, 680, eme, QX
Marco Chiappetta

Marco Chiappetta

Marco's interest in computing and technology dates all the way back to his early childhood. Even before being exposed to the Commodore P.E.T. and later the Commodore 64 in the early ‘80s, he was interested in electricity and electronics, and he still has the modded AFX cars and shop-worn soldering irons to prove it. Once he got his hands on his own Commodore 64, however, computing became Marco's passion. Throughout his academic and professional lives, Marco has worked with virtually every major platform from the TRS-80 and Amiga, to today's high end, multi-core servers. Over the years, he has worked in many fields related to technology and computing, including system design, assembly and sales, professional quality assurance testing, and technical writing. In addition to being the Managing Editor here at HotHardware for close to 15 years, Marco is also a freelance writer whose work has been published in a number of PC and technology related print publications and he is a regular fixture on HotHardware’s own Two and a Half Geeks webcast. - Contact: marco(at)hothardware(dot)com

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