Intel Core i7-2600K and i5-2500K Processors Debut
LAME MT Audio Encoding
In our custom LAME MT MP3 encoding test, we convert a large WAV file to the MP3 format, which is a 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 is an open-source mid to high bit-rate and VBR (variable bit rate) MP3 audio encoder that is used widely around the world in a multitude of third party applications.
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In this test, we created our own 223MB WAV file (a hallucinogenically-induced 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, listed in seconds. Shorter times equate to better performance.
According to our custom LAME MT benchmark, it appears the new Sandy Bridge microarchitecture is very well suited to audio encoding. The Core i5-2500K and Core i7-2600K put up the best scores in this test, outpacing even the Core i7-980X. This workload uses a maximum of only two threads, so the new Core i5-2500K and Core i7-2600K's architectural enhancements, in addition to their relatively high Turbo boost clock speeds, help propel them to the lead here. 
