Next we have video encoding tests in store for the new P4 6XX and Extreme Edition CPUs. The scores listed below were generated using an MPEG 2 format video clip converting it to DivX format with version 5.2.1 of the DiVX CODEC with the XMPEG utility. The results below are reported in frame rate speeds. Higher scores equal better performance.

Benchmarks with XMPEG / DivX v5.2.1 Video Encoding Performance

Note: P4 3.46GHz EE=Gallatin Core | P4 3.73GHz=Prescott 2M Core

As video and audio encoding have perennially been a strong suit for the P4, the results are no surprise to those of you who frequent sites such as HotHardware.com. Additionally, the newer version DiVX CODEC has better-than-ever Pentium 4 optimizations included now. Here all the P4s smoke the Athlon 64, and it's simply a clock-speed race in every case. The only somewhat significant data-point here is that the P4 660 is ever-so-slightly faster than the P4 560.

LAME MP3 Encoding Tests: Single & Multitasking Converting a Large WAV To MP3

In our custom Lame MP3 tests, we convert a large audio file to MP3 format, which is a very popular scenario that many end users work with on a regular basis. In this test, we chose a 223MB WAV file (a never-ending Grateful Dead jam) and converted it to an MP3. Processing times are recorded below. Shorter times equate to better performance.

Note: P4 3.46GHz EE=Gallatin Core | P4 3.73GHz=Prescott 2M Core

To coin a phrase from "Yogi," it's like deja-vu all over again", and the Gallatin core Extreme Edition P4 at 3.46GHz boasts the best score of the bunch, even besting the Athlon FX-55.  From there, once again, it's all about clock speeds among the P4s.  Even the new 6XX sequence chips don't offer any advantage over legacy Prescott cores in our Lame MP3 encode test.