Media Content Encoding
Video codec copes pretty well with multi-threaded workload that is why quad-core processors show their real best in corresponding benchmarks. Core 2 Quad Q9300 outperforms dual-core processors in all tests except audio encoding into MP3 format (that uses maximum two cores). However, the balance between Core 2 Quad Q9300 working at 3.5GHz and Core 2 Quad Q6600 overclocked to 3.6GHz is not always steady. For example, XviD 1.2 codec works faster in a system with an older CPU despite all the improvements and enhancements of the new Yorkfield processor. But when the new versions of these codecs start supporting SSE4.1 instructions, Core 2 Quad Q9300 should become a more confident winner.
