Real-World Applications
Currently quad-core processors offer no real benefits over dual-core processors in games. They do excel however in powerful video editing and graphics design applications. The QX6700 was 10% faster in Adobe Photoshop CS2 when compared to the X6800 while the Q6600 was just one second faster. Those that use this graphic design program using a Pentium D or equivalent can expect to work around 37% faster with a Q6600 processor.
Massive performance benefits were seen in Pinnacle's Studio Plus as the Q6600 was 34% faster than the X6800. That's a 34% time saving when rendering videos, which I am sure anyone that uses Studio Plus regularly will really appreciate. What's more shocking is the fact that the QX6700 was more than twice as fast as the Pentium D 950.
Exporting a high-quality movie from QuickTime took just 7:21 minutes when using the Q6600, making it just 4% faster than the X6800.
Rendering a 3D scene in 3D Studio Max took just 49 seconds when using the Q6600, making it 32% faster than the X6800 and 63% faster than the Pentium D 950. This is once again a massive performance gain and those that use Autodesk's 3D Studio Max will surely appreciate these kinds of performance gains.