I could get a xvid converted in 45-60 minutes if I use the single-pass mode, but I use the 2-pass mode for better quality, and I'm talking about converting a dvd(vob's) to xvid. Converting mpeg2 files I record off my tuner card, the phenom will convert a two hour movie in 25 minutes (single pass mode). The phenoms and the intels quads are not that far apart except in video encoding and even there it's not that much of a difference if you only do occasional video encoding.
video encodeing is all i use my system for its what i built it for. when converting xvid to vob/vt_s, i allways do 2 passes. and when i use dvd-rebuilder to rebuild a 7gb+ disc to fit onto a dvd5 disc i use 3-6 passes. 3 passes takes about 36 mins.since haveing this Q9550 i just did a 7gb movie in 21mins. 2 passes heres a link to the log/post. http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_jump.cfm/335628/4759593
jony: The phenom IIs and Core 2 Quads are similar for video encoding. The original Phenoms are useless though. Only the fastest 9950BE is competition for intel's slowest quad, the Q6600. The rest can only rival the dual cores. The slowest Phenoms are even beaten by E8000 series dual core CPUs.
The Intel coolers are a cinch to mount imo. I just got an Arctic Freezer Pro 7 which has the same mounting brackets as the standard Intel CPU cooler. Well they feel a bit more sturdy tbh.
They're basically the same, I looked The good thing about them, is if you double and triple check they're on right, they won't come off. If you don't however, different story...