According to the latest news on the web, Advanced Micro Devices’ upcoming Deneb processor is able to outperform Intel's Core 2 Quad processors in both gaming and multimedia performance, at times by more than 20 percent. AMD has released a document showing the performance levels of its Phenom II chips, including iTunes and Mainconcept.

The next-to-come processors have been compared in performance with Intel's chips on systems featuring HD3870 Graphic cards, Corsair CM2X1024-8500C5 1GX2 and Western Digital 1500ADFD. The Intel system included a DP35DP motherboard, while the AMD platform run MSI K9A2 Platinum. What the tests have unveiled is that the new Phenom II chips can deliver much higher levels of performance when it comes to multimedia processing.

Of course, the core speeds of the processors differ, as Intel's tested chips are the Core 2 Quad 9400 rated 2.66GHz and Q9300 running at 2.50GHz, while the Phenom II goes 3.00GHz, yet the multimedia applications used for testing are exactly those on which Intel emphasized. The software included Apple iTunes (WAV-to-AAC encode) – 7.60.0.29, MainConcept Encode version 1.0.0.0, POV-Ray RTR - 3.7 beta 25, Windows Movie Maker (jpg) Vista 32 and Windows Media Encoder 9 – 8.1.1.0.

The chart in the adjacent picture shows how well the AMD CPU can do compared to Intel's chips when it comes to multimedia performance. What should be noted is that the Q9400/Q9300 go at $266 each for 1,000 items, while Intel's Core i7 920 processor is priced at $284. Moreover, the upcoming Phenom II is expected to feature a smaller price tag.

If these test results are real, then Deneb might gain a lot of market share right from the beginning. It is already known that the chip is a great overclocker, while it should also be cheaper than some processors it can easily out pace. Basically, AMD seems to be about to release one of its greatest desktop processors ever.