How does xp use dual core?
Discussion
Just started using a dual core P4 machine at work, well I'm presuming it's dual core - two processors show up in windows.
However when I'm doing intensive work it can be seen in task manager the process is only taking up 50% of the processing ability. While this is great for multi-tasking (and surfing PH while number-crunching!) i'd prefer if all the processing power is used for the intensive task!
Is there settings I can change to take advantage of the power available or is this simply how dual core works, and benefit is seen in multi-tasking rather than outright grunt?
However when I'm doing intensive work it can be seen in task manager the process is only taking up 50% of the processing ability. While this is great for multi-tasking (and surfing PH while number-crunching!) i'd prefer if all the processing power is used for the intensive task!
Is there settings I can change to take advantage of the power available or is this simply how dual core works, and benefit is seen in multi-tasking rather than outright grunt?
Cheers Greg/Aldi
It could well just be hyperthreading rather than dual core, given the age - it's definitely not a core 2 duo.
Sounds like there is no way of using "full power" as it were, I don't think I'll go messing with the bios for the sake of small increases! I tried getting around it by opening two copies of the software, but the licensing seems to clever to le me do that. Still, at least PH runs at full speed while I'm running simulations!
I'm amazed how little I understand about todays computers though - I remember upgrading our DX2/66 at home to an AMD K7 and understanding everything at that time, now just choosing a graphics card seems more complicated that specing and carrying out that upgrade!
It could well just be hyperthreading rather than dual core, given the age - it's definitely not a core 2 duo.
Sounds like there is no way of using "full power" as it were, I don't think I'll go messing with the bios for the sake of small increases! I tried getting around it by opening two copies of the software, but the licensing seems to clever to le me do that. Still, at least PH runs at full speed while I'm running simulations!
I'm amazed how little I understand about todays computers though - I remember upgrading our DX2/66 at home to an AMD K7 and understanding everything at that time, now just choosing a graphics card seems more complicated that specing and carrying out that upgrade!
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