dnd

My home computer is running Windows XP Home, and has two 3.4GHz P4 Processors.
(when we first bought it, i thought it was a single processor, but looking under device manager two processors are listed)

Have been searching around on how to configure them for best performace but haven't had much luck.
Any recommendations on the best set up (and how to set it up!)
This is the computer:
http://vaio.sony-europe.com/view/Sho...ry=VD+V+Series

cheers.
DnD

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VitaminChemE

i believe your computer only has one processor. open it up and visually check just to be sure

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Lasereth

Yeah, there's no way a store-built computer would have two processors. I don't think any type of P4 is capable of running on a dual processor system either. Xeon and Opterons perhaps, but not a P4.

-Lasereth

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Craven Morehead

I have a HyperThread Intel chip in my Dell and it shows as two processors when its only one.

cyrnel

If you think that's bad, dual-core chips show as four.

Nothing special to optimize. The usual RAM & HD optimization always helps.

Here's Intel's overview of HT:
http://www.intel.com/technology/hyperthread/

Individual productivity apps won't show a dramatic difference but many of those run nicely on fairly old boxes. Where you'll really notice the improvement is on anything that taxes the processor and was written to take advantage of multiple thread execution. Or, crunching with two intensive apps at the same time.

People running single-threaded grid apps have become fond of HT for this reason. It isn't a two-fold increase since not all processor functions are duplicated, and there's overhead, but 50-75% net gain isn't unusual.

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bendsley

DND:
In the link you provided, the CPU spec says Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology 3.40E GHz.

You have only one physical processor. Windows (and other OSs) will see this as 2 processors, because of the HyperThreading the processor is capable of.

There is nothing you need to do to "configure" Windows or any other software.

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dnd

Thanks for all your help guys.
It is as i suspected, single processor. Was duped into thinking i had two by windows.
Vitamin, if you have a quick look at the link you'll see why i don't really fancy opening up the PC.
Cheers
DnD

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VitaminChemE

so the computer is hidden behind the screen, ala a laptop of sorts? yea, i wouldn't want to open that either

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