>HT only works in XP or 2003 Server

This is not correct.  HT "works" with any multi-processor build of Windows
NT-based OS.  With XP and 2003 it works BETTER because those systems know
the difference between a virtual processor and a physical processor.   NT
and 2000 will not schedule the virtual processors as efficiently.

>applications must be written to support HT

This is not necessary to experience improved performance.  Windows NT is a
multi-tasking OS that can do more than one thing at a time and when multiple
processes or threads are active at once they can run on different virtual
processors.   The result will be overall greater performance than a non-HT
processor of the same speed.  Granted, it's not that much greater, but
Windows will keep both "processors" going.

Carl

-----Original Message-----
From: PCBUILD - Personal Computer Hardware discussion List
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mark Rode
Sent: Wednesday, August 18, 2004 12:37 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [PCBUILD] Processor types

David G. explained the core differences , however, in order to run HT, the
motherboard must be able to support HT. In fact, HT is a BIOS function that
can be enabled or disabled, and appears as such at POST. Look to what CPU
the motherboard supports, if the CPU has HT then the board will support HT.
Any motherboard manual, which should be available as a pdf, will state
whether or not it supports Hyperthreading under "features"

Keep in mind that HT only works in XP or 2003 Server, and that applications
must be written to support HT. When you install a HT processor on a XP
system you will see two CPUs in Device manager, and in TaskManager, for
each physical HT CPUs. With a single HT CPU the computer will think it is
running a dual CPU setup.

Of course, performance, or even behavior, with a single HT processor, will
not be anywhere near what  a real dual processor setup is like. However,
when HT works, it works very well, delivering performance increase of
around 15 percent. An example of an application  that supports HT well is
Ulead Video Studio. But there is also a problem with some applications that
do not like running in a HT environment. Some of the ATI multimedia drivers
stumble with HT. Hyperthreading is a good thing, but they are still sorting
out issues with it, and will be for a while.

Rode
The NOSPIN Group
http://freepctech.com


>Ok, I have a question, what is the difference between the P4 2.4 Northwood
>core and the others? I just want a good chip. Also if the chip is
>Hyper-threading enabled, does the motherboard have to be also? The
>motherboard I have is the Biostar P4SXQ currently running a Celeron on it
>but can support up to a P4 2.4 Doesn't mention anything about H/T, so I
have
>no clue if it would work on my board at all. Please advise soonest!

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