>I'm looking at buying a dual processor system to run Windows 2000 Pro. I
>realize that programs have to be specifically built to take advantage of
>dual processors, and few are, but what I'm wondering - if I'm, for example,
>rendering an animation which just has a single thread, that processor will
>be running at 99-100% utilization, but is the OS smart enough to load other
>tasks to the other processor, so my system will still be responsive?

I have an Abit BP6 dual-PPGA celeron system (clocked at 541Mhz) running
w2k pro. W2k does a great job of keeping both processors busy. If one is
performing an intensive task, w2k will schedule other processes/tasks to
start on the other CPU. I have Seti@Home running on one CPU all the time,
and my interactive programs don't suffer at all.

Russ Poffenberger               Engineering Specialist
Schlumberger Technologies ATE   DOMAIN: [log in to unmask]
1601 Technology Drive
San Jose, Ca. 95110             Voice: (408)437-5254  FAX: (408)437-5246

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