Dual Processors?

[cpals]

My friend gave me a dual Pentium II 400 computer and I was wondering about it. For it to be able to utilize both processors the software has to be built for it, correct? So just running WinXP and regular programs will be just like using a PII 400 by itself? I've never had a dually so was wondering about the technicalities of it.

Thanks.

 

[AnImuS]

Yes the software has to be coded for SMP (Duals) Inorder to maximize the potential of both cpus..
The biggest benefit of dual procs is multitasking... You system will run smoother because it can spread the work over the cpus... Things like encoding/decoding which usually use 100% of the cpu would allow you to continue using your pc without slowdowns... Windows will send seperate threads to each cpu to keep them busy...

 

[cpals]

Is WinXP optimized for dual processors? 'cause on the computer I opened task manager and it only showed the normal one processor look. I thought it was supposed to show two different graphs?

 

[Fiveohhh]

do you have xp pro or home? Only Pro supports SMP.

 

[cpals]

Pro

 

[AnImuS]

In taskmanager in the performance tab...
Click view>cpu history>one graph per cpu

If that doesnt work try this:
HERE

Even though it says Win2k it should work for WinXP...

Btw did you install a fresh OS on it?
If none of the above steps work then you will have to reinstall the OS to properly detect both cpus...

 

[MrEgo]

With the dual 400's you can run Internet Explorer 1.0 while flawlessly creating your dream city on Sim City Classic.