P4 HyperThreading compatibility

[deanx0r]

Hi,

I'd like to ask to all P4 users what they think about HyperThreading.

I currently have a 845E motherboard (gigabyte) with a P4 2.53GHz. The system is fast enough for me except when it comes to heavy multitasking. It would sometimes lag when handling 3 millions headers newsgroups or when browsing with an encoding in background. I am looking for a P4 HT at 2.53GHz or more.
Is HT worth the upgrade?

Also, is it fine to use P4 rated with 800MHz FSB on 533MHz FSB motherboards (845E chipset)?

Thanks in advance.

 

[ntrights]

It's worth it IMO! Duvie has done extensive benches see the sticky on top of this forum ..you could always get a 533fsb 3.06 comes with HT and should work with your chipset (check the gigabyte website) ..not sure if the 845E can handle a p4C chip though.

 

[ntrights]

The Intel® 845E supporting Hyper-Threading Technology

 

[redpriest_]

HT is not 100% compatable with *every* app out there - there are a couple games that won't even run with it turned on - but that's the best part, you can just turn it off if you run into that sort of issue. These issues are far and few between, so it's generally best to leave it turned on.

 

[CraigRT]

me thinks you should just buy a true dual CPU setup (that would REALLY show some gains with HT !!
in all seriousness though, i personally couldn't see how it could be worthwhile, but i am not 100% certain.

 

[Tom]

it's worthwhile because most applications do not tax the power of the cpu, so it's very likely that there is plenty of reserve for the one cpu to do more work.

Windows XP itself can use some of this capabiltiy, I believe, so even when using apps that don't natively support multi-tasking there is still some benefit.

As far as your upgrading question, if you use an 800fsb processor with a 533 fsb motherboard the cpu will be underclocked quite a bit, so it's not a good idea. The cpus use different multipliers

your 2.53 is 19 times 133 (533/4, because cpu bus is quad-pumped).

an 800fsb 2.6 is 13 times 200 (800/4).

So if you put the 2.6 in your motherboard it will run at 13 times 133 which is 1.7, not good.

As to whether or not it's "worth it" that is very subjective and depends on how much it actually costs you. To do it right with your motherboard you would probably want to get the 3.06, the only 533 fsb chip with hyperthreading, minus what you would get from selling your 2.53.

The increase in speed from 2.53 to 3.06 plus hyperthreading is worth something, if it was me I would say it's worth $50 but not worth $100, so it all depends on what you can sell a 2.53 for.

 

[oldfart]

Dont use an 800 MHz FSB CPU on the 845E. A 3.06 would be your best bet.

 

[Todd33]

I just dropped a 3.06 into my 845E Asus MB. I had a 2.4. XP shows two CPUs in task manager and all works great. Nice little bump for $230 shipped. No hassle with a new MB, memory, etc. Now to sell my 2.4 on eBay...

 

[deanx0r]

Thx for the replies.

Also... Do I need to use WinXP in order to enable HT? I am currently using W2k Pro.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: redpriest_
HT is not 100% compatable with *every* app out there - there are a couple games that won't even run with it turned on - but that's the best part, you can just turn it off if you run into that sort of issue. These issues are far and few between, so it's generally best to leave it turned on.

Name one game that wont run with HT enabled.

 

[Acanthus]

Originally posted by: deanx0r
Thx for the replies.

Also... Do I need to use WinXP in order to enable HT? I am currently using W2k Pro.

2k pro works with HT but is not "officially supported". Intel reccomends Windows XP.

 

[ntrights]

Originally posted by: deanx0r
Thx for the replies.

Also... Do I need to use WinXP in order to enable HT? I am currently using W2k Pro.

Not for enabling HT thats done in bios, but for proper HT support XP (it depends on your particular board and bios version how we´ll it will work with 2k. Also install and Enable HT first then install win2k!! You got better chance of getting it work properly then ..) is the way to go. XP's scheduler is sort of optimised for HT w2k can recognize multi-processors physically, but not logically XP/2k3 can distinguishe between virtual and physical cpu's.Both winxp and w2k3 use CPUID to identify HT processors and are therefore truely HT aware.