Two windows in task manager

[jjet67]

I looked over different forums but couldn't find relevant information I'm looking for. Please bear with me as this is NOT related to the forum topic. If someone can point me to the forum topic which my question is related, I would greatly appreciate it.
I recently bought DELL 8300 with 3.2 Ghz CPU. I'm running a number crunching program for my study but I'm kinda disappointed by its performance. Contrary to my expectation, its speed seems to be slow. I have XP 1600+ which I overclocked to 2200+ and the difference between DELL 8300 and my AMD machince seems to be negligible. One thing I noticed is that there are two windows in task manager and CPU utilization is always 50%. Is it normal? If not, what should I do if I want to utilize 100% CPU utilization? I don't run any other program while I'm running my number crunching program. Unfortunately, the program usually runs about 1 week. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

JJET67

 

[Excelsior]

That, my friend, is hyperthreading in action. Just run a second instance of the number crunching program and you'll see the CPU utilization jump to 100% in both windows.

 

[jjet67]

Thanks Excelsior.
I just saw if from Dell's website about hyperthreading. What I'm curious is that whether there is any way to use all resources for one program. I can't run two programs in one machine.

 

[rommelrommel]

I believe there is a way to turn hyperthreading off. But, I don't know what it is

Running Win98 should do it

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: jjet67
Thanks Excelsior.
I just saw if from Dell's website about hyperthreading. What I'm curious is that whether there is any way to use all resources for one program. I can't run two programs in one machine.

Umm..depending on the program.you may be able to get it, itself, to run more than one thread...or something like that. Why can't you run two programs?


And there is a way to turn of HT if you want to. Get into the bios, and there should be an option to turn it off, even on the dells.

 

[bacillus]

also could you double check that your hdd is using dma & NOT pio transfers!

 

[jjet67]

Thanks for all helps.

I'm not sure whether hard disk uses dma or not but probably it should.
Turning off hyperthreading might be helpful. If I have a time, I'll run some benchmark program and report it to the forum.
Thanks.

JJET