W2K and Hyper-Threading

[DragonSlayer]

I am considering purchasing a 3.2Ghz P4, and would like to know if W2K supports Hyper-Threading ? The Microsoft site and the Intel site say no, but I have a friend that is running W2K and he says that it is supported on his system. I have seen a couple web-sites that claim that W2K does support Hyper-Threading and that Microsoft Techs have said that it does. Also, is there any real speed/system advantage in running Hyper-Threading enabled in your sytem BIOS? Any and all comments greatly appreciated. I have an ASUS P4C800-E Deluxe mobo.

 

[Unforgiven]

i have the p4c800 deluxe and run windows 2000 with a 2.6c hyperthreading. microsoft claims it doesnt support hyperthreading and to a point its accurate. windows 2000 does not see the chip as 1 processor using multiple threads, its sees it as 2 physical processors. ive been running windows 2000 on mine with hyperthreading for 4 months and havent had an issue at all. i have heard that windows 2000 will potentially get confused and slow down some applications compared to xp with hyperthreading enabled but i personally havent seen that on my end. if you despise windows xp like i do then you will be just fine on windows 2000. hope this helps you out at all.

 

[Budman]

Bottom line...

If you want to use Win2k turn off hyperthreading.

If you want hyperthreading install windows XP.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: Unforgiven
i have the p4c800 deluxe and run windows 2000 with a 2.6c hyperthreading. microsoft claims it doesnt support hyperthreading and to a point its accurate. windows 2000 does not see the chip as 1 processor using multiple threads, its sees it as 2 physical processors. ive been running windows 2000 on mine with hyperthreading for 4 months and havent had an issue at all. i have heard that windows 2000 will potentially get confused and slow down some applications compared to xp with hyperthreading enabled but i personally havent seen that on my end. if you despise windows xp like i do then you will be just fine on windows 2000. hope this helps you out at all.

Of course you haven't seen had an issue, it's not like the machine is going to blow up. It's just not using HT effectively and probably causing you a small performance hit instead of gain. Don't bother with HT on 2K, use XP.
Bill

 

[EeyoreX]

microsoft claims it doesnt support hyperthreading and to a point its accurate.

This made me chuckle. They don't support it, and there is no "to a point". It's says it's not supported, not that it won't work (albiet badly).

The Microsoft site and the Intel site say no.

Why not just believe the two companies that would know? Windows 2000 does not support HT and as was said more likely than not you will experience a performance hit rather than a gain. Use Windows XP for HT enabled P4s. Unless you don't mind the potential for a performance loss.

\Dan

 

[DragonSlayer]

Thanks alot for the quick replys !!!!!! Still not sure, but your advice/comments are greatly appreciated.