"Single CPU systems without HT can't handle more than one thread (something
that requires processing power) at a time, so they have to so one thing and
then the other. Dual CPU systems can't work on the same thread at the same
time so the workload is divided, and if there is only one one task to be
done than usually, the gain from having 2 CPUs is very small (that's why
they're not recommended for home users).

HT is sort of a cheap compromise, it can handle 2 threads at the same time
(something a regular CPU can't) but doesn't process both threads at the same
speed as it would have done if they were one at time (a thing a dual CPU
system would have been capable of). HT CPUs gain a performance boost when
handling 2 tasks but not a performance penalty when handling one (like a
dual CPU system would have been crippled to use only one CPU when processing
one thread).

You might think "But my CPU just has one thing to do at a time like playing
a game or ripping music" but actually many other programs in the background
need to use some CPU cycles while they're open (instant messaging software,
anti-virus, pop-up blocker, file sharing software (especially file sharing
software's), and other processes and services you might not even be aware
of) so HT helps more than you'd think.

What I like about HT is that it has virtually no shortcomings (some would
say it hurts performance when single-tasking but that's probably less than
half a percent). You should note though that the only Windows base OS's that
HT works on are WinXP, Server 2003 and Win2K (though not optimized for it).
If you have WinME and older, you'd have to turn HT off.
"


"Patrick Cloutier" wrote in message
. ..
XP managed HT really better than win2000. I'll try to find an article
about
that. In some cases, XP runs 25% faster than WIN2000. I love Win2000,
actually I'm using it, but I bought a new computer with a 550 HT 3.4Ghz
and
I'm going to install XP only for performance with HT

As I know, there is no Patch to correct that on Win2000... Let me a couple
of days to come back

Patrick


pope_about_town at Xyahoo.com (Johnny Asia) wrote in message
...
I think I found the reason for various weird glitches Ive had since
builiding this computer, I just found out Windows 2000 Professional
doesn't support Hyper-Threading. I had it enabled on my Asus p4p800-e
deluxe with P4 2.8E

Is there a hyper-threading fix for Windows 2000 Pro?
Hyper-Threading works in Windows 2000 Server.



my system:

Windows 2000 Professional w/ service pack 4
ASUS P4P800-E DELUXE mainboard
P4 2.8EGHz
1GB Geil Dual Channel PC3200
Thermaltake 420 watt psu
WD 80 GB IDE hard drive
ATI 7200 LE 32MB video card

+
+

"The power of accurate observation is called cynicism
by those who have not got it." - G. B. Shaw


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