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Thread: Erm...am I running a dual core CPU?

  1. #1
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    Erm...am I running a dual core CPU?

    *Ahem* bear with me.

    I recently upgraded my CPU to a P4 2.8Ghz 775. It was a straight swap for a 3.0Ghz Celeron so I can't complain. Anyway, I'm starting to think that unbeknownst to the person I got it from, he may have given me a Dual Core thing. Is there a definitive way to find out?

    Here are the things that gave me this idea:

    1. When I first installed it, I got a Windows PNP message telling me it was installing a new processor. Considering I simply replaced an older one, that isn't meant to happen is it?

    2. Under Device Manager, it shows the P4 twice under Processors.

    3. And in Task Manager under CPU Usage History, there are two graphs running simultaneously.

    Sorry to be so self-indulgent in this topic, but I hate being unsure about stuff. The main counter argument, to me at least, is that dual-core P4s are called Ds aren't they?

    Meh, anyway all advice is appreciated.

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    Probably Hyper Threading and not dual core, as this show "two" processors as well. Anyway, run CPU-Z to confirm which CPU you are running:

    http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

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    Ah, thanks for the linky, nice software.

    It says I have an Intel Pentium 4 520, so turns out you were right. The other "CPU" is a Logical Unit, whatever the hell that means.

    Anyway, thanks again!

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    that logical unit will be ur hyper threading i believe

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    awm
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    The idea is that the processor pretends to be two then uses some fancy cirutry to try and run two threads through the processor more efficently than the OS could. Supposedly this gives some benifits, especaially at keeping your comuter from freezing when one thread is trying to use all the CPU power.

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    I think it was such a "success" that it is being binned for the new Conroe series CPUs.

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    hehe...absolutely true...what a sense of sarcasm....

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    awm
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    Well its was somewhat a sucess when paired with the Netburst architecture, in that it manged to take advantage of the insanely long pipe. Of course with a decent architecture it becomes pointless, especially with real dual-core.

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