Hyperthreading question

[mac_mogul]

I recently saw a commercial on TV advertising the P4 processor with 'hyperthreading technology' what exactly is this 'hyperthreading technology' and what does it do?
Thanks in advance

 

[zerozero]

Hyper threading technology is a fancy name for dual CPU FSB and is available with all new P4 CPU. In other words, if your CPU FSB is 400 Hz, it will operate the same as if it had an 800 MHz FSB. http://www.intel.com/products/ht/hyperthreading.htm?iid=ipp_htm+ht&
In more technical terms, it operates similar to DDR memory, allowing data to be processed on both the raising and falling edge of your clock, processing 2X the data on the same clock pulse.
Hope this helps.

 

[Traudong]

What does FSB stand for?

 

[þÄ®âÐÖx]

In more technical terms, it operates similar to DDR memory, allowing data to be processed on both the raising and falling edge of your clock, processing 2X the data on the same clock pulse.

Not exactly. HyperThreading actually just makes much more efficient use of your processor by filling up empty execution slots that would normally go to waste. It does this by creating a second logical processor, so programs are basically 'tricked' into thinking you have dual processors. For a very in-depth article complete with diagrams, check out this page:
http://www.arstechnica.com/paedia/h/hyperthreading/hyperthreading-1.html

Btw mac_mogul, you should be happy to know that future generations of the Apple G5 processor will have HyperThreading capabilities as well

 

[zerozero]

You're right Paradox, the article is very well written and I've bookmarked the home page for further reference

Tanx