hyper-threading query?

Question

hi guys
has anyone ever turned off the hyper-threading technology when using a pentium 4(or any ht cpu,s)
i am asking as i read a feature about hyper-threading which showed performance improvements on certain applications and games and also when i repaired a friends pentium 4 the other week it performed quite well and his pentium 4 isnt hyper-threaded
my questions are :
1) can you disable hyper-threading ?
2)will it damage the cpu ?
3)will it affect any data or the operating system(win xp) ?
4)in your opinion is it worth it ?
any help will be much appreciated
cheers guys !

Answer 1

I completely disagree with "if it's not broken don't fix it" - you won't learn anything that way. If it's not broken tweak with it until it is. And THEN fix it - curiousity is good.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyper-threading --- multiple CPU way of looking at a single CPU (only recommended off under W2K).



1.) Yes, it appears you can disable it. But I wouldn't. It's there to try to keep you system "fluid" (i.e. no process hogs the entire CPU)

2.) God no - it's just a way of handling threads

3.) It is not destructive in any way

4.) Yes, it's worth having. Run it on and multitask a lot (rip CDs while doing office work etc), then turn it off and do the same. System responsiveness will drop with it off, because demanding applications will demand (and receive i.e. hog) the CPU, and your desktop experience will be more (though how much is up for debate) sluggish/unresponsive



Just my 2 cents.

Answer 2

1. HyperThreading is a setting is in the BIOS and can be disabled.

2. No

3. It has no affect on the data. Disabling it will probably make XP slightly slower.

4. I think that it is better to have it enabled.



The only thing about a DECREASE in performance that is caused by enabling hyperthreading I am aware of, was in an article I read a few years ago that analyzed performance of MSSQL and they had noticed that in some scenarios it reduced performance. For the average user hyperthreading increases performance.

Answer 3

easily relies upon. while you're working it at inventory speeds, you're ok. in case you plan on overclocking it in any respect, use the CM 212+ My i7 2600K hits with reference to the comparable max temps as yours on video games and top ninety 5 on an oem Noctua cooler, yet mine is working at 4.5 ghz The CM 212+ is a extensive cooler, and you will ought to do away with the motherboard to place in it, in spite of the undeniable fact that it fairly is a lot extra effectual than the Intel inventory heatsink (that's rubbish by utilising maximum standards). i've got put in one earlier

Answer 4

hi brian, as they say,( if it ant broke don't fix it) brian it's there for a reason just leave well alone, it's part of the boss SYSTEM, no it will not damage your pc, is it worth it NO, windows xp is ok with it on or off, talk soon malc

Answer 5

Hi, the rule of thumb in this case is leave well enough alone. Messing about with it is not necessary, it,s there so let it be.

Answer 6

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/12009443/m/650002697731