A "Multiprocessor PC"

[Max35]

Yesterday I looked under the "Device Manager" to get a little info about my computer for upgrading. It said I have a multiprocessor PC, and when I checked out the "Processor" section, it said I have two 3 Ghz Processors, but when Steam evaluated my system for lost coast it said I have only 3 Ghz. Needless to say, I'm totally confused. Can someone tell me whats going on?. Thanks in Advance.

 

[WhiteZero]

You have a P4 with hyperthreading?

 

[Max35]

Yes, I do. What does that mean exactly.

 

[ComradeBadger]

You have a 3Ghz Pentium 4 Processor, with HyperThreading.

 

[WhiteZero]

Well, Hyperthreading sort of splits your processors work in half. So logically you have 2 processors, but physically you only have one.

It allows your computer to multi-task better... theoretically.

 

[Max35]

You have a 3Ghz Pentium 4 Processor, with HyperThreading.

Well, yeah that I know Just didn't know what Hyperthreading was, thanks WhiteZero for clearing that up.

 

[Max35]

Alright, so here are my system specs:

p4 3.0 Ghz
512 Mb Ram
Geforce 6800 GT 256 mb

Should I upgrade the processor, or my graphics card?. I am definitely planning on upgrading the Ram, but I don't know what brand/speed it is, that matters when you install additional ram right, or was I misguided?. Can anyone tell me how to find out what brand it is?.

 

[JNightshade]

Well, speed would matter a lot, but in my experience brand really doesn't make any difference. I'm running 2 512 sticks (DDR400 PC3200) and have no idea what brands they are, except that they're different. Never had a problem with them.

But anyway... I'd probably recommend upgrading the processor to an Athlon 64. Of course, that means getting a new mobo, and changing a ton of crap, and possibly buying new RAM (if your current stuff isn't compatible) but still. Your vid card is probably just fine.

 

[WhiteZero]

Meh, just doubble your RAM and you'll be good.

To check ur RAM, try a tool like PC Wizard

 

[$kelet0r]

there's no need to upgrade at all
you have a good to great processor and graphics card
stick in another 512mb of ram and you'll be laughing well into winter of 2006

 

[furiousV]

Disabling HyperThreading in the BIOS got me a few more FPS on all games, and did quite a bit more in UT2004

Do some testing to see if you should enable or disable, but with your 6800, it probably wouldn't make much of a noticable difference

Get another 512MB RAM and you got me jealous

 

[Asus]

Disabling HyperThreading in the BIOS got me a few more FPS on all games, and did quite a bit more in UT2004

Yeah hyperthreading is good and bad. It's good since that 2nd task doesn't have to wait. But it's bad because if one of them stalls then you have half a CPU for a moment until it flushes it out.

Games do perfer hyperthreading disabled unless you are doing a lot of multitasking on the side.

 

[WhiteZero]

I actually didnt really get any FPS boost in the games I play when I disabled it. *shrugs*
I keep it off though.