Dual channel question..

[jbenj01]

Under task manager for my system (Win2k OS), the performance graph NO longer displays 2 graphs for chip performance, which i thought was a result of being in dual channel mode/ddr..

Does that mean my system is no longer in 'dual channel' mode since the 2 graphs are no longer being showen?? And if so, how do I get back to dual channel mode? I've already gone into BIOS but didn't find anything... Thanks.

[Solo]

What CPU you running ? If you have a Pentium 4 with hyper-threading then there will be 2 graphs under CPU Usage History in Task Manager.
I've never seen a "chip performance" graph though ?

There are no settings in the BIOS or Windows to "enable" dual channel. Dual channel is enabled when you physically place the RAM into the two slots (usually 1 and 3 or matching colour slots).

If you download a program like http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php the memory tab should show you in what mode you are running.

[jbenj01]

Thanks, Solo.. I'm running P4 on an Asus ddr mobo and Win2k.. And yes, I am still in 'dual channel' mode per CPUZ/ID.. I'm just wondering why CPU Usage (not 'chip performance'--my mistake) previously displayed 2 graphs and now only one.. ??

Maybe I inadvertently had enabled hyper-threading in BIOS. Also (segue), my understanding is HT is only compatible with XP, yes?? I have XP Pro but have just not gotten around to installing it on my desktop yet. Is there a noticeable difference in performance b/t Win2k and XP respects encoding times, i.e., HT vs. non-HT.. ??

[Solo]

I think you just accidently disabled it in your BIOS. Win2000 does support Hyper Threading but it works best in WinXP Pro and Windows 2003 Server. It's not supported in WinXP Home though.

I never notived much difference between operating systems as it depends far more on your hard ware than anything else. On the Intel setups I've only encoded with Hyper Threading enabled so I cannot compare to encoding without. It does help but certainly does not do it in half the time because you still only have one CPU working even though it is working in virtual 2 CPU mode.

I would say install WinXP Pro ASAP though as I'm sure you'll be most impressed.

[jbenj01]

Solo..

Thanks--info is appreciated. And will install XP Pro as soon as i can.

[Ramirez]

Well, in fact both WIN-XP PRO\HOME Editions does fully support HT, it is different story with windows 2000 which where released long before hyper treading, WIN2K SP3 however (partially) support HT and even then it's highly recommended by Intel to disable HT in MB BIOS since WIN2K (all versions) wasn't optimized for HT CPU's.

[Solo]

OK I wasn't 100% sure about Win2000 and HT (my gut said no though).
But as Ramirez said ... to quote Intel:

Microsoft* Windows* Operating System Desktop Based PCs
The following desktop operating systems include optimizations for HT Technology and are currently eligible to carry the new Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor with HT Technology logo:
Microsoft* Windows* XP Professional Edition
Microsoft* Windows* XP Home Edition

The following desktop operating systems are not recommended for use with Hyper-Threading Technology. If you are using one of the following desktop operating systems, it is advised that you should disable Hyper-Threading Technology in the system BIOS Setup program:

Microsoft Windows 2000 (all versions)
Microsoft Windows NT* 4.0
Microsoft Windows Me
Microsoft Windows 98
Microsoft Windows 98 SE