|
Why Upgrade to Hyper-Threading
Technology? |
| Intel's
Newest Processor Speeds Up Multi-Tasking Applications |
|
| State College,
Pennsylvania, October 13,
2003 |
As a home or
office computer user you have probably noticed the more applications you
run simultaneously, the slower your computer gets. Wouldn't it be
nice to run multiple applications and still get the performance
out of them as you would if you ran them solo? You can with
Intel's newest Pentium processor
featuring Hyper-Threading Technology (HT).
Imagine having two
processors in your computer instead of just one. Essentially, this
is what HT does, however, HT is inexpensive when compared to
dual processor systems.
All PC buyers
benefit with HT. This document
will help you become familiar with Intel Pentium processors featuring
HT. You will learn:
-
What Hyper-Threading Technology
is
-
How a
Pentium featuring HT Technology differs from a traditional
Pentium
-
How a
Pentium featuring HT Technology works
-
How you can
benefit HT Technology
Dell has
created Intel Pentium personal computers (PC's) for
over a decade. Combined with our large customer base and
quality support, we have a long tradition of meeting our PC
buyer's needs. Working with Intel for over a decade has
allowed us to build PC's suited for you. Continuing to meet
our customer's needs, we will be adding HT to reach our
desktop, workstation, and laptop users.
What
is Hyper-Threading Technology (HT) ?
|
HT lets
customers do more in less time. Millions of small instructions (small
steps a computer performs that make up a larger task) make up programs, like MicrosoftTM
Word.
Computers can only perform small instruction like add, subtract,
and memory movement. These small instructions form large tasks
like printing a spreadsheet or playing a video game.
Even when
using a multi-tasking environment (An environment where
two or more applications can run simultaneously) like
MicrosoftTM Windows 98 / ME / XP, the traditional Pentium can only execute one of these
small instructions at a time. Windows simply makes the user think
these tasks are being completed simultaneously when in reality they
are not. HT breaks this barrier by having the ability to execute
two instructions simultaneously.
HT allows your
computer to execute more than one instruction at a time, thus
getting more done in the same amount of time. Home users often run
two very different applications at the same time that are independent
(Applications are independent if they do use the same memory or
files).
For example,
you're emailing
a friend some pictures while running a virus scan. The emailing of
pictures has little to do with running a virus scan. However, with
a traditional Pentium, you
may notice that sending pictures to a friend while running
another application can make either of the applications slower
than usual. This is because your traditional Pentium PC can only execute one
instruction at a time. So, your PC is quickly switching between
the two applications to make it appear as if they are running simultaneously.
With HT, you don't notice either application seeming slower than
usual. That's because your PC is actually emailing pictures to
a friend while, at the same time, scanning your computer for
viruses.
How
Does Hyper-Threading Technology (HT) Differ From the
Traditional Pentium?
|
HT can execute
more instructions at a time than a traditional Pentium. A traditional
Pentium can only execute one instruction at a time. This is only
one add, subtract, or memory movement per clock cycle (A
clock cycle is similar to an
instruction cycle. E.g.. A 500 MHz Pentium can execute 500 million
simple instructions per second). With HT, a Pentium can execute
more than one instruction per clock cycle.
Compare the performance
of a traditional Pentium to that of one with HT.
Performance of
Pentiums (with and without HT) simultaneously running a video game
and music program. Shorter bars indicate better performance.
Intel
Corporation. 2003. Multitasking
Performance: Gaming and Music. In Intel Corporation
[online]. Santa Clara, CA: Intel Corporation. 2003 [citied 9
October 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.intel.com/performance/desktop/consumer/consumer_gaming.htm>.
Performance of
Pentiums (with and without HT) simultaneously running MicrosoftTM
PowerPoint and McAfeeTM VirusScan. Shorter bars
indicate better performance.
Intel
Corporation. 2003. Multitasking
Performance: Document Creation and Virus Scanning. In Intel
Corporation [online]. Santa Clara, CA: Intel Corporation.
2003 [citied 9 October 2003]. Available from World Wide Web:
< http://www.intel.com/performance/desktop/business/business_doccreation.htm>.
How
Does Hyper-Threading Technology (HT) Work?
|
HT uses the parts of your processor that are idle at any moment in time.
It does this by adding extra components to the processor that help
to determine and utilize these idle components.
A processor is
made up of many smaller parts. Each part has a unique duty like moving
memory (Cutting and pasting picture) or multiplying two numbers
together (6 x 3 = 18). Because the traditional Pentium can only execute one
instruction at a time, only one part of the processor is in use at
any given moment. Thus, much of the processor is idle. HT utilizes
these smaller, idle components.
The components that
make up a Pentium III processor.
Leitenberge,
Bernd. 2003. Die
Entwicklung der Intel Prozessoren. In Bernd Leitenberge's Info Site [online]. Germany. 2003
[citied 9 October 2003]. Available from World Wide Web: <http://www.bernd-leitenberger.de/intel-prozessoren.html>
HT utilizes
the idle components of the processor. A Pentium with HT can multiply
two numbers together and move memory simultaneously. This
is unlike the traditional Pentium. As long as the instructions are different and independent, a Pentium with HT
can execute both of them simultaneously.
How
Can I Benefit From Hyper-Threading Technology (HT)?
|
It's simple.
-
Desktop
Users - Play video games while converting your CD's to digital
format without interruption.
-
Laptop
Users - Get more work done in a shorter amount of time and
save battery life.
-
Workstation
Users - Get more bang for your buck. Work with spreadsheets
while sending emails with flawless performance. Handle larger
workloads.
-
Servers
- Quicker encryption / decryption of information. Faster
transactions.
You can run multiple
applications without interruption. Imagine the possibilities.
Watch a DVD while surfing the Internet without video skipping.
Burn your favorite MP3's while typing a paper with no sluggish
cursor. Scan your computer for viruses while playing video games.
How does HT
differ from dual processor systems? HT operates on a single processor. This means less silicon, which means lower prices
for customers. Because HT is on a single processor, you get
dual-processor-like performance with less cost. Get performance
similar to a dual processor system without the high cost.
Although
many aren't aware, home and office computer users can now run simultaneously
applications faster. Multiple applications achieve a performance
level as if they were running solo. Intel's newest Pentium processor,
featuring Hyper-Threading Technology, makes this possible.
Dell has
worked with Intel for over a decade and has a tradition of meeting
customer needs. Dell will be adding HT to our newest desktop,
workstations, and laptops.
Get all the
perks of having dual processors without the cost. HT acts as two
logical processors allowing you to run multiple applications
flawlessly. Burn CD's while surfing the web, or watch a movie while
you scan for viruses. The choices are up to you.
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