jamesposey: Dual Core Doldrums

I use a software monitoring program called "SpeedFan 4.32". It allows you to monitor both CPU cores, the temps of each also the % of load on each along with many other usefull features. I run this now on all my machines. The s.m.a.r.t. read out on hard drive is invaluable to me included in this software. Map new drives, print readings and keep an eye on them for signs of falure. It will pre warn you of falure if used before your caught with pants down. Why all Machines do not come with this sort of software is beyound me, they all have the sensors today that can inform the user of running parameters.. On my LapTop I use one recomended by HP called "Note Book Hardware Controll". It also is most usefull. On both these programs they display Hard Drive temps as well as CPU temps in the tool bar so as to keep abreast of those condition while you work. Alarms setting and many features are adjustable to suit the individual using. My lap top was set at Factory to run as high as 180f on cpu, I have set now to 140f . Kind of like the gages on your car dash you know where things should be and when you see changes it can make aware to blow dust from cpu fan before you burn up a LapTop. Yes they all have some sort of fail safe cut off anymore but Im not running mine at 180 even if HP thinks thats ok. Thanks for the info on assigning cores to specific programs, I was unaware of that little jewl. As far as speed, for multi tasking as my wife does on this duel core I built for her, it is nice. Machine never freezes while waiting in line to process work. I find most mistakes home users make and I work on many computers for friends as favors is not enough memory and kids and games.. Its hard to convence some that children need a machine of their own untill they come knocking wondering if I can save 3 yrs of data they didnt bother to back up untill Jr killed machine. As you know dosent matter what is under the hood if the fuel tank (mem) holds half a gallon of bits. Your then restrained to hard drive speeds and a bunch of un needed ware on drive. 1 last Program to mention, DVD Idle Pro, I use this on my main machine which I do a fair amount of Video editing on and my LapTop. 1 of its coolest features is it uploads Video into ram way ahead of use, depending on ram space availible, then hard drive stops untill used up and needs to reload. It is a great battery saver on laptop sitting in airport or other location watching move on battery power. My next LapTop will be a duel core Pentium 1.8 with 2 gigs of Ram. I think some are bedazeled by that clock number to much. CPU will only process what is sent to it. I think Ram, FSB, Hard Drive Read speed, and Software, ect ect are the real speed eaters these days.JP