New to Dual Core

[SBD]

Hey all I'm new to this dual core stuff.

I was wondering is it possible to have games running on one core and all the windows crap running on the other? Also is there any programs i should download to increase the efficiency when running games and other tasks?

 

[theheyes]

The best thing to do is forget you have two core and let the operating system do its job. Its all automatic and if you try to get one program running on one core and not another you can end up slowing thing down.

 

[SBD]

Is there anything i need to download for windows xp to make it run more efficient. I have Windows XP SP2?

 

[FishThrower]

when you install Windows XP it should put the dual core HAL in by itself, in Windows 2000 you would have needed to replace the HAL if you just upgraded the CPU, but you shouldnt need to do anything with XP or Vista

 

[El Jimben]

Once you have a program open, go into task manager, right click the desired program and select "set affinity", this will give you the choice of which core the program runs on. However, as said above, you're probably much better off just letting Windows do it's own thing

 

[SBD]

The only reason i was asking is I am getting frequent slow downs. Which seem to slow the pc to a grinding halt for around 0.5 seconds and then correct its self. Just wondering if I could stop it somehow

 

[theheyes]

Have you narrowed down which process, if any, is hogging the CPU?

 

[SBD]

lol wish i could i just cant tell, i watch the taskmanager but the system locks up and when its back to normal the screen will then refresh. I think its the GPU or my onboard sound tbh im using a x850 XT atm as im RMAin my 7900GT :S

Is there anyway to log what taskmanager sees when it freezes?

 

[SBD]

is it possible i need to up the voltage for my ram (Crucial Ballistix 2GB) think i set them to +0.1 volts from stock but i dont know what the stock voltage is lmao

 

[dr. sarf]

They're rated at 2.2v, prob default in your BIOS is 1.8v, so up them by 0.4v
Thats how I have my Ballistix running.

 

[SBD]

would that cause really bad slow downs? if under volted? ill give it a try now will be funny if it just that lol

 

[SBD]

Well they are running with +0.4v now so just have to wait and see if i get any slow downs, just as i was typing i got one lmao so that wasnt the problem haha

 

[aly051]

Hey all I'm new to this dual core stuff.

I was wondering is it possible to have games running on one core and all the windows crap running on the other? Also is there any programs i should download to increase the efficiency when running games and other tasks?

Well no one has yet mentioned it so I will,

The answer is yes you can set a task to one core or another here's how:

Open up taskmanager.

Then right click on the task and click 'Set Affinity'

Then you can select the core you want it to use.

I never use this feature only time I've ever used it when I want to seriously stress my CPU for tests and run one test on one core and another on the other core....tasty!

Hope this helps