HP Vectra XU 6/XXX Optimization Manual page 9

Multithreaded Applications
Applications written specifically for multithreaded operating systems are also multithreaded.
These applications permit their own operation to be performed through separate threads. Refer
to the manual supplied with your software application to determine if it is multithreaded.
The Advantages of Dual Processing in your PC
Your HP Vectra PC is able to bring the advantages of multiprocessing to your desktop. With
two processor's installed, the power of your PC is significantly increased. However, this does
not mean that your PC can process individual commands and instructions more quickly.
Instead, your processing capacity is increased, meaning that your PC can process more
commands and instructions at one time.
The use you make of the second processor will be determined by the applications you use. To
illustrate this, assume you are running a multithreaded operating system with the following
applications:
• One single-threaded application.
Both processors are able to share the operating system's work, but all the work for the
application must still be carried out by a single processor. The performance of your PC
may be faster than if you had only one processor installed, but not by a significant factor.
• Two or more single-threaded applications simultaneously.
Each processor will perform the work for different applications. The performance of your
PC will be significantly improved by the second processor.
• A multithreaded application.
Both processors are able to share the work of the application. All work is shared and so
the performance will be significantly increased with respect to a single processor
configuration. Multithreaded applications will gain the maximum benefit from installation of
a second Pentium Pro processor in your PC.
NOTE The advanced Pentium Pro processor provides the
best performance when used with 32-bit operating
systems and applications.