Korean Job Discussion Forums

[suadente]

Two questions,

First, I'm using an AMD 64 x2 dual core cpu, 1.8 ghz and Vista Ultimate. Right now, I'm running two windows of IE7, one in Administrator mode, copying a DVD using Nero 8 (Which I despise, I'm going back to Nero 7), downloading files from jjangfile.net (1.4 mb/s!), watching a show using GOM, and having a beer. I installed a gadget or widget, or whatever it's called in Vista, (and whichever one it is is, it sounds better than the one that Apple has. Stupid Mac. ) that shows CPU load. One core is up at 90-95 percent, but the other never hits 15. Is this a Vista issue, an AMD issue, or a software issue? They're usually not this different.

But, one more thing, even though the one core of the CPU is under a pretty heavy load, the temp never gets to 50 degrees celsius. I'm overclocked by 10% through my mobo/bios's 'easy overclocking' feature. That's pretty good, right? (I actually have a pretty cheap cooler that I got at Yongsan one weekend. And I put an Evergreen fan on it. If you haven't used Evergreen fans, they're worth a try--very, very quite. I have two--one on the CPU cooler, and one on the case. The cooler and the upgrade to the Evergreen fan cost under 20k. And, I have a passive GPU cooler, though I don't know if that makes much of a difference at the time, but I have three fans, CPU, case, PSU. I hear the hard drive working, but not the fans.)

I know a lot of people swear by Zalman, but I think they're overrated, not to mention oversized. Next time I open up my case, I'll figure out what the brand of my cooler is and post it up here, assuming that slightly under 50C with one core under high load is good.

[Temporary]

Zalman is and always been overated crap. No enthusiast ever considered them good. They have been mediocre at best.

[JustJohn]

Overrated doesn't mean not good, just not as good as people claim.

[Demophobe]

So many opinions, so few facts.

How about the real question in the OP?

[ttompatz]

Unequal distribution of load on the cores of the CPU is a software issue.

Most software is NOT configured to be multi threaded and cannot properly use multiple cores in an effective manner. The OS is also not well configured to distribute the load when you use software that was written for single CPU useage.

You will find that until you give the system a real work out that one core will do the bulk of the work and the other will remain idle.

The good news is that, if you have sufficient RAM you still have lots of idle CPU cycles to increase the amount of things you can do. IF you don't have enough RAM the system will drag to a halt long before you max out the CPU.

.

[spliff]

Right, in these days of cheaper RAM there's no excuse for not having 4gigs. 2gX2 is best. Around 100,000 now for decent ddr2.

[eamo]

Yeah, as said before, not all software will optimize both cores.

I noticed that when I use Zoom player to play 1080p x264 movies, that it uses both cores more or less equally.

Anyway, it would seem that you're system is handling heavy loads pretty well. There doesn't seem to be an actual problem.

I agree totally with you about Nero 8. It's an awful GUI compared to Nero 7. I have already went nuts trying to work with Nero 8 and ended up going back to Nero 7.

I'm using Zalman coolers in both my PC's at the moment. Temp-wise, they do their job. My temps are excellent. Even on my older PC with the notoriously hot Presler 930 D, which runs 24/7 at 100% (Seti@home), it never goes over 53C. Even when my wife cranks up the heating to sauna levels.
Zalman coolers are cheaper in Korea than in the West. So, in that respect, they are very competitive with more exotic coolers like Thermaltakes and Scythes. But, Zalmans don't seem to be designed to run at full speed. Distinctly noisy when they are revved up over 2600rpm. So, no. Not the best coolers out there. The heatpipes,fin and vertically mounted fan is a good design. It works. But the fan noise at high speeds needs to be better.

The application of the thermal paste when installing these coolers can make a difference of 5-12C. That's where a lot of people go wrong. It's really hard to resist putting on more paste. But it's vital not to.

[suadente]

Thanks for all the posts thus far, but since I was running multiple programs, none of which are incredible processor hungry, I was startled by the fact that it seemed that all were being handled by one core, rather than being distributed.

And, I wanted to brag a little because I had good temps on a 15,000 won cooler and fan.

I'm guessing that it was about time for a simple reboot, as I hadn't for a few weeks. But, for those of you using OS X or OSX86, does this ever happen to you? Also, for other Vista/XP users, you?

[JustJohn]

There's a rumor that linux handles multiple cores better, but I've only seen one test on it.