Dell XPS 700 Jet Black - Manual (Page 41)

Optimizing Performance
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Optimizing Performance
Understanding Hyper-Threading
Hyper-Threading is an Intel
®
technology that can enhance overall computer performance by
allowing one physical processor to function as two logical processors, capable of performing certain
tasks simultaneously. It is recommended that you use the Microsoft
®
Windows
®
XP Service Pack 1
(SP1), or later, operating system as Windows XP is optimized to take advantage of Hyper-Threading
technology. While many programs can benefit from Hyper-Threading, some programs have not been
optimized for Hyper-Threading and may require an update from the software manufacturer. Contact
the software manufacturer for updates and information about using Hyper-Threading with your
software.
To determine if your computer is using Hyper-Threading technology:
1 Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2 Click Hardware, then click Device Manager.
3 In the Device Manager window, click the plus (+) sign next to Processors. If Hyper-Threading is
enabled, the processor is listed twice.
You can enable or disable Hyper-Threading through system setup. For more information on accessing
system setup, see "System Setup" on page 132. For more information on Hyper-Threading, search the
Knowledge Base on the Dell website at support.dell.com.
Understanding PCI Express Cards
PCI Express is the next generation technology for graphics cards and PCI cards. The PCI Express
x16 slot is used in place of the AGP graphics card slot. The dimensions of PCI Express card slots are
different from those of the PCI card slots, and the cards are not interchangeable (you cannot install
a PCI card in a PCI Express card slot, or a PCI Express card in a PCI card slot).
Some benefits of PCI Express technology include:
• Greater available bandwidth — PCI Express bus bandwidth is 250 MB/s in each direction per lane
simultaneously, while PCI bus bandwidth is 133 MB/s in one direction at a time.
• Prioritization of service — Multiple PCI cards installed in a computer all share a common bus, but
each PCI Express card operates on its own channel. Activities such as video conferencing and web
camera functions can be automatically prioritized through the device software to reduce latency.
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