Dual core-Dual processor CPU utilization

[Guest]

I'm running XP Pro on a Tyan Thunder i7500 (S2720) with dual Intel Xeon 512
processors. When I view the Task Manager, the CPU utilization rarely exceeds
30%. Opening additional windows usually does not significantly increase the
CPU utilization rate. Is there any way I can take advantage of the unused
CPU time?

 

[John R Weiss]

I'm running XP Pro on a Tyan Thunder i7500 (S2720) with dual Intel Xeon 512
processors. When I view the Task Manager, the CPU utilization rarely exceeds
30%. Opening additional windows usually does not significantly increase the
CPU utilization rate. Is there any way I can take advantage of the unused
CPU time?

One very useful way is to join a Distributed Computing project such as Folding
at Home (http://folding.stanford.edu). FaH is a research project studying the
"folding and aggregation" mechanisms of proteins, and the results are currently
being used in medical research for Alzheimer's Disease and others.

FaH is set up so only the idle cycles of the CPU are used, and it suspends
itself and yields to any other app you open.