My computer has two CPUs and I was wondering if they run at the same time (or if I can set it that way) and if they do, would it mean that two 2.4 Ghz processors would run maybe at 3.0 Ghz?

Second, what is Error Correcting Code compared to normal RAM? Or what does it even do...

It's nice that I don't know much about my own computer...

Certain programs have dual core support which means the program would use both cores. Normally one program takes one core.
Your dual core cannot exceed 2.4GHz unless you want to overclock it.

ECC ram is for error correcting. I think it does not really matter except when you run a program for a very long time and the ECC ram fixes any problem in the ram that may occur.

Dual-cpu doesn't not mean dual-core. You have a dual-core processor. This means that you processor can do two calculations simultaneously. They are both running at the same time at 2.4Ghz. This means you can have one core working on loading a webpage while the second core is decoding the audio file your listening to (music). A Dual-cpu computer means that your motherboard has two sockets (where the CPU goes). Since each CPU can have multiple cores, a dual-socket computer can have many cores. Supercomputers utilize many cores because they don't do the same kind of math that PCs do.

ECC is a special thing where you computer basically writes everything twice. This way, if it screws up writing something, it has a second copy that is error-free. The files loaded into RAM has ECC so your computer doesn't start acting screwy. It doesn't actually write two whole copies of every file, but for simplicity we'll pretend it to does.

Ok thanks, disappointing that they can't go to 3.0 w/o overclocking.

This question is a little off topic, but it's my thread

I just got a 2.0 USB drive thinking it would run fast, but no. It is plugged in correctly and everything, but it takes 5 minutes to transfer 100 mb and my piece of crap computer w/o 2.0 usb drive does it in about 20 seconds. WTF. It generally loads most everything slower too. ( my 'good' computer )

Anyone know why...

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Apr 19 2010, 4:04 am by Newb.

I think it's noteworthy that ECC makes RAM significantly slower while not really being needed. Bit errors are so rare nowadays that it makes no sense activating it.

About your new question: That can have so many reasons I don't even know where to start. It could be wrong BIOS configuration, wrong jumpering of your drives, bad drivers, damaged parts, viruses, and more.
You need to help us narrowing it down. Start by telling us the specs of your new computer: What kind of hard drives it uses (IDE, sATA, SSD) is it a laptop or desktop, what CPU, RAM, motherboard and OS do you use? Anything else worth mentioning?
Also was the sluggishness right from the start when you bought it? If yes talk to your vendor.
Are there any exclamation marks in your device manager?
Is it just the slow USB drive and programs starting up slowly or can you give us a more detailed error description?

... wait, is it possible you have ECC activated on your new computer? If yes turn it off.

sounds like you have an old mac pro with 2 cpus. You can't overclock them. The way you upgrade macs is you shoot it with a pistol and buy a new one. If you really do have a dual core and not a dual cpu, then the net result isn't much different.

As for the 2.0 USB drive, you need to have a USB 2.0 socket too, not just a drive. USB 1.1 works at 12 Mbps, USB 2.0 works at 480 Mbps. Sounds like you have an old USB port. But really, there's not much use in upgrading a 5 year old computer.

Two CPUs running at 2.4g each will outperform a single running at 3.0g easily, unless you for some reason wanted to overclock both to 3.0, hard to tell which you meant.

two cpus running at 2.4 GHz each will only outperform a 3.0 GHz single processor if the process is multithreaded. If it's an OS/game scenario, the dual core wins. If it's number crunching and not multithreaded, the single core wins. However, you will rarely find a situation where the faster single core is better than the slower dual core. The same can't be said about dual/triple/quads though, since there are still some things which are either single or dual core only, so a faster dual core can be better than a slower triple core.

Also, something worth mentioning, in newer CPUs it isn't cores and clockspeed alone that advances. Each new architecture and smaller manufacturing process offers more efficiency and calculations per cycle.

Ya, it's like 10 years old, and it's never been upgraded except 2.0 USB drive.


Where do I find if I have them turned on or off?

It seems to open any program slow, but runs just fine once they're opened.

The computer I'm referring to, is the one with two 2.4 CPUs. ( Ya it's not that amazing, but it's my 'good' computer )

It's not ten years old if it has a dual-core. I don't know if you can turn it off, but you shouldn't. Programs opening slow are an indication of a slow hard drive, not slow RAM.

Well it's not dual-core -.- I just have two CPUs in it...

I have 4 hard drives in too >_>

From my experience, ECC RAM usually is only used for servers or other systems that need to be error free, I don't even think most desktop motherboards support ECC. Although, if you've got a dual CPU system, it's believable that it supports ECC. Are you running two Xeons or something? Sounds likely if the computer is as old as you say and has 2.4 Ghz cores.

don't mess with it. it works now. If you don't like how slow it is, then consider building your own new computer or upgrading.

Yes I am running two Xeons.


Ya I have the money, but I need to buy a car first, and well, there goes any money for a computer

EDIT: The face doesn't work >_>

Because of the 2.4 GHz CPU speeds, I say it is unlikely that computer is 10 years old. I'd believe 8, but not 10.

ECC memory can be distinguished by its 9th chip it has for every set of 8. When run in ECC mode, the memory latency goes up by an extra clock cycle, IIRC.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Apr 21 2010, 10:44 am by ShadowFlare.