What are the disadvantages of hyper-threading technology?

Answer 1

First of all remember that Hyper-Threading is not SMP. (Symmetric Multi-Processing)implies several processors, and we have only one processor. However, it is supplemented with a certain feature which lets it pretend it consists of two processors. So, does this feature make any sense? Well, the Hyper-Threading technology allows increasing efficiency of the processor in certain cases. In particular, when applications of different nature are used simultaneously. This is an advantage, but the effect takes place only in certain situations. The classical market principle says: pay more to get more. It really boosts up performance sometimes. The effect can be much greater than even when we compare two platforms with the same processor but different chipsets. But the effect depends on a style of working with a computer. Note that the classical SMP style is when a user counts on the response of the classical multiprocessor system. The style of the Hyper-Threading is a combination of entertaining or service processes with "working" processes. You won't get a tangible gain in most classical multiprocessor tasks if you run one application at a time. But you will surely make shorter the time of execution of most background tasks used as a makeweight. Intel has actually reminded us that operating systems we are using are multitask, and it offered a way to speed up fulfillment of a complex of simultaneously executed applications (not a single one). This is a very interesting approach, and we are glad this idea is realized.