With the introduction of the Xeon, Xeon DP, and Xeon MP processors using the
P4 core architecture, Intel has incorporated a new feature known as
Hyper-Threading or HT. HT is Intel's implementation of a technology known as
Simultaneous Multi-Threading, or SMT, that allows a single physical processor
to execute multiple threads concurrently. This new feature has great
potential in the heavily threaded back-end systems that Linux is targeting in
the enterprise data center.
Understanding Hyper-Threading
In an SMT system, a single physical processor duplicates some of the on-chip
architectural state, allowing the processor core to make greater use of
available resources. The second architectural state holds another thread
context, allowing the processor to more completely use ... (more)
In early 2002 Intel became the first chip manufacturer to release a processor
incorporating a new technology known as Simultaneous Multithreading, or SMT.
Intel's SMT implementation (dubbed Hyper-Threading or HT) has been available
in their Xeon processor line for over a year, with little fanfare. In April
2003, Intel announced that HT technology will be added to its desktop-focused
Pent... (more)