Internet Speed

[hotrodpc]

You are right. But, dual core has been around for several years now. You would think software would be up to par to take advantage of mult core CPU's, but maybe the like the idea of keeping minimum system requirments low as possible so people don't think they have to buy a new comptuer to run the software.

[BernieB]

Originally Posted by Crmzendrgone

Talking about internet speed is this a decent speed? What is the difference between upstream and downstream?

And just to get really back on topic, your downstream S/N margin and attenuation are both very marginal, and that's reflected in the number of errors you're getting (CRC errors). You might want to have the line checked but the most common cause is marginal interior wiring. If it's not already, try hooking up your modem as close to the network interface jack as possible, and remove any extra jacks or wiring in the house that you don't really use. You don't actually have to rip anything out, just disconnect it as close to the network interface as possible.

Of course, all that depends on you having run this test when no one was one the phone. If any phone was actually in use at the time you ran the test that's going to affect the results.

[hotrodpc]

Holy crud, are my glasses broke. I am getting a headache trying to read that spec sheet.

[BernieB]

Originally Posted by hotrodpc

You are right. But, dual core has been around for several years now. You would think software would be up to par to take advantage of mult core CPU's, but maybe the like the idea of keeping minimum system requirments low as possible so people don't think they have to buy a new comptuer to run the software.

It's also a case of being cost effective to support those multi processors. Coding to use them costs development time and money, which needs to be recouped somehow. Your average software house isn't going to waste time and money supporting them unless they can turn it into a major selling point that justifies their price being a little higher than the competing product that doesn't support it. The only way to do that is if it makes a MAJOR difference in speed or functionality, or enables them to include unique features and abilities, and then marketing the heck out of it.

[hotrodpc]

I agree. Sad to say, as far as productivity software, you are right on target, but I would be more willing to believe it will be gaming software that we may see a revolution in the ability to take advantage of the multi cores. Seems a hard core gamer has no problem shelling out big bucks to buy a program that he can steal a car, see a nekkid chick, and cuss like a sailer all while blowing a cops head off his shoulders and the blood and guts gore quality is second to none, but now if I want to edit a picture of my son and him riding his ATV......... you get my point. The gamining industry and all the kid gurus into that technology, would probably get where you and I are talking about first before produtctivity software get there. You think???

[BernieB]

Well, seeing as how I have a lot of connections in the gaming industry, I'd say you might be right, but it won't be any of the major game developers that do it. No, I think it's going to be a small developer (think a couple of guys in the basement) who does it, then sells it to a bigger company. However, once it does happen, all the big houses will jump on the bandwagon.

The whole gaming industry is really hurting right now, with the entire economic situation we have. One company that I've been working with for over a decade now has completely shelved all new development and projects. Another is doing very little "in house", and both are concentrating a lot on polishing up existing titles, fixing bugs and adding a couple new features, and releasing them as version upgrades. Which, while they don't get the same prices as brand new releases, or as much total income, do actually bring in a slightly higher percentage of profit because there's less cost involved in doing them.

[hotrodpc]

I think you are likely right. It will be some genius kid in his bedroom or basement that does it. I knew software did not have the ability, but I just always figured the OS would delegate the software to which core to use. Sure glad I never spent money on a quad core CPU. From what you are saying, there is actually no value in it at all.

[BernieB]

Oh, the dual and quad cores aren't totally useless. There's hyperthreading, for one, and pipelining, but the BIOS can also split the housekeeping tasks up amongst the cores, which frees up CPU cycles on the primary core. No need to have the primary oversee I/O operations when the rest can, for example. And, as I said earlier, their are drivers out now that will allow load sharing between the cores. AMD has been publishing them for a year or so now, and I'm pretty sure Intel has had them for almost two years. And, as software improves, drivers improve, and OS's improve, more and more use is being made of the extra power.

[bradrhale]

i havent understood about the last 3 pages. it is painfully obvious that IT work is not in my future. if anyone wants to know how to fix a truck, ill be over here in the corner.

[hotrodpc]

Not true Brad. You could do it. I learned backwards myself. Anyone can build a computer and has a good chance of getting it right with a few rules to follow. I started doing upgrades to a propietary system. Then decided I did not want a Propietary system. Did some reading built my own computer, it worked fabulous, 6 mo later built me a faster one and gave the 1st one to the wife, and so on. Got intetested enough in it, I wanted to KNOW what made them tick. I still don't feel like I know, but I know enough. Then decided I might be interested in becoming A+ Certified and MCSE Certified. Started going to school for it, that is when the wife started trashing the eBay biz, so I ended sending her back to work, I took the biz back over by myself, and had to put school on hold, the she did her deed with a coworker, I guess to get even since I made her go back to work, and Kaboom getting divorced, no school !!! Bummer huh??? But still not hard to find the info to learn it yourself. That binary code of 0 and 1's by 8's is not even used that much in the field working on hardware as far as I know.