Quad core performance question

[cbenner]

Hey,

We just started using our new CAD stationa a couple of weeks ago, and I'm noticing what appears to be a disturbing trend.  These (I am told by IT) are Quad Core - 8 Thread systems.... I have no idea what that really means.  I do know that as of IV 2013, IV is still only using one processor for most if not all functionality.  But with each core split into two threads, does this mean IV is only using one thread? 

Here is what I noticed besides slow performance.  On our old machines, when we were really pushing the limits with some of our largest designs, i could look at Task Manager's "Performance" tab.  It showed the 4 CPU's... and the one that was doing all of the work was, naturally, spiking toward the top.  The top being 25% CPU usage.  If we hit that magic 25% number.... usually that meant we were dead in the water.  With these new systems, the same screen shows 8 CPUs, with one doing all of the work and spiking towrd the top... at 13% CPU usage.  To me this means that we are going to crash a lot sooner than before.

Anyone here have any insights into these processors, and how they behave with Inventor?  Here are the Specs:

Win 7 x64, Dell Precision T7600, Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2643@3.30GHz, 32 GB RAM; GeForce GTX580; 3DConnexion Wireless Space Mouse, Penguin Vertical Mouse

TIA!

[LT.Rusty]

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@Blair wrote:
Just turn on the Turbo-boost and quite complaining about the cold. 😃

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hah!  I have to turn on the AC when I push my computer at home too hard, even in the dead of winter!