KARACHI, Nov 14: Intel Corp introduced its fastest yet Hyper-Threading technology 3GHz Pentium 4 microprocessor here on Thursday. The new processor enables a new class of high-performance desktop PCs that can work among several computing applications at the same time, or provide extra performance for individual software programs that are multithreaded.

The Intel Pentium 4 processor supporting HT technology is the first commercial microprocessor to operate at 3 billion cycles- per-second, using the industry’s most advanced 0.13-micron manufacturing technology. It is the world’s highest performance desktop processor yet.

“Just as people multitask to get more [work] done, we expect our PCs to do the same,” Intel Pakistan Corporation Country Manager Kamil Hasan said, adding: “Hyper-Threading technology is a breakthrough computing innovation that helps consumers and business people accomplish more in less time.”

According to a recent survey carried out by Harris Interactive, more than 75 per cent of computer users say they multitask on their computers. The survey also revealed that playing a PC game and simultaneously burning a CD is the most popular multitasking combination. It is in situations like this where Hyper-Threading technology comes of use. The technology enhances multi-tasking performance in two ways: using multithread software, or using software in a multitasking environment. It allows the processor to work on two separate pieces of code, called “threads”, at the same time rather than one at a time. Hence, the processor acts like two processors working at the same time. In addition, applications can benefit in a multitasking environment — operating two or more different software programs at the same time when run under operating systems such as WindowsXP or Linux.

The immense speed obtained for multi-tasking allows an operating system responsive to the touch while processing tasks in the background. For instance, a user can play a realistic online game while burning a CD simultaneously. With HT technology, mixing music and editing video at the same time is 21 per cent faster than with a 3.06GHz Pentium 4 processor-based system without HT technology. Compressing an Outlook folder while running WinZip gave a 35 per cent performance boost with HT-enabled systems; and Adobe Photoshop can run 21 per cent faster while running a McAfee virus scan, the demonstration presented by Jawwad Rehman showed. The price of just a single Pentium 4 processor at 3.06GHz works out to be nearly Rs45,000 in Pakistan, he said.

Dell Computer, Gateway, Hewlett-Packard and five other companies announced Thursday a new range of computers using the new chips, which feature Intel’s Hyper-Threading technology.