CPU usage and %

[macaddict06]

Hi All,

So I've got a early 2011 MBP (bought in late July) that, to my knowledge, has a 4 core i7. I remember from my last MBP (a C2D) that I could regularly see processes using >150% since I had two cores (theoretical limit then being 200%).

However, I'm using Handbrake to archive some DVDs I've got laying around, and I routinely see it breaking the 550% barrier. How's this possible? I'm assuming that with a 4 core my limit should be 400% (4 cores x 100% each) - where's the extra 150+% coming from?

To be clear, I'm not freaking out, I'm just curious as there's obviously something I don't know and I'd like to learn about it. Thanks all!

(sidenote: just checked again and its at 720%...interesting!)

 

[stridemat]

From the Apple Website

Hyper-Threading.
Hyper-Threading is now standard on every MacBook Pro. This technology allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core, so OS X recognizes eight virtual cores on a quad-core processor and four on a dual-core processor. When you’re running multiple applications at once, the processor spreads tasks more evenly across a greater number of cores.

You can theoretically get to 800%.

 

[GGJstudios]

4 core + 4 virtual core = 800%

 

[macaddict06]

Sweet, thanks all!

 

[ECUpirate44]

Currently converting 15GB Movies in Handbrake. If only I had 4 cores! CPU at 99%, fans running at 6000 RPM lol. Great app.