physical cores vs virtual

[bryann]

Hi. I know what a physical and virtual cores are but in terms of performance is there any difference between a physical core and a virtual core?
Lets say you had two processors and for the purpose of this example they were identical except one was a quad core without hyper threading and the other was a dual core with hyper threading, would they be equal? Thanks

[prixat]

No, they are not the same.
Benchmarks with and without hyperthreading show a difference of between 5 and 30 per cent. (depending on the application)

In your example the true quad would be significantly faster.

[alc6379]

All Hyperthreading really does is queue up more jobs to be run on the cores. In any case, more physical cores will be a better way to go.

If you really wanted to compare, you'd compare between the same chip, with Hyperthreading, and without. But, YMMV, as some applications run better WITHOUT Hyperthreading. Go figure...

[bryann]

thanks for the replies that cleared it up for me