In article <iOJ1c.4182$n37.221208@read2.cgocable.net>,
DD <ddgamer@cogeco.ca> wrote:

This is a LOT of calculation! In this first step, you computer does about
200 billion calculations!"

So....SETI slows down on susequest steps to give your CPU a rest or
something?

I would rather it went at full speed 100% of the time.

Processors are limited by cache size and memory access speed; if it's
performing calculations that require lots of accesses to main memory,
the CPU waits more than if it's running out of cache or has most of
the values alreay in registers. If the calculations are working through
a table, for example, idle time happens while the memory fetch occurs.
That'll cause the CPU to run cooler.


Gary

-- 
Gary Heston  gheston@hiwaay.net 

Contrary to popular opinion, _not_ everyone loves Raymond.