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Hyperthreading is allowing 2 similar processes - the same instruction, just different data - to be run at the same time on a single physical CPU. This does make the second virtual CPU show up in the task manager, etc. but it won't match the other cpu all the time perfectly. It also requires a SMP capable operating system - NT Workstation/server, 2k pro/server/etc, XP Pro, server 2k3, various x86 based *nix systems, etc.
True SMP is when you have 2 physical processors. Again, you don't get 100% boost in speed, but for multi-tasking it really speeds things up. If an application is written to take advantage of it (multithreaded), it is possible to use both CPUs at once for the same task. Even if your apps aren't multithreaded, the operating system can shuffle the tasks back and forth to whichever processor is available at any given moment.
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“IN MY EXPERIENCE, SUSAN, WITHIN THEIR HEADS TOO MANY HUMANS SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF WARS THAT HAPPENED CENTURIES AGO.”
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