Summary: It Works - But Not Always
Our tests show that when upgrading to HT by using the adapter of a third-party manufacturer, things can go seriously wrong.
We are still hoping for a compatibility list on the manufacturer's website; this could make life considerably easier for those who are interested in it. Until then, we would try upgrading a mainboard only if:
- it was bought no more than a few months before the Pentium 4 with HT was released (November 2002);
- it is based on an Intel chipset of the 845 or 850 class and is suitable for 533 MHz FSB;
- a current BIOS is available for the board (i.e., a version whose release date is more recent than that of the Pentium 4 with HT).
With regard to performance, only Hyper-Threading can be recommended; the benchmarks are proof positive of the obvious advantages of this technology. It is not by accident that Intel will soon introduce other Pentium 4 CPUs, which offer HT at even lower clock rates.
Arguments in favor of the PowerLeap adapter solution are the simple installation and the presumably low price: if you take into account the cost for a Pentium 4 with Hyper-Threading, an estimated $20 is suddenly not such a high price to pay. In any case, you should choose an accommodating dealer, who will accept a return of the adapter if the upgrade does not work out.
