Does Core Duo mean 200% CPU usage?

I was reading this article . . .

http://www.craigtheguru.com/reports/MacBook_Pro_Performance_Analysis.php

And it says . . .

The MacBook Pro used 80% of total CPU resources whereas the PowerMac used 110%. (Since these are both dual processor systems, the total CPU resources for these systems tops at 200%, 100% for each processor.)

Click to expand...

Am I misunderstanding something or does that mean a Core Duo tops at 200% rather than 100%?

That is correct. You technically have two processors, they're just on one chip. Therefore each processor can have 100% CPU usage, the chip as a whole can have up to 200%.

Thanks for the information. When you look at the CPU usage in the system activity is that telling you the percentage of the two cores combined or will that peak at 200%?

How does it work with dual cores - does it always use one core until it reaches 100% then uses the other or does it split the load evenly?

CPU usage in the CPU window is an average load on a multi Processor system. If you use the Floating CPU window, it will display each processors activity individually.

OSX will split the CPU load between multiple cores. I don't know how it does it, but when I rip a DVD to an MP4 with Handbrake, all 4 processors are under heavy use and my average (displayed in the Menu Bar) runs from 60 - 80%. If I rip a CD to MP3 at the same time it goes to 80-95%.

Thanks - how do I view the floating CPU window?

ACTIVITY MONITOR > WINDOW > SHOW FLOATING CPU WINDOW > choose how you want to view it. I use the Horizontal vies.