178% processor usage?

hey, whenever i do something resource intensive (like rip a dvd via handbrake), the activity monitor shows more than 100% processor usage. sometimes around 178-180%. is this simply because there are 2 cores (max 200%), or is my computer whacked? thanks!

yep it is simply because you have 2 cores, your computer is acting normally.

It is because you have two cores AND a particular application that can take advantage of more than one. Keep in mind many applications cannot take advantage of more than one CPU.