Graphical display of core activity?

Question

So.. I have a Dual Core i7 MBP.... (also a quad core i7 iMac)
is there a way to graphically see how different processes are being run on the different cores?
In other words... can I see how efficent my computer is? when running different programs (Final Cut, Compressor, etc..) I would like to know if the programs are using all the resources necessary...
thanks in advance.
-Steven

Answer 1

Nothing wrong with iStat Menus, but you don't have to resort to another program.
To view CPU status in Activity Monitor _without opening another window_:
Start Activity Monitor from the Applications Folder.
While AM is running Control-click on the Activity Monitor icon in the Dock.
Select 'Open at Login' That start it every time you open your identity.
Now you have three choices to display CPU activity...
1) Select 'Dock Icon' and then 'Show CPU Usage'. Current CPU usage will automatically appear in the Activity Monitor icon in the Dock in the form of a vertical bar graph.
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2) Select 'Dock Icon' and then 'Show CPU History'. CPU usage will automatically appear in the Activity Monitor icon in the Doc as a horizontal graphical representation with the most recent CPU activity appearing at the right, and about 30 seconds of history.
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3) If you'd like to use the Activity Monitor in the Dock to display information other than CPU usage (I use it for Network Usage), you can select 'Floating CPU Window' then select 'Show horizontally', or 'Show vertically' and place the a floating CPU activity graph where YOU want it., such as at the very top of the screen, also without having another window open.
Message was edited by: kostby