TOP cpu %ulitization exceeds number of procs X 100%

Question

I have a VM with 2 virtual CPUs. When I run two multi-threaded java proceses the total CPU utilization in top exceeds 200%. In fact its closer to 800%.
alt text http://ftp.lib.byu.edu/top.jpg

I thought that %CPU was the percentage utilization of one core, and that a process on a two core box couldn't exceed 200 %CPU. Am I wrong?

Its a VM running on ESX. The top screen is running on the VM. — racyclist, Oct 21 '09 at 16:19
This is possibly a dupe of http://serverfault.com/questions/71510/cpu-for-a-process or http://serverfault.com/questions/29231/confused-by-cpu-values-in-unix-top-command — vdboor, Jun 30 '10 at 11:39

Kyle Brandt · Answer 1 · 2009-10-21T15:16:08.393

2

Does it make any more since when using the -H option (Press Shift-H while running), to show threads? Then see the "What to look for from the top -H output" from this IBM link.

edited Oct 21 '09 at 15:16

answered Oct 21 '09 at 15:10

Kyle Brandt

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@Kyle - It does make more since when using the H option. Thanks for the tip. – Patrick R Jan 26 '10 at 02:42

TOP cpu %ulitization exceeds number of procs X 100%

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