max out at 50% in task manager

Mostly out of curiosity. My task manager shows that most individual programs max out at 50% CPU time as shown in the task manager. Multiple programs will combined go over 50%. I assume that there is somewhere a settings that allocates maximum CPU time to each task or something like that. Most of the time it does not make a difference, but for video and my photo AuoStitch program I would like to go as fast as I can.

Any ideas?

XP Pro, 5.1.2600 SP2, current updates
MB: MSI P4N SLI
Pentium 4, Presscott 630, 3 GHz
BIOS AMI 080012 8/31/2005
1 GB memory, on 800 MB FSB

Thanks, KP

 

Well, if the Operating System is designed well, which I assume Windows is , the programs will be allowed to use what they can in CPU resources. What that means is that if your video program needs more CPU then it will get it, within reason of course. If it is running at 50% utilization with nothing else competing for CPU resources, then thats all it needs.