Processors

[emr]

Two Intel Xeon Dual Core processors.

Question is will XP see all four processors? I am getting all messed up trying to work this one out. As far as I know XP only supports two processors however as these are two processors with two cores in each will this not mean that effectively it is four processors and XP will only show two?

Or am I completely off at a tangent?

Have done the usual Google but nothing concrete to hang a hat on.

TIA,

emr

[emr]

Right, found this.
Windows XP Professional can support up to two processors regardless of the number of cores on the processor.

http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/h...multicore.mspx

It is not the number of cores but the number of processors therefore XP Pro is good for up to two processors and however many cores.

I still feel it is a bit ambiguous as to how many processors will actually show up, whether they be real processors, cores or virtual through HT.

Theoretically going by the MS statement above you could have two dual core processors all running HyperThreading which would show eight processors albeit four of them being virtual.

****, I've just confused myself again.

emr

[CCT]

Good article also: http://www.intel.com/design/intarch/...5100/index.htm

[CCT]

This also:

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_cont...ookie%5Ftest=1

[emr]

This also:

http://www.gamepc.com/labs/view_cont...ookie%5Ftest=1

Thanks CCT, the screenshot and comments on page 3 confirm it then.

Now what would happen if we put two of the quad core processors with HT that Intel and AMD are talking about releasing on an XP Pro box. Would you see 16 processors or would it just melt?

emr

[CCT]

This article points out the restrictions imposed on multi-processor systems even now.

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/arc....mspx?mfr=true

I believe there will have to be major advances/changes in distributed operating and hardware system architecture that interfaces effectively with multiple processor platforms.