Dual core / Dual processor OS License

Former user wrote on 11/22/2005, 11:33 AM
I'm thinking it's about time to upgrade my system and the new dual core AMD CPU's are looking pretty nice. I'm looking at a dual core / Dual processor mobo (a total of 4 processors) and was curious about how Microsoft is going to license this latest paradigm shift in cpu technology.

Microsoft grants two licenses for use with a dual processor system with an OS purchase. But, what about the dual cores -- are they considered two CPU's? Well, MS has now announced that they will license the dual core CPU as a single processor, so I guess I won't have to budget for two copies of Windows for the new system ;-)

Jim

Comments

fldave wrote on 11/22/2005, 12:06 PM
MS's server software (Windows 2000/2003 Advanced Server) is licensed per processor. Below is an exerpt from Microsoft that clarifies XP licensing:

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

"Q. How does this licensing policy affect products such as Microsoft Windows XP Professional?

A. Microsoft Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Windows XP Home are not affected by this policy as they are licensed per installation and not per processor. Windows XP Professional can support up to two processors regardless of the number of cores on the processor. Microsoft Windows XP Home supports one processor."
BrianStanding wrote on 11/22/2005, 12:15 PM
Will WinXP Home run dual-cores, or do you need WinXP Pro?
fldave wrote on 11/22/2005, 12:20 PM
From the discussions previously on this board, XP Home runs dual cores and sees it as 2 cpus. I run XP Pro, so I can't verify it.
VVentures wrote on 12/21/2005, 12:38 PM
That being the case, does anyone know how well Vegas takes advantage of Dual CPUs each Hyperthreaded so effectively 4 processors?
FrigidNDEditing wrote on 12/21/2005, 1:14 PM
"Dual CPUs each Hyperthreaded so effectively 4 processors?"

This is a misconception. HT is not like Multicore, It is just able to allow more theads to run on a proc, so if a program is poorly coded, then it can make it slightly more effiecnet. IF you are running Multple CPU's that are HT, with vegas, it is better to turn off the Hyper Threading as it can actually use more juice to try and run more theads on a single core, rather than just letting it split accross the two CPU's - No HT.

Hope this clarifies some.

Dave
goshep wrote on 12/21/2005, 7:27 PM
People of the world unite....and let Linux free us all from the tyranny of Bill Gates!!!!
*Finishes post and starts up some random Microsoft application*
GlennChan wrote on 12/21/2005, 10:57 PM
Some things in Vegas benefit from hyperthreading... and some things don't.

In one test (which is not very real world at all), I saw about a 17% or 20% increase from having HT on. Most people are reporting HT doesn't make a difference in Vegas 6 (i.e. sometimes it even slows things down neglibly).
dendence wrote on 12/22/2005, 5:00 AM
yes XP Home runs dual core processors. Very fast.