xp home/ dual core

[Guest]

I have been looking around and several sites say that only xp pro recognizes
dual core processors and xp home does not . could somebody confirm please.

 

[Kerry Brown]

I have been looking around and several sites say that only xp pro
recognizes dual core processors and xp home does not . could somebody
confirm please.

Microsoft OS licensing is based on the number of processors installed. A
dual core is considered by Microsoft to be one processor. XP Home is
licensed for one processor so a dual core Pentium or Athlon will work fine.
For that matter a multi-core processor should also be fine when they are
available.

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

Kerry

 

[Guest]

It may be licenced but does it run at full dual core potential? thanks

 

[Kerry Brown]

I haven't tried XP Home with a dual core processor but I have tried it with
hyperthreading. Both logical CPUs were recognized and used by XP Home. I
assume a dual core would work the same.

Kerry

 

[Guest]

I'm still not sure every site says one of the main differences is xp pro
supports dual core and by definition that means xp home does not.

 

[Kerry Brown]

I'm still not sure every site says one of the main differences is xp
pro supports dual core and by definition that means xp home does not.

How many of those sites provide actual test results? I'm not saying they are
wrong. I don't have the time to test it right now so I can't say for sure
either. I did a google search and read some of the sites. I didn't see any
real world results only conjecture. Maybe someone else with an existing dual
core/Home setup will let us know for sure.

Kerry

 

[Ron Martell]

It may be licenced but does it run at full dual core potential? thanks

That, as is the case with actual dual CPUs, is a matter of software
design. Application programs need to be designed and compiled with
the ability to detect and utilize multiple CPUs and most current
software does not have this capability.

Windows itself will only make limited use of the dual CPU
capabilities, and that applies equally to Home and Pro editions as
both are compiled from the same source code base.

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[Guest]

Thats the answer I needed,thanks canada Ron ,from Aussie Ron.