Question on Dual Core CPU's and Win2k Server Standard

[Guest]

Ok...right off the bat, let me state I am not asking about licensing. This is
strictly a hardware question.

If I had a Windows 2000 server (standard ed) with 4 Dual-Core CPU's (total
of 8 logical processors), would the system utilize a single core on each of
the 4 physical CPU's? or Would it just use the first two cores on the first
two phsyical CPU's? From what I know, Windows 2000 server was
pre-hyperthreading, only supports 4 CPU's, and cannot distinguish between
physical and logical processors.

The second part of my question is for Windows 2003 Server (standard ed).
Since 2003 server is HT aware, with the same scenario as above but using
W2K3, would I be able to utilize all 8 logical CPU's of the System?

If anyone can also provide reference to their answer (URL, etc), that would
be helpful.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Rob Stow]

Ok...right off the bat, let me state I am not asking about licensing. This is
strictly a hardware question.

If I had a Windows 2000 server (standard ed) with 4 Dual-Core CPU's (total
of 8 logical processors), would the system utilize a single core on each of
the 4 physical CPU's? or Would it just use the first two cores on the first
two phsyical CPU's? From what I know, Windows 2000 server was
pre-hyperthreading, only supports 4 CPU's, and cannot distinguish between
physical and logical processors.

Someone in a chips newsgroup I follow said that
there is a PDF about this somewhere at www.amd.com,
but I have not been able to find it.

What he claims it said is:

W2K, NT4, and W2K3 will use the first core in each CPU.
When all of the "first" cores have been used, then if
that version of Windows has the capability of using additional
processors it will start using the second cores until the CPU
limit is reached. XP is also much the same way: XP Home will
use one core while XP Pro can use both cores.

The second part of my question is for Windows 2003 Server (standard ed).
Since 2003 server is HT aware, with the same scenario as above but using
W2K3, would I be able to utilize all 8 logical CPU's of the System?

HT and dual-core and entirely different animals.

HT makes one physical processor seem like two logical processors.

Dual-core *is* two physical processors - there is no "seeming".

If anyone can also provide reference to their answer (URL, etc), that would
be helpful.

I'll look for that PDF again and post the URL if I find it.