what the hell? dual Core Physical or not? Quad core..

[Mac]

I was under the impression without doing any real reading about "dual cores" I thought a Dual Core was actually two Physical Processors in one chip? I started to think about NT4.0 and w2k with the issue of 1-2 and 4+ processor edition packages... Taking this even more down the line I thought about what if I want a Dual or Quad core Processor..
( I went back to look and they say YES its two Processors.) OK....

So I start poking around and find this with Vista..

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase...ions_final.asp

---------------------------------------------------
Processor and memory support
Feature Str Home N Home B Home P Bus N Bus Ent Ult
Supports 32-bit processors (x86) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Amount of RAM supported on 32-bit systems 256 MB 8 GB 8 GB 16 GB Max
physical Max
physical Max
physical Max
physical
Supports 64-bit processors (x64) No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Amount of RAM supported on x64 systems n/a 8 GB 8 GB 16 GB 128 GB+ 128 GB+ 128 GB+ 128 GB+
Number of physical CPUs supported 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2

There's been some confusion about the difference between multiple processors and multiple processor cores (for example, both Intel and AMD are currently selling dual-core CPUs, and quad-core chips are on the way). While all of the Vista product editions support only one or two physical processors, none are limited to the number of processor cores they will support.

---------------------------------------------------------------

The last comment where they talk about Physical verse core. I came across another comment on how a single processor with HT shows up as two processors? so say they make a quad core with HT for each core and based on those readings I have 8 Processing processes? What the hell? I'm sure if I go look and search I will get the answer I want but dam... Who was smoking the crack when they came up with this one.... What bugs me about this is if you have a Dual Core and its really only one how the hell does this system work if its suppose to be 2 processors? A Processor is a Processor. Its not a Virtual Processor so what the hell. My Vulcan Style of Logic is failing me at this time.

Give me the days of if I wanted a dual or quad I needed 2 or 4 Physical CPU's not this Fantasy Island CPU crap.

I'm sure there is just a small piece of the puzzle I'm missing but, if I take that all above and smash it together does that mean that a single chip has a special process for handling SMP or is this still software based. I'm scratching my head now more cause I thought I actually understood what the hell is going on here. Obviously I fell off the boat 3 miles back.

Comments?

[{OF}Malicious Assault]

My box has a single processer and HT it shows up as 2 processors in the system folder. Hmmm, I'm with you MAC, I'm confused. Maybe the all knowledgable Chemical Warrier will enligthen us

[{OF}Erad]

Ok guys, I'll try and clear this up for you. There are 2 things, one being the Physical Sockets on a MoBo, and that is how the OS and Programs are set for licensing (Except for Oracle and Veritas). The designator for the socket is "P". Then you have cores, which can be Single, Dual, or Quad at the moment. Cores are desginated by "C". A Single Physical Socketed CPU with 1 Core is 1P/1C. If you have a Dual core instead, it is considered 1P/2C, and a quad core would be 1P/4C. Microsoft, and most others except for Oracle and Veritas, base the licensing on the "P", or Socket, not on the cores or hyperthreads.

Here is a doc from Microsoft that better explains it: http://www.oldfart.com/ftp/Erad-pics...erthread_brief[1].doc

[{OF}Malicious Assault]

So as long as you only "P" on Microsoft once they are happy

[{OF}Erad]

Right from the site that Mac Listed:


Processor and memory support
What about processor and memory support? Most Windows Vista product editions will be available in both 32-bit and 64-bit (x64) versions. Here's how the various versions support each processor type, and how much RAM they allow.

There's been some confusion about the difference between multiple processors and multiple processor cores (for example, both Intel and AMD are currently selling dual-core CPUs, and quad-core chips are on the way). While all of the Vista product editions support only one or two physical processors, none are limited to the number of processor cores they will support.

[Soul]

Originally Posted by {OF}Erad

Ok guys, I'll try and clear this up for you. There are 2 things, one being the Physical Sockets on a MoBo, and that is how the OS and Programs are set for licensing (Except for Oracle and Veritas). The designator for the socket is "P". Then you have cores, which can be Single, Dual, or Quad at the moment. Cores are desginated by "C". A Single Physical Socketed CPU with 1 Core is 1P/1C. If you have a Dual core instead, it is considered 1P/2C, and a quad core would be 1P/4C. Microsoft, and most others except for Oracle and Veritas, base the licensing on the "P", or Socket, not on the cores or hyperthreads.

Here is a doc from Microsoft that better explains it: http://www.oldfart.com/ftp/Erad-pics...erthread_brief[1].doc

Let us take a look at what the great Erad of HP as just laid on us - "or Quad at the moment." I love the last part, at the moment wink wink nudge nudge! :P

anyway - MS stated they will not change their licensing on core's it stays at the socket level.

[Smiley]

heh - I caught that too Soul

[{OF}Malicious Assault]

How many can they pack in one processor and not have it melt through the floor. I can see it now instead of delivering milk to the house they will be delivering liquid nitrogen

[Soul]

You would be surprised what the new stuff is doing as far as heat and power consumption - impressive stuff.

[ARX|Frag4U]

You put your left foot in; you put right foot in; then swing it all about and then do the hooky pooky...That's what's all about.