How many cores does XP Pro support?

dan_aka_jack · 28 Jun 2006 at 15:32

Hi there,

How many processor cores does Windows XP Pro support? In this link Microsoft says Win XP Pro 32-bit and 64-bit supports "2 processors". Does that mean "2 cores"? Or will Win XP Pro use four cores (i.e. 2 x dual core)?

Thanks,
Jack

tom_e · 28 Jun 2006 at 15:34

i think its 2 physical then 2 virtual on each core

dan_aka_jack · 28 Jun 2006 at 15:36

OK, cool. So does that mean that these configs are legal:

Dual-core Intel processor with HT enabled on each core (4 virtual cores)
Dual-core Athlon

But these configs are illegal:

2 x dual-core (i.e. 4 "real" cores)

tom_e · 28 Jun 2006 at 15:41

i think thats right although it might be 4 physical cores that are allowed, but either way other configs arnt illegal its just that xp wont recognise the extra cores

Curiosityx · 28 Jun 2006 at 16:15

Windows Licensing is per socket not per core and yes it will work fine with 4 physical and 8 virtual cpus if Hyperthreading is enabled.

dan_aka_jack · 28 Jun 2006 at 16:37

Ah, fantastic! So I can run Windows XP Pro 32-bit on a "quad-core" system?

Many thanks,
Jack

Curiosityx · 28 Jun 2006 at 17:16

dan_aka_jack said:
Ah, fantastic! So I can run Windows XP Pro 32-bit on a "quad-core" system?

Many thanks,
Jack

Yes.

dan_aka_jack · 28 Jun 2006 at 17:17

Er - nice! Quad core with 12GB of RAM. Just out of interest: what do you use that beast for?

Curiosityx · 28 Jun 2006 at 17:26

dan_aka_jack said:
Er - nice! Quad core with 12GB of RAM. Just out of interest: what do you use that beast for?

I cant confess to it being mine but it is an example of what can be achieved.

ozzy · 28 Jun 2006 at 18:24

Just out of interest, can XP32 address 12Gb of ram?

iBot · 28 Jun 2006 at 18:36

ozzy said:
Just out of interest, can XP32 address 12Gb of ram?

Yes.

tom_e · 28 Jun 2006 at 19:10

completly off topic but iBot do you play in a CS:S clan called prime?

FreeStream · 28 Jun 2006 at 19:13

iBot said:
Yes.

No it can't it can only adress 4Gb of ALL system mem, gfx, CPU etc.

XP64 can do 32Gb/whatever.

XP supports up to 32 cores.

CR.

NathanE · 28 Jun 2006 at 22:01

XP Pro supports...
2 CPU sockets, up to 4 cores (excl. logical)
4GB RAM maximum incl. PAE mode.

XP supports up to 32 cores.

Lies!

FreeStream · 28 Jun 2006 at 22:21

NathanE said:
XP Pro supports...
2 CPU sockets, up to 4 cores (excl. logical)
4GB RAM maximum incl. PAE mode.

Lies!

Then why can I set affinity to 31 CPUs :confused:

NathanE · 28 Jun 2006 at 23:07

Concorde Rules said:
Then why can I set affinity to 31 CPUs

You can't

You'd need a server edition of Windows to get that much parallelism.

Berserker · 29 Jun 2006 at 00:34

Indeed - the checkboxes are there but you can't get at them. I believe Task Manager is a direct port from Windows 2000, which could support that many (with the right server version, of course).

crashuk · 29 Jun 2006 at 00:38

2 processors.

FreeStream · 29 Jun 2006 at 08:24

SO when wood-crest comes out, 4 cores, I can't use em all :confused:

or is that the limit?

Edit: thats the limit. Ah good lol

NathanE · 29 Jun 2006 at 08:46

Woodcrest is only dual core. Although if you buy 2 and a duallie board to put them in you'll still be within the XP Pro limit (albeit at the absolute edge!)