Vista & Multiple processors

[Lexluethar]

I've been studying for an MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist) in Microsoft Vista. I believe Microsoft offers the MCTS track for a few different 'specialties.' I was reading my book last night (don't remember who the publisher was) and it said that multiple processors are NOT utilized by Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium. This doesn't mean they won't work, it just means they won't utilize both processors.

I got to thinking this is a big sham. I mean all of the Dell and HP desktops you purchase come with Vista Home Basic or Premium (you can upgrade for a price). And a lot of people are pulled into thinking their quad or dual core machines will run these OS's much faster, when in reality they won't. Programs will run faster, you can run multiple programs much more efficiently, but the OS itself will not run faster (Home editions).

Someone please talk to me... fill me in... I usually just read the material and move on, but this one really stuck with me and i had to do some investigation.

Okay i think i answered my own question. All versions of Vista support multiple processors in the same core/dye, just if you are using an environment where there are 2 or more physical processors on the same motherboard, you can't use one of the Vista home products to take advantage (they will work just won't use all the processors).

 

[NightSurge]

So you are saying, if we had like 2 x QX9775 on a skulltrail motherboard, the Home editions won't work and you'd have to use Ultimate? I think that makes sense.

A single Q6600 on Home Premium or Basic will work and use all 4 cores, but when 2 actual processors are on the same system (as in servers and skulltrail platforms) then Ultimate is needed to utilize the extra processor.

 

[EricB]

xp home and pro was like that

 

[Lexluethar]

Correct Vel. My book was just very vague when explaining what it meant by a multiple processor environment. I kinda freaked out at first and though holy cow, but after doing some more research they mean actual physical processors, not multiple cores on the same dye.

So Vista Home Basic and Home Premium will still work with a system that has two physical cores, it just won't use both cores. In order to take advantage of that you need Business, Enterprise, or Unlimited.

I really thought it was weird which is why i had to bring up the discussion - i think everyone is on the same page now

 

[forrestcupp]

You're not understanding it right. Vista Home Basic and Home Premium will support and utilize an unlimited number of "cores". They just won't support separate physical processors; you need Business, Ultimate or a Server edition for that. Most computers you buy have multiple "cores", not multiple physical processors.

But now I see that you've already figured that out. Actually Business and Ultimate only support 2 physical procs. You have to buy a Server OS to get support for more. But like I said, most people have multiple cores, not processors.