DUAL CORE CPU PERFORMANCE LOSS WITH XP SP2

[PC TECH250]

" Experts Tip: Don't Forget The Patch
As I'm sure most users are aware, Microsoft WindowsXP can be very buggy and all versions available suffer from a 'dual core' bug. Essentially, Microsoft WindowsXP with Service Pack 2 can suffer from decreased performance when a dual core processor is installed. To solve this problem, Microsoft has posted a nonessential patch on its Windows Update website that should be downloaded and installed, or you can follow the instructions here . Either solution will address the dual core performance issue." http://support.microsoft.com/?id=896256

The above concerns the review of the AMD Athlon64 FX-60 Dual Core Processor.
The review can be read at: http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1918
where it runs an 18 page article. Additional information on a comparison between
AMD amd Intel can be found at: http://www.penstarsys.com/editor/com...roe/index.html

[frel-dar]

This may be an obvious question, but I have a dual core CPU (See below) - should I download the patch (or is it really not worth it).

Mainboard : MICRO-STAR INC. (MS-6728)
Chipset : Intel i865PE
Processor : Intel Pentium 4 @ 3000 MHz (HT)

[PC TECH250]

The article primarily focuses on the AMD dual core model there. Microsoft only recommends
the "hotfix" if you have seeing a noticable performance loss. This would not generally see a
need if you are not experiencing problems at present with XP's Servoce Pack 2 installed or a
64 bit version of Windows server 2003 editions. However if you had just installed XP along with SP2 or installed SP2 and soon noticed an overall drop in performance the advice would be to look over the MS link to see if the patch applies.

This is an item that you might decide to download to a folder without immediate installation in case of later need if you are not already running XP with the SP2 inplace. The purpose of
the hot fix here would be to correct issues that have come up with the dual core cpus after
the service pack is added or installed with the later released installation disks with SP2. The
article caught attention here due to the current lookover of the AMD64 4800+ X2 that will be
considered for next build. You wouldn't rush on this. This is for special circumstances where
performance issues have come up.

[HeadBand]

Originally Posted by frel-dar

This may be an obvious question, but I have a dual core CPU (See below) - should I download the patch (or is it really not worth it).

Mainboard : MICRO-STAR INC. (MS-6728)
Chipset : Intel i865PE
Processor : Intel Pentium 4 @ 3000 MHz (HT)

hyper threading is not dual core...the dual cores are pentium D and they accually have 2 cores, not just an advanced thread sceduler that thinks its a cpu

[Sixpac_XP]

does this affect me if I am running a AMD 4200+ X2 (dual core processor) I am using Windows XP SP2.

what should I do

[PC TECH250]

If you were experiencing a noticable drop in performance without other causes this might
then apply. If you have been running with SP2 installed for some time without problems and
suddenly started noticing a performance drop, determination of other possible causes would
come first in line. If you were running XP with an older SP1 equipped disk and suddenty saw
the type of issue addressed at the MS link after installing the update then you would look at
the article for considering the "hot fix" as it is referred to.

The MS patch here is not for general use but involves certain issues after SP2 goes on. The
PCStats article deals mainly with 4800+ when reference to the patch is made. This may not
even be noticed with various other models. Each cpu has it's own specific design where this
type issue may not come up on different models. The main reason Microsoft has to develop
"hot fixes" has more to do with keeping up with the hardwares that have a faster turnover.

It takes about three years for another OS like Vista where you wait a matter of months for
a new line of cpus to come out. You wouldn't need a specific patch if your system is already running normal with SP2 installed.

[desiredfaith]

could that be the issue with my games running slow as can be?

[frel-dar]

Originally Posted by HeadBand

hyper threading is not dual core...the dual cores are pentium D and they accually have 2 cores, not just an advanced thread sceduler that thinks its a cpu

That makes sense - thanks for the info. So even though some programs will list my system as having 2 processors, it really is just labeling the Advance Thread Scheduler as a 2nd 3.0 processor? Ah, Software!

[PC TECH250]

Originally Posted by desiredfaith

could that be the issue with my games running slow as can be?

It is possible. But you would also see an overall performance drop as a result of
installing SP2 on an XP system. That would see a number things slowed down. The
slow down seen in games can have several reasons like a need for updating video
and sound drivers as well as driver issues and software glitches. Some of the new
games out even require you to update ATI video cards pratically as soon as a new
update for the Catalyst control center is available. For just one program you would
likely have more need for updating softwares rather then a special patch from MS.

[johnnyis42]

some people have fixed game issues by setting the processor afinity to one core for the game process. there is another thread asking about this as well.