Windows XP and Hyperthreading

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Ok well I am just planning on buying Windows XP, and have an Intel 2.4C processor(Hyperthreading), and am wondering if I have to buy WIndows XP Pro to take advantage of the "dual processors". I know that XP home doesnt support multiprocessors, but since the it is Hyperthreading and not two physical processors, I was hoping that I won't have to spend the extra 100 or so dollars for Pro, just for full support of my processor.

I read the FAQ's and went to the link about XP pro/home differances and read the non-support for multiprocessors and am just hoping that this only applies to physical ones and not hyperthreading before I buy either of them.

Thanks in advance :)

[Panama Red]

Nope, you can use either Pro or Home, your choice. Both support HT.

[ZeratulsAvenger]

Originally posted by Panama Red
Nope, you can use either Pro or Home, your choice. Both support HT.

Many thanks :D I believe they should make that more clear on Microsoft.com... :(

[Kubie]

Even with W2K, you can take advantage of the Hypethreading technology.
Carl

[Markoman01027]

Yes you can, but my ASUS manual is wrong, it states that WIN2K does not support Hyperthreading technology.

Although if you enter task manager, and check out the CPU usage graph, it will show two columns instead of one.

[Kubie]

I agree, Markoman! The Asus manual is wrong.
I'm using W2K and HT right now on this machine for F@H.
Carl

[lil Jimmie]

Yes 2K does work with a HyperThreading cpu as a dual cpu but it really doesn't take full advantage of the HyperThreading technology like XP or 2003 Server and in some cases there can be performance loss on a 2K system so in a way ASUS is right.

[Kubie]

Yes 2K does work with a HyperThreading cpu as a dual cpu but it really doesn't take full advantage of the HyperThreading technology like XP or 2003 Server and in some cases there can be performance loss on a 2K system so in a way ASUS is right.

lil jimmie,
I think a person would need a benchmark program to see any loss of performance.
I have HT on my XP Pro pc as well as this W2K and from these old eyes, they seem to run the same.
Carl

[Statica]

Performance drop in w2k with HT
From MS - http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/docs/hyperthreading.doc
From benchmarks- http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/urltrurl?lp=de_en&url=http://www.computerbase.de/article.php?id=229

[mofo]

I noticed in my BIOS that HT was enabled for my P4 3.0G, but i only have one cpu installed. Does that affect performance? should i disable it?

[Kubie]

lil jimmie and Statica,
I see via the benchmarks what you are saying, however since I'm not a gamer or avid multi-tasker, I haven't noticed any dropoff of performance.
I'm sure that if I were working the pc hard, I'd see a slow down.
Thank you for the information. It was a good read.
Carl