Windows Tip Sheet
Decoding Today's Processors
Intel has chips that can hyperthread your dual core. Don explains what that, and AMD64, means.
With Intel’s recent release of dual-core Xeon processors, the server
processor market is more confusing than ever. Dual-core, multiprocessor, hyperthreading
-- what’s it all mean, and how can you make a smart choice for your next
server purchase?
Here are the basics of what you need to know, with the marketing-speak toned
down as much as possible:
- 64-bit vs. 32-bit. Intel’s 64-bit Itanium is dying fast except
in mega-high-end database server platforms; x64 is where it’s at. If
you’re buying AMD processors, they’re called AMD64; Intel calls
it EM64T. Neither manufacturer offers a separate line of x64 processors --
instead, their existing processor lines include models with either AMD64 or
EM64T support. 32-bit processors for server purchases don’t seem like
a very cost-effective purchase anymore. You don’t need a special operating
system to run on an x64 processor, although you’ll get the most advantage
by running an x64 edition of Win2003 -- and that doesn’t cost any more
than the equivalent 32-bit version.
- Hyperthreading. An Intel trademark for processors that can process
instructions in parallel using multiple internal pipelines. These typically
appear in Windows as dual-processor units, although they’re not quite
as fast as a true dual processor would be.
- Dual core. Units are available from both AMD and Intel, and essentially
package two processors in one unit. The two cores usually share some cache
resources. To make things complicated, cores (Intel ones, at least) can include
Hyperthreading, giving you a quasi-quad processor in a single processor package.
- Multiprocessor. Processors these days need to be specifically designed
for multiprocessing (especially beyond two-way); Intel’s Xeon MP processors
are an example. This is true multiprocessing, with discrete independent processor
packages. Of course, each processor can be dual-core and/or Hyperthreading
-- for example, put four AMD Athlon64 dual-core processors into a server and
it’s technically an eight-way machine.
Microsoft treats the processor package as its licensing point: If you’ve
only got one physical processor module, then you’ve only got one “processor”
as far as Windows licensing is concerned. Multiple cores don’t count as
“processors” for Windows licensing purposes.
More Resources:
About the Author
Don Jones is a multiple-year recipient of Microsoft’s MVP Award, and is Curriculum Director for IT Pro Content for video training company Pluralsight. Don is also a co-founder and President of PowerShell.org, a community dedicated to Microsoft’s Windows PowerShell technology. Don has more than two decades of experience in the IT industry, and specializes in the Microsoft business technology platform. He’s the author of more than 50 technology books, an accomplished IT journalist, and a sought-after speaker and instructor at conferences worldwide. Reach Don on Twitter at @concentratedDon, or on Facebook at Facebook.com/ConcentratedDon.