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    Windows XP Multi Core Config was done correctly?

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by chooch, Aug 1, 2006.

  1. chooch

    chooch Notebook Guru

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    Is there anyway to tell if the Windows XP Multi Core Config was done correctly? :confused:

    I did the Config as per the instructions but the benchmark (3DMark06) test remained the same.
     
    chooch, Aug 1, 2006
    #1
  2. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    how to check:
    1) Make sure the WinXP Hotfix KB896256 is installed
    2) In the Registry:
    a.. Throttle (Key) must be there
    b.. PerfEnablePackageIdle (DWORD) has the value of 1
    3) Boot.ini has the command /usepmtimer in its last line


    thats pretty much it

    -Gophn
     
    Gophn, Aug 1, 2006
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  3. chooch

    chooch Notebook Guru

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    So there are no processes you can check if its working?
     
    chooch, Aug 2, 2006
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  4. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    if you look in the Task Manager, under Performance tab, there should be 2 CPUs present, and should split the load of any game or program

    -Gophn
     
    Gophn, Aug 2, 2006
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  5. chooch

    chooch Notebook Guru

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    So how does that relate to Windows XP Multi Core Config?
     
    chooch, Aug 3, 2006
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  6. p_boucher

    p_boucher Notebook Evangelist NBR Reviewer

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    No there are no processes. The mulmti core thing is only to make sure Windows XP optimally split workload between processors.

    And take note that for 1 program to be multi-threaded is has to be built that way. And there are not much programs that can do this, especially games. The only real applications that can take advantage of multiple cores are video encoding applications. So for the rest, we have to make sure that Windows at least equally split the workload from different processes between the 2 cores (Text editing and unzipping for example).

    So apart from checking your registry entries, there is no way to assume Windows XP is correctly configured. There is no flag anywhere :), apart from checking on what Gophn said. The load on the 2 cpus should be more/less balanced. Fire up intensive tasks and look how it goes.
     
    p_boucher, Aug 3, 2006
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  7. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    p_boucher is correct....

    However, there are certain games at this time (ex. Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion) that will take advantage of the multi cores.

    In any case, you should run Super PI and PCMark to see the scores, if you have read Kilim's 5760 Review, you can compare it to his scores.

    -Gophn
     
    Gophn, Aug 3, 2006
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  8. WeelyTM

    WeelyTM Notebook Consultant

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    don't forget quake 4 w/patch
     
    WeelyTM, Aug 3, 2006
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  9. Runner

    Runner Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just purchased a Dell D820 with T7200 processor. The registry was set fine but the boot.ini file did not have the /usepmtimer. Is there any reason I should not add this to the boot.ini file?
     
    Runner, Oct 23, 2006
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  10. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    make sure that you have:

    -The WinXP Hotfix KB896256 installed (it doesnt come with Windows Update)
    -and yes you have to add the /usepmtimer in its last line of the Boot.ini (in order to get the performance to be optimized
     
    Gophn, Oct 23, 2006
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  11. Runner

    Runner Notebook Enthusiast

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    The hotfix had been installed by Dell and I have now added the /usepmtimer.
     
    Runner, Oct 23, 2006
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  12. donka

    donka Notebook Geek

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    Where can we download the hotfix?
     
    donka, Nov 10, 2006
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  13. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    Gophn, Nov 10, 2006
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  14. donka

    donka Notebook Geek

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    Thanks. Is this the latest version as it says v3 but I think the MS knowledge base says v4??
     
    donka, Nov 11, 2006
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  15. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

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    The knowledge base is correct there is a v4.1 but its only for German (DEU) version of Windows XP. I believe that there were some issues in that international version that prompted MS to make another version. I havent heard any issues so far for the current v3 hotfix. Its been pretty rock solid so far for who ever that has done it.
     
    Gophn, Nov 11, 2006
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  16. donka

    donka Notebook Geek

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    Gophn, many thanks for your help. It is much appreciated. I did this on my Inspiron 6400 but never really noticed any improvement using Super Pi although my desktop dual core machine had a good improvement. Incidentally, my Inspiron was on battery but with the power mode set to Always On. I'll try it later today on power to see if there is any difference.
     
    donka, Nov 12, 2006
    #16