[Bowflex]

To all dual core processor owners: In a 2006 fall issue of Maximum PC, there was an article about problems with Windows XP and dual core processors. Specifically, the inconsistency of performance while playing games. Gamers were complaining of either significant drops in frame rate or games running at hyper speeds. Either scenario would occur sporadically. The solution consisted of either going to AMDzone.com and downloading what is known as the Windows XP Hotfix and or an AMD Patch which can be found at amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/utilities/amdcpu.exe. The Hotfix was developed to deal with the specific Microsoft issue "896256." Has anyone heard of the above and had to use either one or both utilities? I myself had no issues( I just installed an AMD X2 4200+) but decided to use both utilities just to prevent future problems. I hope I didn't screw up anything in doing so. If anyone is interested in this 2 page article, I'll gladly fax it to interested parties. Here's a synopsis of what the article is saying: "Windows XP has issues with dual-core processors' low-power states. For example, in WinXP, AMD's Cool 'N' Quiet technology automatically throttles the CPU, lowering it's clock speed when the system doesn't need the extra power, but sometimes Windows won't crank the CPU speed back up when the system needs the extra juice." This can be witnessed when running a CPU-intensive benchmark test such as Sisoft Sandra's CPU test. It goes on from there. Your thoughts.

[jbking]

Do we know if there is a similar issue in Vista with dual or quad-core processors?I do remember hearing about it though I don't think I singled out to install it on my dual-core system that hasn't had any issues other than the dead batteries for my mouse.Regards,JB

[Bowflex]

I haven't heard any issues with Vista.

[spike]

I vaguley, remember thisBut it was not a problem with XP, so much as it was a problem with a chipset and bios, and so long as the bios was updated , you SHOULD, be good to go, I have allways been suspicious of those utilities, that claim to manage your CPU speeds and "throttle back to save energy and run cooler",

[StormX2]

yah you need to download amd's dual core optimizerthough i will still notice inconsitant framerates now and thenbut nothing bad enough to make me throguh my amd 3700 back in =)

[coastie65]

I have a Pentium D 805. Some of my older games , Dungeon Siege for one, won't run in dual core mode. I have to go into bios and enable single core mode in order to play them. Seems like a waste. Neverwinter Nights also had an issue with dual core, but I think they put out a patch to take care of the problem. coastie65