Intel processor hotfix for Windows XP sp2. Do I need it?

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franpa
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Intel processor hotfix for Windows XP sp2. Do I need it?

Post by franpa »

Windows XP SP2 is required on computers that have multiple CPUs that support ACPI processor performance states. This requirement includes computers that support the following items:
• Multiple physical sockets
• Multiple-core designs
• Multiple logical threads, such as Intel hyper-threading technology
Because Windows XP was not originally designed to support performance states on multiprocessor configurations, changes are required to correctly realize this support on multiprocessor systems. Windows XP Service Pack 2 includes the required changes to the kernel power manager. These changes make sure that Windows XP correctly functions on multiprocessor systems with processor performance states.

This hotfix also addresses the following issues on computers that have multiple processors that support processor performance states:
• A possible decrease in performance on single-threaded workloads when processor performance states are using demand-based switching.
• The synchronization of the processor Time Stamp Counter (TSC) registers across processors when you use the ACPI Power Management timer on multiprocessor systems.
• ACPI C-state promotion and demotion issues in the kernel power manager.
http://support.microsoft.com//kb/896256

Since i have a Core 2 DUO processor, do i need this hotfix? is this the reason why Bsnes uses multiple threads when it shouldn't?


EDIT: The title says Service Pack 2 needs the hotfix yet under the More Information heading it talks about Service Pack 2 being needed for such processors to function right and that "Windows XP" (IE: does not mention Service Pack level) was not originally designed for such processors. Then it continues on about Windows XP Service Pack 2 including the required changes already.
Last edited by franpa on Sat Feb 23, 2008 3:15 am, edited 4 times in total.
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neo_bahamut1985
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Post by neo_bahamut1985 »

Uh, since my current CPU has hyper-threading, should I get it too?
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Post by Starman Ghost »

If you have service pack 2, you already have the hotfix.
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Post by neo_bahamut1985 »

Oh..
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Post by franpa »

apparently (according to the article) sharing the load of a single threaded program over all the cores is normal for Windows XP Service Pack 2 which means it is normal for Bsnes to use both cores.
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Post by sweener2001 »

what an obvious question.

"do i need this patch that fixes broken behavior?"

you might as well have been asking whether you needed the lsass patch.
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Post by franpa »

the article mixes up between Windows XP Service pack 2 and Windows XP. how was i to know that service pack 2 included it when in giant letters at the top it says that service pack 2 users DO need this patch?
Computers that are running Windows XP Service Pack 2 and that are equipped with multiple processors that support processor power management features may experience decreased performance
Additional updates are available to optimize performance and behavior on computers that are running Windows XP SP2.
Because Windows XP was not originally designed to support performance states on multiprocessor configurations, changes are required to correctly realize this support on multiprocessor systems. Windows XP Service Pack 2 includes the required changes to the kernel power manager. These changes make sure that Windows XP correctly functions on multiprocessor systems with processor performance states.
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Post by sweener2001 »

not helping yourself out here.

it says without the patch, you get decreased performance. so download it. if it's installed already, it won't matter. if not, performance boost. either way, you're not wasting anyone's time or looking like an idiot.
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Post by Deathlike2 »

Just go download and install it.

It is needed for some games/apps that force Power Management to change states (if you're running a web browser, you are not going to be running at 100% CPU for instance).

If you are an using a Intel Processor that is a P4 with HT or later and are experiencing performance problems when certain games/apps seem slow, that fix is for you.

You have to be using XP SP2 to take advantage of it. The article describes changes made to the OS so that dual-core/multithreaded cores.. but obviously there is an issue after making these changes... hence the patch.

Please read the article thoroughly as you wouldn't need to ask the question in the first place.
Last edited by Deathlike2 on Sat Feb 23, 2008 4:37 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by franpa »

Yep, Deathlike2 appears to be correct based on the fact that the download page for the update actually states only Windows XP Service Pack 2 is required.
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Post by neo_bahamut1985 »

So, would I need it for this CPU or is there a quick way to find out if I already have it or not.
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Post by Deathlike2 »

neo_bahamut, can you read?
Deathlike2 w/minor edits wrote:If you are an using a Intel Processor that is a P4 with HT or later and are experiencing performance problems when certain games/apps seem slow, that fix is for you.
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Post by neo_bahamut1985 »

Alright..
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Post by franpa »

Yep, all Intel Processors with HT/multiple cores or multiple physical processors will need that hotfix if you prefer performance over power savings.
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Post by sweener2001 »

congratulations.

it only took fourteen hours this time. i think we have a new record
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Post by franpa »

Hey, they say that service pack 2 includes the changes which is what confused me.
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Post by Gil_Hamilton »

franpa wrote:Hey, they say that service pack 2 includes the changes which is what confused me.
Noooo...
They say SP2 is needed for multi-core processors to work, and this patch is needed to address a bug in SP2's multi-core support.
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Post by grinvader »

General surgeon notice:

Headbanging walls or other hard surfaces can damage them. Please think of the innocent hard surfaces.
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Post by odditude »

grinvader wrote:General surgeon notice:

Headbanging walls or other hard surfaces can damage them. Please think of the innocent hard surfaces.
That's why padded walls are so nice... less collateral damage.
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Post by whicker »

franpa, have you also installed the core2 intel drivers for your CPU?
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Post by franpa »

elaborate... i have installed the motherboards chipset drivers from intel.
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Post by whicker »

franpa wrote:elaborate... i have installed the motherboards chipset drivers from intel.
fine. you're good.
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