Windows 7: Processor QQQ...is it all or nothing??

I have an Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550...I assume this meanthere are 4 proc on the chip (or vice-verse) ...If one of the chips, or 1/4 of the Processor goes south...will the entire chip seize...or will you still have 3 chip operating??

I ask this because i am always getting a listing in my event viewer stating that
1 is in Idle State
3 are in performance state
0 are in throttle state...the complete msg here:


- System

- Provider


[ Name] Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Processor-Power


[ Guid] {0F67E49F-FE51-4E9F-B490-6F2948CC6027}



EventID 26


Version 0


Level 4


Task 4


Opcode 0


Keywords 0x8000000000000000

- TimeCreated


[ SystemTime] 2010-03-19T19:46:39.713223300Z



EventRecordID 1750


Correlation

- Execution


[ ProcessID] 4


[ ThreadID] 48



Channel System


Computer PaulyP-PC

- Security


[ UserID] S-1-5-18

- EventData

Group 0

Number 0

IdleStateCount 1

PerfStateCount 3

ThrottleStateCount 0

IdleState 01

PerfState 110B0000640000002009000052000000D307000046000000

Pauly

Things like this are often resolved by a bios update. Just be sure you have a backup and restore point in case.

It isnt saying that it is broken just that 1 core is idle

EDIT: My windows rating for my proc went down from a 7.1 to a 3.9...YIKES!!!