Beware if using AMD Phenom II X4 Processor

Hi all
Just a little nasty surprise with the normally EXCELLENT, CHEAP and really fast AMD Phenom II X4 processor (3.2 GHZ 4 usable cores)

It DOESN'T support Hyper Threading technology so you CAN'T run 64 bit guests on your Host -- although the CPU itself runs HOST 64 bit OS'es just fine.

So if you are thinking of using one of these processors on a box you want to run some 64 BIT GUEST OS'es -- then I'm afraid it won't work.

Pity as I was looking at this processor as a nice fast cheap 4 way processor.

For games etc its fine but for other than 32 bit Guest VM's then I'm afraid forget it.

Cheers
jimbo

Hi there
Made an error -- ran the WRONG utility.

My fault -- it DOES support 64 bit guests.

Running the official one from VMWARE (create bootable CD and run the vmware compatability cpu test -- passed fine) .

Started to create 64 bit Guest -- OK too -- so I got my knickers in a twist on this one.

It's still a nice fast cheap CPU BTW with 4 independent cores that you can also specify how many you want to run at the boot time in the BIOS too.

Runs brilliantly with an ASUS M4A88T-M MB --- MY 8gb MB gave up the ghost -- would keep powering off every 15 mins so I decided as the store had one of these MB's available with the cpu as a "bundle offer" I bought the combo as a much cheaper option than buying a new PC with another 2 X 4GB memory sticks..

Took about 2 hrs to change the MB and re-load Windows and using the 2 X 4 GB RAM as well from the old MB to up the memory to 16 GB it's a nice performer.

Since I'm running Windows Enterprise on this rig re-activation wasn't a problem (W7 enterprise allows almost unlimited activations but it's not available at retail level) and it's a MUCH better testbed for VM's.

I did have to go through driver updates etc but the actual system DID boot first time when restoring the image from the previous machine (Acronis universal restore) .

MB / CPU / Memory all for under 300 EUR --- much better bet than buying a new PC -- power supply, case, HDD's, DVD's etc from the OLD PC was fine.

Running 4 concurrent vm's on this system is NO prob whatsoever -- 16 GB RAM is just what I needed anyway.

So although OT -- it's not hard at all to change a MOBO if you have to do it -- especially on a really wet and dreary Saturday afternoon.

Cheers
jimbo

pparks1 said:

jimbo45 said:

Since I'm running Windows Enterprise on this rig re-activation wasn't a problem (W7 enterprise allows almost unlimited activations but it's not available at retail level) and it's a MUCH better testbed for VM's.

Why do you think enterprise is a better platform for VM's? Is this because you use it for the guests and can activate them over and over again? personally, I hardly ever activate a VM. Just use the rearm trick a few times and you get 120 days. I never keep the same VM running much more than about 7-10 days. And it installs so fast from ISO, that reinstalling a new OS when I want to test something is a 10 miniute simple procedure.

Hi there --

it's just that I got a copy (legally) from work and running on different hardware saves any likely problem with activation -- note sometimes to test some MS products / downloads Windows must PASS the GENUINE VALIDATION TEST which requires Windows to be activated.

I test the same VM on both the AMD and INTEL platforms so even though I'm essentially re-loading an ISO a hardware change is usually detected and activation requested. 2 different ISO's will fix that problem but : -

For other stuff the 120 days is fine -- no probs there - but sometimes you need Windows to be activated before a feature will download / install from MS..

Featurewise Enterprise is identical to ULTIMATE.

Cheers
jimbo