Can Microsoft SQL Server Express Utilize both Cores of a Dual Core Processor like Pentium D???

[Supafast]

Hi, as stated above, I wanted to know if anyone knew if Microsoft SQL Server Express can utilize both Cores of a Dual Core Processor like Pentium D?

It says it will run on only ONE Processor (Express Verison, not normal SQL Server), but what about a Dual Core Processor?

I am about to build a bunch of computers expressly to run SQL Server Express version and I don't want to buy a DC chip if I won't be able to utilize it because that's all these boxes are ever gonna do!

Thanks for any info or help!

Craig
Xtreme11
Supafast

 

[Fardringle]

A dual core processor (and even Intel's HT technology) is effectively two separate processors as far as the operating system goes. So no, it most likely will not use both cores.

 

[EatSpam]

If that's the case, build Pentium D systems anyway and run two SQL Server Express VMs using VMWare server. VMWare server is free and will run on a free Linux distro.

You'll save money on hardware, energy, and space.

 

[Mark R]

SQL Server Express will only use a single thread, so will not make use of the 'hyperthreaded' core of an HT processor, or the 2nd core in a DC machine.

This is in contrast to the paid-for versions of SQL server. The high-end versions are licences per CPU - so a 2 CPU SQL server license, will run 8 threads if used with 2 dual-core hyperthreaded CPUs.