can one core of a dual become disabled?

[dennilfloss]

Probably a stupid question but I'm getting those weird readings in PC Probe

[ SMBIOS: Type4-1 ]
Socket = SOCKET 939
Type = Central Processor
Family = AMD Athlon 64 Processor Family
Manufacturer = AMD
Processor ID = 178bfbff00020fb1
Version = AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
Voltage = 1.4 v
External Clock = 200 MHz
Max Speed = 2200 MHz
Current Speed = 2200 MHz
Status = CPU Enable

[ SMBIOS: Type4-2 ]
Socket = SOCKET 939
Type = Central Processor
Family = Unknown
Manufacturer =
Processor ID = 0000000000000000
Version =
Voltage = 3.3 V ,2.9 V
External Clock = 0 MHz
Max Speed = 2000 MHz
Current Speed = 0 MHz
Status = Unknown

,Astra 32

Processor 1 Info
Processor Vendor: AMD
Processor Version: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
Current Speed: 2200 MHz
External Clock: 200 MHz
Voltage: 1.4 V
Processor Upgrade: Socket 939
Processor Status: CPU Enabled
Socket Designation: SOCKET 939
Processor Type: Central Processor
Processor Family: AMD Athlon 64 Family
Processor ID1: 00020FB1h
Processor ID2: 178BFBFFh
Max Speed: 2200 MHz
Socket Status: CPU Socket Populated
Serial Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Asset Tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Part Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Structure Length: 23h

Processor 2 Info
Processor Vendor:
Processor Version:
Current Speed: Unknown
External Clock: Unknown
Voltage: 3.3/2.9 V
Processor Upgrade: Socket 939
Processor Status: Unknown (0)
Socket Designation: SOCKET 939
Processor Type: Central Processor
Processor Family: Other
Processor ID1: 00000000h
Processor ID2: 00000000h
Max Speed: 2000 MHz
Socket Status: CPU Socket Unpopulated
Serial Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Asset Tag: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Part Number: To Be Filled By O.E.M.
Structure Length: 23h

and Everest

Version EVEREST v2.20.405
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Report Wizard
Computer ****
Generator ****
Operating System Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.1.2600 (WinXP Retail)
Date 2007-11-09
Time 22:05


--------[ CPU ]---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CPU Properties:
CPU Type DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2200 MHz (11 x 200) 4200+
CPU Alias Manchester S939
CPU Stepping BH-E4
Instruction Set x86, x86-64, MMX, 3DNow!, SSE, SSE2, SSE3
Min / Max CPU Multiplier 4x / 11x
L1 Code Cache 64 KB (Parity)
L1 Data Cache 64 KB (ECC)
L2 Cache 512 KB (On-Die, ECC, Full-Speed)

Multi CPU:
Motherboard ID TEMPLATE Deluxe
CPU #0 AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, 2210 MHz
CPU #1 AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+, 2210 MHz

CPU Physical Info:
Package Type 939 Pin uOPGA
Package Size 4.00 cm x 4.00 cm
Transistors 233.2 million
Process Technology 11Mi, 90 nm, CMOS, Cu, SOI
Die Size 199 mm2
Core Voltage 1.100 - 1.400 V
I/O Voltage 1.2 V + 2.5 V
Maximum Power 89 - 110 W (depending on clock speed)

CPU Manufacturer:
Company Name Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
Product Information http://www.amd.com/us-en/Proce...tion/0,,30_118,00.html

CPU Utilization:
CPU #1 / Core #1 0 %
CPU #1 / Core #2 100 %

Now Speedfan, Task Manager and PC Probe usage graphics show both my cores used at 100% (doing SETI), so I assume the 'missing core' is just a bug but how can I be sure? Sandra Lite does see both my cores at nominal speed so I presume that's the best indication.

 

[DrMrLordX]

That is damn peculiar. Your best bet would be to try and load both cores and see how performance fares on your system. Something as simple as dual instances of SuperPi could show whether or not both cores are active.

 

[dennilfloss]

SETI Boinc already does show two processes in Task Manager but I tried with two instances of Prime 95, each with a different core affinity, and both cores are used indeed.

Thanks for the idea.:thumbsup:

 

[myocardia]

My guess would be that you haven't updated your BIOS, or haven't deleted the single processor ACPI, since installing the dual-core

 

[dennilfloss]

The dual-core was installed on a new mobo. My guess is Everest is too old but Astra32 is from this summer so it should have no problemwith dual cores.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Well, glad you sorted out that both cores are working despite various software glitches that falsely indicate otherwise. Is this a documented flaw with your motherboard?

 

[dennilfloss]

Don't think so.

 

[DrMrLordX]

Well then you've got me. At least it works.