Dual Xeon Setup - Not sure if BOTH CPU's are working!

luci5r

Junior Member
Sep 4, 2013
24
0
16
Guys,

I'm specifically looking for help from people who actually work on a system with Dual Xeon's, or have a good knowledge on the matter.

I just finished building a Dual Ivy Bridge-EP Xeon E5-2650 V2 based Workstation. Each CPU supports 8 Cores / 16 Threads, giving a total of 16 Cores / 32 Threads. At this point I'm not clear if both CPU's are working and being utilized. My main concern arose when I ran Maxwell Render, which can utilize 2 CPU's with unlimited # of cores & threads, reportedly using only 16 Threads instead of 32.

I installed CPU-Z and this is what it shows me:

CPU1.png


The "Selection" box shows "Processor #1" but is greyed; you cannot select another processor. I believe I should be able to select Processor #2 in there.

This is the case with all Usage & Temperature monitors I have tried as well, including Windows' own Task Manager's "Performance" tab. They all show information of 1 processor only - 8 Cores & 16 Threads. I've tried CoreTemp, RealTemp, SpeedFan & HWMonitor. None of them was able to show me temperatures or load of more then 8 Cores / 16 Threads.

The only 2 places where I see signs of a 2nd working processors is,
a) In the BIOS. If I go into BIOS, it shows me both CPU's, also shows me temperature of both CPU's. And
b) in the Device Manager in Windows, it actually shows me 32 Processors ....

CPU2.png


However, both BIOS & Device Manager could simply mean there is a 2nd processor that is installed & "electrically" On. I don't know if it necessarily means both are being used & working.

This is my first Dual Xeon build and I want to make sure I'm not missing something. I guess I'd like to run some kind of an application that will show me all 16 cores & 32 threads being used so I'm re-assured there's nothing wrong. I was hoping Maxwell render would do that but I have to take that up in Maxwell forums why it's only showing me 16 threads.

Any advice?

Thanks.
 

Burpo

Diamond Member
Sep 10, 2013
4,223
473
126
Your problem is probably in Windows. Type msconfig in the search bar above the start button, hit enter, click Boot, advanced options, Uncheck number of processors, reboot, repeat & select 32 if it's there. Reboot, reinstall CPU-Z

Edit: OOps.. never mind
 
Last edited:

luci5r

Junior Member
Sep 4, 2013
24
0
16

Your problem is probably in Windows. Type msconfig in the search bar above the start button, hit enter, click Boot, advanced options, Uncheck number of processors, reboot, repeat & select 32 if it's there. Reboot, reinstall CPU-Z

Actually VirtualLarry was on the right track.

For anyone else in my situation: I found out the problem elsewhere. Windows 8 (standard edition) only supports up to 1 physical CPU. I need Windows 8 Pro or Enterprise, which have support for more then 1 physical CPU.

I didn't realize this at the time. I'm doing a RMA Refund with Microsoft (which is surprisingly quite easy & fast) and will have to purchase the Windows 8 Pro to have both CPU's supported.

This issue can be considered resolved.

Thanks.