HOTFIX - KB896256 - DUALCORE Should I install this?

[Xarick]

I have an 6400 core2duo and am running xp. Should I install this or is it unecessary.

 

[John]

Without these updates, computers that are equipped with these power management-capable, mobile, dual-core processors may experience decreased performance or unexpected behavior.

 

[Xarick]

mobile? Where do you get mobile. MS site says this:
"Install this update to fix a situation where your Windows-based system that supports processor power management features, and is equipped with multiple processors, may experience decreased performance. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer."

 

[John]

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896256

SYMPTOMS

Computers that are equipped with multiple processors that support processor power management features, such as Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) processor performance states, require Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2). Additional updates are available to optimize performance and behavior on computers that are running Windows XP SP2. Without these updates, computers that are equipped with these power management-capable, mobile, dual-core processors may experience decreased performance or unexpected behavior.

 

[Xarick]

so.. I dont need it because it is only for mobile proces?

 

[ribbon13]

yeah, it has to do with a fix to a bug in power management with dual-core processors in a mobile enviroment where they clock down to save energy

 

[Markbnj]

However, you should install the AMD Dual Core optimizer. It can be downloaded here.

This little utility runs on startup and manages the synchronization of the realtime counters associated with each processor core. Without it, a thread may read the timer on one core, store the value, sleep, wake up on another core, read the counter there, and get an unexpected value. There are at least three categories of problems that I have seen fixed by installing this: a) hitching and stuttering in games; b) wierd results from ping times, hinting at lower level timing issues in the network stack; c) unreliable control of streaming video when fast forwarding or rewinding.

 

[Xarick]

but I am running an intel proc not an amd proc.

 

[Markbnj]

Oops, my bad. Yeah, don't install that then .

 

[Operandi]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
yeah, it has to do with a fix to a bug in power management with dual-core processors in a mobile enviroment where they clock down to save energy

Don't the desktop variants do the same thing (perhaps to a lesser extent)?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: ribbon13
yeah, it has to do with a fix to a bug in power management with dual-core processors in a mobile enviroment where they clock down to save energy

Except that chips that do that aren't limited to mobile chips. Desktop C2Ds have EIST too.

The bug(s) are real, and they exist in both Intel and AMD dual-core procs. I've seen them. I had a friend recently attempt to install the MS dual-core patch, and he got blue-screens on bootup, so he had to uninstall.

Most of the "hitching" issues can be solved by setting the processor affinity for the game to a single CPU.

You might also be able to get by by disabling all power-management features on the CPU, so both cores run full-speed all the time. (And don't thermal-throttle either.)

 

[ribbon13]

Yeah, no matter what GTA:SA for pc needs to be 'affinity'ed'

http://www.prnwatch.com/prio.html

 

[43st]

Notebookreview Forum forum link with install details.

Has anyone heard anything else on this for desktop use?