Hi,
I use two dualbord SOYO 5TH2 (two sockets) with two pentium 200MHz. Both runs with NT4 Worstation and with NT4-Server without any problems.
As far as I know Microsoft does not count the cores, the cpu's(sockets) are counted. If I have a quad socket mainboard and I use Quadcore cpus, so I can have 4cpus with summary 16core ad this should run on the old NT4 without any problems. I'm building a new Xeon 8core at the moment and I will try out Fedora9 and Server2008 from Microsoft... we will see...

heinz

NT4 and Server 2000 definitely did not count sockets only. NT4 and Server 2000 were both released before multicore processors were released, and their licensing models have not changed retroactively. NT4 and Server 2000 work with total number of CPUs (counting all cores) regardless of the number of sockets.

Can I submit http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/multicore.mspx in evidence, please?

This page is specifically referring to server products: the 'Customer B' example says clearly that:

Customer B has a system with a single processor with two processor cores. As in the example with Customer A, only one server software license is required per processor.

The Q & A is even more explicit:

Q. A customer wants to upgrade their single-core processor system by replacing the single-core processor with a multicore processor. If they do so, will there be an increase in cost for their current software license?

A. No. The customer will incur the cost for one software license per processor, not per core. So if a customer replaces the single-core processor on their system with a multicore processor, they will need to have only one license per processor.

Edit - NB the statement "The licensing policy is current as of October 19, 2004." It does not apply retrospectively to earlier products, so NT4 and Windows 2000 are effectively licenced per core, as OzzFan says.

Can I submit http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/multicore.mspx in evidence, please?

This page is specifically referring to server products: the 'Customer B' example says clearly that:

Customer B has a system with a single processor with two processor cores. As in the example with Customer A, only one server software license is required per processor.

The Q & A is even more explicit:

Q. A customer wants to upgrade their single-core processor system by replacing the single-core processor with a multicore processor. If they do so, will there be an increase in cost for their current software license?

A. No. The customer will incur the cost for one software license per processor, not per core. So if a customer replaces the single-core processor on their system with a multicore processor, they will need to have only one license per processor.

[Edit] Hmmm... then maybe they have changed the license model for Server 2003. The last time I talked to an MS rep about this was before 2004, so I suppose the info I had on this is now outdated.

Thanks for letting me know.

Can I submit http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/highlights/multicore.mspx in evidence, please?

This page is specifically referring to server products: the 'Customer B' example says clearly that:

Customer B has a system with a single processor with two processor cores. As in the example with Customer A, only one server software license is required per processor.

The Q & A is even more explicit:

Q. A customer wants to upgrade their single-core processor system by replacing the single-core processor with a multicore processor. If they do so, will there be an increase in cost for their current software license?

A. No. The customer will incur the cost for one software license per processor, not per core. So if a customer replaces the single-core processor on their system with a multicore processor, they will need to have only one license per processor.

[Edit] Hmmm... then maybe they have changed the license model for Server 2003. The last time I talked to an MS rep about this was before 2004, so I suppose the info I had on this is now outdated.

Thanks for letting me know.

And why not take some off the C2E's like QX9450; 9550;9650; 9750; 9770; etc., if money isn't an (big) issue?
Are expensive, but deliver much G FLOPS (9650=4380MFLOPS;per core)(OC'ed 200MHz.!=3200MHz). The're also easy to cool, compaired to Q6600.Q6700 is better at that point, accepts higher temp., uses less core power.

True, maybe ONE off the best/easy OC'able quad's , around now..And certainly best CPU Power, LOW cost.

But OC'ed to 3200 or morethey produce 120-140 Watt's (4 cores)!
An QX9650 @ 3200MHz. procuses less heat* and is also lower in used Watt's, ofcoase(Law off Ohm)*Use a GOOD KNOWN COOLER or go water, cooled liquid, etc.
But Xeon's, specially 3GHz. or higher, will do nicely too .

*** Crunch Power Inside ***

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