Limiting Dual or Quad core processors
This information is from the site peterprovost.org. Sites have a tendency to change the location of their pages or the site expires. This can cause broken links and because of that I have included the information on my website to guarantee you will have access to the information. The site I received this from has pictures of the pages in which I do not have the space for. Thanks goes to peterprovost for the information.
This information has been updated to correct information. Peterprovost posted the update and MichaelH informed me of the update. Thanks MicahaelH for the information.
When you have a computer with a recent model CPU, chances are it's either a dual-core or quad-core CPU. Both Intel & AMD have been producing dual core CPU's for a few years now. You can limit the number of processors windows can access. You can easily change this from the System Configuration utility:
To use all processors, do the following
- In Vista's Start Search type MSCONFIG
- Press Enter
- Select the Boot tab
- Click the Advanced Options button
- Make sure the Number of processors check box is unchecked.
- Click OK
- Click OK again
To limit the number of processors
- In Vista's Start Search type MSCONFIG
- Press Enter
- Select the Boot tab
- Click the Advanced Options button
- Put a check in the Number of processors check box
- Indicate the number of processors you want to use
- Click OK
- Click OK again
If a program is running slow, it may not be able to handle the dual or quad cores. Fortunately, you can limit the number of cores used by the program and allow all the cores used on other software. To adjust the number of cores to use for a program click here.
For a picture of what the screen looks like, click here (this is a link to an external page and therefore may become broken and I would appreciate it if you would email me and let me know. Thanks!)