How many cores does windows 7 and 8 make use of?

[vatiguti]

This is a question just about windows... How many cores does windows 7 and 8 make use of? How many cores is enough for just running basic applications like microsoft word and stuff?

 

[ksham]

Applications make use of it. The OS itself doesn't care. For basic MS Word, a single core will be fine or dual core.

 

[ihog]

Windows doesn't inherently determine the max amount of cores an application can use. For example, if an application can only take advantage of 2 cores, Windows can't make it use 3.

 

[jaguarskx]

Generally speaking, to run basic applications all you need is a dual core CPU. Programs must be designed to use multiple cores otherwise it will just default to using a single core.

For example, I read somewhere that the Sims 3 only uses a single core. Is that true? I dunno, someone would need to buy me a copy so that I can see for myself. If you are using an 8 core FX-8350, then it will only use 1 core.

 

[vatiguti]

Generally speaking, to run basic applications all you need is a dual core CPU. Programs must be designed to use multiple cores otherwise it will just default to using a single core.

For example, I read somewhere that the Sims 3 only uses a single core. Is that true? I dunno, someone would need to buy me a copy so that I can see for myself. If you are using an 8 core FX-8350, then it will only use 1 core.

Do you think that games in the near future(ps4 and xbox one generation) will be making use of more cores to the point where the fx 8350 would be a better choice to go with instead of an i5 3570k?

 

[ihog]

It's going to happen, but I think it will take a couple years at the least.

 

[vmem]

Do you think that games in the near future(ps4 and xbox one generation) will be making use of more cores to the point where the fx 8350 would be a better choice to go with instead of an i5 3570k?

in 3-4 four years, this will happen. keep in mind that most AAA titles are on a 2-3 year development schedule. now both PS4 and XboxOne use octacore x86 APUs from AMD, developers will realize this, and start planning new titles to fully take advantage of the 8 cores, these games will be released in maybe 3 years, at which point something like fx8350 will have similar performance to an i5 4670K for gaming.

However, as much as I love AMD, keep in mind that intel has a definitive IPC advantage, and they can easily release a series of Octa-core CPUs 2-3 years down the road once software start taking advantage of more cores. right now they just haven't had a reason to do so yet.