Mac Pro March 2009 dual quad core only recognizes two processors

Question

Level 1

74 points

Mac Pro March 2009 dual quad core only recognizes two processors

I installed Win7 Professional 32 bit. I realize now that I should have bought the 64 bit version. The problem with the 32 bit is that it only recognizes two of eight processors and two of eight gigs of Ram.
My questions are:
1. Which 64 bit version should I buy?
2. Will it recognize all eight processors?
3. Will it recognize all eight gigs of RAM, two on each processor?
4. How should I go about uninstalling Win7 32 bit and installing Win7 64 bit?

Mac Pro '09, Mac OS X (10.5.6), 17" MBP, 24' IMac

Posted on Jan 28, 2011 5:54 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Jaygyver

Level 3

739 points

Jan 28, 2011 8:11 PM in response to ProImagesPa

If you have "DUAL" quad Proc's then why would you see more then TWO.:)

It just means you have 4 "CORES" -PER- processor. Think of the "Cores" as 4 "mini" processors in each individual processor. Does your Mac OS show more then 2 processors when you go to "About This Mac"/"More Info"?

The ram is not "assigned" a processor, it's used by ALL the programs in a "as needed" basis. If your still only seeing 2 gigs+- of ram then it looks like you'll need 64_bit. I only have XP, but I know Windows 7 64_bit shows all your Ram.

You might ask Microsoft if they have an Upgrade system from 32 to 64_bit.
Or, use another HD with 2 partitions and use both for compatibility issues.

64_bit (or 32_bit) only refers to the "basic" Operating System. Windows 7 Home, Pro, etc, just adds more "features" as you go up.
Be aware though, you will need to find out what devices/applications need to have 64_bit drivers.
(For anyone looking at Home, you will have to pay another $100 above the Home version to get Pro for the "XP Compatibility Mode".)

Hope this helps....

Reply

Answer 2

ProImagesPa Author

Level 1

74 points

Jan 28, 2011 8:26 PM in response to Jaygyver

Thanks for your help. From a little research it looks like I do everything from the Boot Camp Utility. Remove the Win partition and start over with Boot Camp, then install the 64 bit version. The only programs I want to run in Windows is Sony Vegas and Lumapix FotoFusion, both are 64 bit so it looks like Home will work.

Reply

Answer 3

ProImagesPa Author

Level 1

74 points

Jan 28, 2011 8:28 PM in response to ProImagesPa

For what it's worth, there is no upgrade from Win7 32 bit to 64 bit.

Reply

Answer 4

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Jan 28, 2011 8:34 PM in response to ProImagesPa

Hi,

DON'T get the Home version !!

Home versions of WIndows (XP, Vista, WIndows 7) only support ONE physical processor with multiple cores.

Only the PRO versions and above support TWO physical processors with multiple cores each.

With your now installed 32-bit Windows 7 Pro you should see eight bars (= eight cores) when using the Activity Monitor from within the Task-Manager.

Regards

Stefan

Reply

Answer 5

ProImagesPa Author

Level 1

74 points

Jan 28, 2011 8:43 PM in response to Fortuny

Thanks Stefan, you just saved me. The Win7 Pro 32 bit does see eight bars. Ram shows 8GB but only 2GB available. Sony Vegas 10.0 will not render video and shows a low memory error.

Reply

Answer 6

Fortuny

Level 7

21,455 points

Feb 1, 2011 4:38 AM in response to ProImagesPa

Hi,

the 2GB RAM limit is "normal" on a MacPro with 32-bit Windows.

I have it on my 2006 MP with XP 32-bit as well.

Using a 64-bit WIndows 7 Professional/Business/Ultimate is the solution to get the full RAM amount and the full processor/cores to work.

Regards

Stefan

Reply

Answer 7

posimosh

Level 1

15 points

Sep 14, 2013 1:16 AM in response to Fortuny

^^^ 32-bit means 2 gb of ram is all windows can utilize

Reply

Answer 8

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Sep 14, 2013 5:04 AM in response to Fortuny

1.9GB is a 'feature' of EFI-32

With later models like 2009 (dual 4-core) that have EFI-64 that surprise to me

NEVER ever want 32-bit OS today. Ever.

Home Premium for single socket, Pro for dual, and Pro for more than 16GB RAM. 8GB is actually pretty light for a workstation today for most any type of use.

Reply

Answer 9

Csound1

Level 9

59,973 points

Sep 14, 2013 5:54 AM in response to Jaygyver

Jaygyver wrote:

If you have "DUAL" quad Proc's then why would you see more then TWO.:)

Two 4 core processors = 8 cores, and that is what the 64 bit version will see, 32 bit versions can only use 2 of the 8 cores.

PCs with multi-core processors:
Windows 7 was designed to work with today's multi-core processors. All 32-bit versions of Windows 7 can support up to 32 processor cores, while 64‑bit versions can support up to 256 processor cores.

PCs with multiple processors (CPUs):
Commercial servers, workstations, and other high-end PCs may have more than one physical processor. Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate allow for two physical processors, providing the best performance on these computers. Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium will recognize only one physical processor.

Reply