Improved performance Vista x64 & Intel processors

[richardpea]

If you have an Intel CPU and running Vista (or any of the OS below) this hotfix may be of interest to you.

KB936357

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...DisplayLang=en

Microsoft don't say much about what this fixes but I'm told (thanks Nix!) that this improves performance on some systems!

This applies to

• Windows Vista Home Basic
• Windows Vista Home Premium
• Windows Vista Ultimate
• Windows Vista Business
• Windows Vista Enterprise
• Windows Vista Starter
• Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
• Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32-bit x86)
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter x64 Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
• Microsoft Windows XP Professional

Here are some of the frequently asked questions (taken from the knowledge base article)
Q: What issues are fixed by the microcode reliability update?
A: The microcode reliability update fixes the following issues:
• A possible Intel processor marginality.
• A potential source of unpredictable system behavior.

Q: How do you know if the system needs the microcode reliability update?
A: Although these issues are uncommon, you may receive a Stop error, or you may experience unpredictable system behavior.

Q: What errors occur?
A: You may receive a Stop error, or you may experience unpredictable system behavior.

Q: Which Intel processors are affected?
A: Although these issues are uncommon, the following Intel processors may be affected:
• Mobile: Intel Core 2 Duo mobile processor.
• Desktop: Intel Core 2 Duo desktop processor, Intel Core 2 Quad desktop processor, and Intel Core 2 Extreme processor.
• Server: Intel Xeon processors 3000, 3200, 5100, and 5300 series.

Q: If you install the microcode reliability update, do you still require the latest BIOS update?
A: If you install the microcode reliability update, you do not require the latest BIOS update.

Q: Does the microcode reliability update have to be proactively installed?
A: Affected Intel processor users must use the microcode reliability update.

I hope this is of interest

[windeath]

How unfortunate...I only ever buy AMD CPU's.

[TiggerK]

Ah yes, we all know the AMD vs Intel debate, but really, you think AMD have no microcode issues?? Think again..... All CPU's have their little niggles, nothing special there.. other than an excuse for the AMD fanboys to feel better after losing the CPU war.

Ok, I'm stirring.... Exterminate!!

Cheers
TiggerK

[windeath]

Ummmm all I meant was I have AMD CPU's not Intel. If that makes me a fanboy then ok.

[TiggerK]

Yo windeath, no potential drama intended, all respect to you. Just jumping in defense of poor little Intel..

In fact, I have the utmost respect for any company that can make a few hundred million components fit inside a square centimetre or so...

Cheers
TiggerK

[vlad]

AMD sucks!!! Always catching up.
(make a mental note, people will call you names)

[Astrotoy7]

Originally Posted by vlad

AMD sucks!!! Always catching up.
(make a mental note, people will call you names)

lolz... catching up or designing things from ground up to make it right

Really looking forward to the phenom quads... I think AMD have a bit riding on them being great performers. Hopefully they will be worth the wait

still, I hope AMD stick around, because competition is good. Hopefully sony will hurry up with their CPUs too...another player on the market can only be good for consumers.....you'd hope

astro

[vlad]

I actually hope that AMD will kick Intel confident butt. Industry need it, they have go to drawing board and do better than P4. The real progress have stopped there. More cores, less brain.

[windeath]

Originally Posted by TiggerK

Yo windeath, no potential drama intended, all respect to you. Just jumping in defense of poor little Intel..

In fact, I have the utmost respect for any company that can make a few hundred million components fit inside a square centimetre or so...

Cheers
TiggerK

Interesting times ahead I think. We have the battle of CPU's we have the Hi Def DVD battle going in the background....and the who is better Batman or Superman battle. When will it end

[Texx]

Has anyone installed this hotfix? Any repercussions or is everything still working ok after the instal?
Thanks