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 64bit 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." http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/system-requirements.aspx I culled this yesterday off the MSFT page linked to and I am having a hard time digesting it. Is it dated and inaccurate? Are millions of consumers wasting their money by purchasing dual core computers running Windows 7 Home Premium? Is this a matter of one processor chip with muliple-cores on it versus the older architecture of two processors on one chip? At the very least, it would seem to put a fair number of both AMD's and Intel's older dual processors out of the upgrade path for the editions most private users purchase.

1 socket does not always equal 1 core. This should clear it up. http://download.microsoft.com/download/f/1/e/f1ecd771-cf97-4d98-9a1b-b86e3f24e08f/multicore_hyperthread_brief.doc Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional -Microsoft MVP [Windows]

I'm still a little fuzzy on this. The use of multiple processors is far greater than boards with multiple sockets. And there is still some room for misunderstanding from this bit gathered from your link: "Note that while this brief identifies certain software products and versions that run on multicore and hyperthreaded processors, it does not address their ability to fully use those technologies". Thanks

Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium support one socket. Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise, and Ultimate support two sockets. Regards, Dave Patrick .... Microsoft Certified Professional -Microsoft MVP [Windows]

We'll mark this up to somewhat confusing copy from marketing.