INTEL users may need to beg Microsoft for multi-core qualification

According to Microsoft, INTEL's multi-chip CPUs won't be considered multi-core and won't enjoy the benefit of counting as one CPU. This means buyers of INTEL multi-die techniology not only get slower chip with a FSB but also need to pay dual or quad license fees.


From: Sales <sales@microsoft.com>
To: vince
Subject: RE:'RTCProd=010-132-843' RE: License still ambiguous
Date: Fri, 16 Dec 2005 10:45:08 -0800 (14:45 AST)


Hello Vince,


I was able to find out information about licensing regarding your question about multi-core processors. To answer your question, yes each die that resides on a multi-chip processor (or module) is considered an individual processor. Although the processor as a whole plugs into a single socket, it will not reduce the number of licenses required for our software.

As far as updating our online documentation, I am unsure as to when any changes would be made in consideration to these newer generation of multi-core/die processors.

Thank you,


Zahn
Microsoft Sales Information