AMD quad core A8-6600k APU only showing 2 CPUs

[Kyle7885]

I recently upgraded my AMD dual core CPU to a quad core but my operating system only recognizes 2 CPUs. I have tried updating the BIOS and then I tried to access the BIOS to see if there was a restriction that has been preventing the other two from being utilized. However, when I accessed the BIOS I was unable to find any option to enable the other 2 CPUs. How do I solve this problem.

I am a gamer and I upgraded the CPU to play te newly released game Dragon Age Inquisition. While trying to play the game I get a black screen and my CPU utilization surges to 99%.

Other specs:

HP Pavillion p6-2330
BIOS version 8.19
AMD Drives are up to date

 

[jpiniero]

It wouldn't surprise me if they had put in some restriction. What CPU does it think you have?

Also note that the 6600K is a 100W TDP CPU.

 

[Kyle7885]

When I check the dxdiag it's how's the correct cpu AMD Quad - Core A8 - Series APU A8 - 6600 with Radeon HD 8570D Part # AD660KWOHLBOX. When I check the Performance tab on the Task Manager it shows Cores: 1 Logal processors: 2. AMD says that it has two cores and two logic processors which is what makes me wonder why there is this issue. When I check the Respurce Monitor it shows CPU0 and CPU1.

Let me know if you need any other info.

Thank you

Also, I'm a computer novice so I don't know what 100W TDP CPU means.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

When I check the dxdiag it's how's the correct cpu AMD Quad - Core A8 - Series APU A8 - 6600 with Radeon HD 8570D Part # AD660KWOHLBOX. When I check the Performance tab on the Task Manager it shows Cores: 1 Logal processors: 2. AMD says that it has two cores and two logic processors which is what makes me wonder why there is this issue. When I check the Respurce Monitor it shows CPU0 and CPU1.

Let me know if you need any other info.

Thank you

Also, I'm a computer novice so I don't know what 100W TDP CPU means.

Because it's not a true "quad-core" CPU owing to the fact it has four integer cores and two floating point cores. Windows 8 reads that as it having four hardware threads and two cores, whereas previously Windows 7 would report it as having "4" cores.

It's just how Microsoft programmed it and you won't lose any performance because of it. Don't worry about it.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Well, the problem is, Dragon Age Inquisition is another of those sloppy console ports that wont start on a 2 thread cpu, no matter whether or not the cpu can run it. Hopefully this will be patched out.

Unfortunately for the OP, if he wants to game on the igpu, even if there is a hack to make it launch, I doubt the game will run well at all, since it struggles badly on my HD7770.

 

[Kyle7885]

Thanks for the response.

That's what I assumed. I am going to get an AMD 8 core, so I need to get a compatible motherboard with an AM3+ Socket. What is a good MB for this purpose? I have looked at a few including MSI ATX DDR3 2133 Motherboard 970 GAMING. I would like to preserve as many of my current component such as hardrive, graphics card, etc. and insert them into my new motherboard. Is this possible or am I going to need to build a computer from scratch?

 

[AtenRa]

According to the official HP page, A8-6600K is not supported. The Motherboard only supports Trinity not Richland APUs.

I have no idea if HP page is out of date but i would speak with HP first and see if that motherboard supports the 6600K.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?cc=us&lc=en&docname=c03499435#N174

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

Thanks for the response.

That's what I assumed. I am going to get an AMD 8 core, so I need to get a compatible motherboard with an AM3+ Socket. What is a good MB for this purpose? I have looked at a few including MSI ATX DDR3 2133 Motherboard 970 GAMING. I would like to preserve as many of my current component such as hardrive, graphics card, etc. and insert them into my new motherboard. Is this possible or am I going to need to build a computer from scratch?

If I were you I'd forgo getting an AMD processor for gaming altogether. At every price bracket Intel has something that is both faster and more power efficient.

 

[AtenRa]

Thanks for the response.

That's what I assumed. I am going to get an AMD 8 core, so I need to get a compatible motherboard with an AM3+ Socket. What is a good MB for this purpose? I have looked at a few including MSI ATX DDR3 2133 Motherboard 970 GAMING. I would like to preserve as many of my current component such as hardrive, graphics card, etc. and insert them into my new motherboard. Is this possible or am I going to need to build a computer from scratch?

What Graphics Card are you using now ?? and what is your monitor resolution ??

 

[TheELF]

When I check the dxdiag it's how's the correct cpu AMD Quad - Core A8 - Series APU A8 - 6600 with Radeon HD 8570D Part # AD660KWOHLBOX. When I check the Performance tab on the Task Manager it shows Cores: 1 Logal processors: 2. AMD says that it has two cores and two logic processors which is what makes me wonder why there is this issue. When I check the Respurce Monitor it shows CPU0 and CPU1.

Let me know if you need any other info.

Thank you

Also, I'm a computer novice so I don't know what 100W TDP CPU means.

You upgraded without doing a clean re installation of windows did you?
Press start+r and run msconfig on the boot tab click on advanced options
http://cloud.addictivetips.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/msconfig.jpg
on the window that pops up check the processor count and put it on 4 ,if that shows up,reboot and all 4 cores should now be available.

 

[Kyle7885]

I think the graphics card is AMD Radeon HD 8570D and monitor resolution is 1600 x 1200. I did not do a clean installation of windows when I replaced the cpu. However, I have gone to msconfig I only have the option of selecting 1 or 2 processors.

 

[PG]

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...lti-core/71519d51-f6cb-47df-b3ff-66c2928d6de4

Some recommendations (make sure you are running as Administrator):
- Run MSConfig -> Change to Boot tab -> Advanced Options -> "Number of Processors", make sure there is no check mark.
- Delete processor entries listed in Device Manager, then reboot and allow Windows to redetect/reinstall them.

 

[Kyle7885]

So I just delete the processor in device Manager and restart. I have windows 8 and I do not have an installation disk. Will this be a problem?

 

[PG]

It should not cause a problem, it just makes Windows redetect the cpu cores. But this should be done after going to msconfig and unchecking the number of processors box. Unchecking the box makes windows use all available cores.

 

[Kyle7885]

That worked, I was able to select 4 cores this time. Thank you so much for the help!!!

 

[PG]

You're welcome, I'm glad that worked out.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

It should not cause a problem, it just makes Windows redetect the cpu cores. But this should be done after going to msconfig and unchecking the number of processors box. Unchecking the box makes windows use all available cores.

Uh... it was already detecting them... that's why it said 4 logical processors. To an OS when using resources it's indifferent whether it sees them as hardware threads/cores. Doing this changes nothing regarding performance, it only changes that Windows now thinks it's a "quad-core".

 

[Abwx]

Because it's not a true "quad-core" CPU owing to the fact it has four integer cores and two floating point cores.

There s nothing as a floating point core in thoses CPUs, the FP threads are managed by what you call the integer cores, and wich are actual cores, just look at the CPU diagram.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

There s nothing as a floating point core in thoses CPUs, the FP threads are managed by what you call the integer cores, and wich are actual cores, just look at the CPU diagram.

Just... what? Do you know how CPU architecture works?

I don't even...

 

[Abwx]

Just... what? Do you know how CPU architecture works?

I don't even...

What is not written, but is clearly visible in this slide, is that not only the front end but also the back end is shared, the load/store unit, instruction retire and L1 caches are managed by the integer cores for both integer and FP threads.

 

[frozentundra123456]

Was the game not loading before? Does it load now?

Even with an i5, I get some pretty long black screens when loading or transitioning areas, with 100 % cpu usage.

 

[LOL_Wut_Axel]

What is not written, but is clearly visible in this slide, is that not only the front end but also the back end is shared, the load/store unit, instruction retire and L1 caches are managed by the integer cores for both integer and FP threads.

Even if true, it's irrelevant. It's still neither a dual or quad-core depending on how you look at it. It has four integer cores and two floating point.

However you slice it, AMD is using the term "quad-core" very loosely.

 

[Abwx]

Even if true, it's irrelevant. It's still neither a dual or quad-core depending on how you look at it. It has four integer cores and two floating point.

However you slice it, AMD is using the term "quad-core" very loosely.

A module is two cores that use a single FPU, the FPU is 4 x 64 bit, they could have used 2 x 64 bit in each core but this would had reduced the single thread IPC.

There s nothing as floating point cores, the FPU, as its name suggest, is just an execution unit that has no management ressources, theses are provided by the cores.

 

[soccerballtux]

for whatever reason my 8310 didn't show up as octo-core for at least a while. then one time i rebooted and there they were.

I wonder what the other 4 cores were doing during that time?

 

[hanley]

First-time poster here. I felt compelled to respond to the OP as i have an a8-5600k and i run Dragon Age Inquisition. 8 gb ram, windows 8.1. One tip i got from the bioware and ea forums is to set your graphics settings to "automatic", and if you're not encountering problems with the game, you can adjust the settings later.

Hope that helps and here's hoping you can game on your a8-6600k. Dragon Age Inquisition is an amazing game and deserving of the game of the year award. I'm playing with an xbox 360 controller and i love using the tactical cam.