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Is Excel Multiple Processor Aware

Anonymous
2014-10-23T09:39:43+00:00

Are Microsoft excel 2010 or 2013 multiprocessor aware? So, if I have dual xeon chips, can excel use both of them to run calculations?

According to the following article: 

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/265361#appliesto

excel 2003 was not. However, this article was never updated. Any answer much appreciated.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2014-10-23T15:54:02+00:00

The answer appears to be "yes" - all can be used.

Basic System:

Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard (64-bit) w/SP1

Installed memory (RAM) 12.0GB

Intel Xeon CPU E5220 @ 2.27GHz (2 processors)

I installed the 32-bit version of Office 2010 Professional Plus and after completion checked the setting in Excel, and it had automatically chosen "Use all..." and showed that 16 processors would be used.  8 processors per CPU x 2 CPUs = 16 processors!

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Anonymous
2014-10-23T10:42:32+00:00

Both Excel 2010 and 2013 can use multiple cores during calculation. This multi-threaded calculation can produce significant speed increases, but its efficiency depends on the extent to which the calculation chain can be processed in parallel. Also note that VBA is single-threaded so will not gain from multiple processors.

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Anonymous
2014-10-23T11:51:38+00:00

One setting in Excel 2010/2013 is labeled as "Use all processors on this computer".  I think that the definition of "processor" could play into it.  I would personally take that to mean all physical processors and their cores.  For example, with my system, with a single i7 physical CPU, it shows 8 for a count of total processors.

I don't have a multi-CPU system readily available to test with, but just might try to get to one to try to get a firmer answer.  However, the system I have in mind, an HP dual-Xeon server, does split the 12 GB installed RAM between the two physical CPUs, so I'm not sure how that fits into the equation; especially when it gets into the single-threaded world of VBA.

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-10-23T13:34:29+00:00

    Thanks so much. I'm debating whether or not to buy a dual processor machine but would like to know before and I don't have access to one which is why i'm asking. Thanks also Charles. If anyone has a dual machine and knows the answer, would be great to know for certain as it's a rather expensive mistake to make.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-23T11:30:45+00:00

    As far as I know yes the Excel calculation engine can use multiple processors, but I have not personally tested it.

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