If a server already licensed with 2 CPUs (8 cores each) is expanded with a 3rd CPU that has only 4 cores, should I license just the 4 new cores, or do I still need to license 8 cores due to the 'minimum 8 cores per processor' rule?

Question

If a server already licensed with 2 CPUs (8 cores each) is expanded with a 3rd CPU that has only 4 cores, should I license just the 4 new cores, or do I still need to license 8 cores due to the 'minimum 8 cores per processor' rule?

Salman Ansari 20

Accepted answer

0 additional answers

Your answer

Answer 1

JimmySalian-2011 43,271

Hi Salman,

Yes I believe you will need to licence the extra 8 cores, and also I will suggest you review the FAQ section this site and https://wintelguy.com/2022/ms-windows-server-licensing-faq.html

And also the calculator https://wintelguy.com/windows-per-vm-licensing-calc.pl

Please check your CSP or licence provider as they might be able to help you in providing you some detail information on the licence costs and if you are covered under the licence agreements.

Hope this helps.

JS

==

Please accept as answer and do a Thumbs-up to upvote this response if you are satisfied with the community help. Your upvote will be beneficial for the community users facing similar issues.

Salman Ansari 0 Reputation points

2025-07-13T10:35:43.9933333+00:00

Thanks for answering Jimmy!!!
I wasn't actually working on this; I was just trying to understand the licensing part. That's where the question came up, so I asked here. ChatGPT tends to get confused whenever I ask such questions—it gives different answers each time.

Share via

If a server already licensed with 2 CPUs (8 cores each) is expanded with a 3rd CPU that has only 4 cores, should I license just the 4 new cores, or do I still need to license 8 cores due to the 'minimum 8 cores per processor' rule?

0 additional answers

Your answer