Multiprocessor Systems and Processor Steppings Support
Update: Microsoft Policy for Mixed Steppings
Microsoft, working with the Intel Corporation, believes that OEM systems with mixed Intel Itanium 2 processor steppings of an N and N-1 variant should work in computer systems running the Microsoft Windows Server 2003 operating system. Intel supports these mixed steppings of N and N-1 revisions of production processors that have the same product line (core frequency, FSB frequency, and cache size). For information about Intel support, see http://developer.intel.com/design/itanium2/specupdt/251141.htm. 
If you discover a problem with a mixed-steppings configuration, Microsoft encourages you to report it to your system vendor or OEM, who will work with Microsoft to analyze the problem. In the event that the cause of the problem is the result of the mixed Itanium 2 processor steppings, the customer is required to upgrade the problem system to use processors that all have the same steppings.
This policy covers all Windows Server 2003 products for Intel Itanium 2. This policy has no effect on the "Designed for Windows" logo for systems running Microsoft Windows Server 2003. Testing for the "Designed for Windows" logo program does not check for processor steppings.
