Dual processors preformance gain

[hallam2003]

hi argus,
As i understand it, a dual cpu system splits the work load between the two. So the dual cPU system doesn't actually mean that you have twice the speed/power. EX. if you run a spreadsheet program, and a text editor at the same time, the motherboard *MAY* use one CPU to do the work on the spreadsheet and the other to do the work on the text editor. does that make since. I hate to bust your bubble, but i know of no suck motherboard for the newer AMD models. Trust me, i looked good and hard. AMD had an article on their site a few months ago about how the test a dual t-bird system. They said it did great and that it didn't even break a sweat from anything that they threw at it. Tis is great, but the only thing is that theu most likely made that motherboard theirselves, or had a motherboard manufature give them one that they were testing, or the such. If you've found a dual motherboard that supports all the common wishes by us sysoptians, please say something. HMM, you asking this question makes me wonder if i missed the day that they came out. Hope i didn't write all that for nothing. See ya,

Hallam

[Goldwingnut]

Here is a website that answers the questions both of you have asked. It's at Hardware Central.com
http://64.4.30.250:80/cgi-bin/linkrd?_lang=EN&lah=84c0539e1ca28244038db38cc9601f99&lat=985996464&hm___action=http%3a%2f%2fhardware%2eearthweb%2ecom %2fmoth%2farticle%2f0%2c%2c12102_ 600091%2c00%2ehtml

[Lebo]

To gain an advantage you must use an os that supports multiple processors, like NT4, win2k or linux. Win9.x does not support this feature. On top of this you also need to be running software that is able to use both cpu's at the same time. As halam says if you are multitasking both cpus may be used.

As far as I am aware you are most likely to gain an advantage when running 3d rendering software, or your machine is set up as a server, otherwise you would have to wonder at this stage if there is an advantage to running a dual processor system.

[ArgusII]

Thanks for the info. Goldwingnut please send that link again that one dead. Also to the best of my knowledge there hasn't been a dual proc mobo released as of yet, but I have heard that there should be one in the next few months.

[ArgusII]

How muchh of a prroformance gain should I expect from going from say a single 1Ghz T-bird to motherboard with 2 1Ghz processors. I use my system mostly for games, cd burning, and video editing, etc. I would like to see some bench marks or articles on the subject if anyone knows where I can find the info.

[Goldwingnut]

I think I got it figured now - this board doesn't like the http etc. on the front of the link. And the server at the other end will give you the current motherboard article, not the one you want. So I'll tell you how to get there, rather than give you the URL.

hardware.earthweb.com/moth/article/

Scroll to the link on the bottom, Motherboards Processors and Memory Archives.
Click that.
The article on the bottom is about Dual processor motherboards and dual proc performance.

[doctj]

The only OS that will give you a 100% performance boost in ALL applications with a dual setup is BeOS. This is because it multithreads all applications unlike linux and windows which leave that to the particular application (which are very few). The only problem with BeOS is not much software support and patchy hardware support. I'll only run a dual setup when the above issues with BeOS are resolved I don't see much use running it under windows or linux.Also check this site www.2cpu.com (http://www.2cpu.com) for more info

[This message has been edited by doctj (edited 04-01-2001).]

[Socio]

Hmm? I thought Windows2k also had the ability to multitask most applications as well. I know some high end 3d graphic software that will use multiprocessors for rendering and I know of only one game that can make use of duelproscessors and thats Quake3

[Goldwingnut]

Socio: Yes, indeed.

Win2K annonunces on startup that it is based on NT technology. It says on the CD, "1 or 2 processor version".

WinNT 4.0, Linux, Win2K all support dual procs. WinNT and its successors can support dual procs if installed on a dual proc mobo with both procs in place at install time. It detects the 2 procs and installs as a 2-proc OS. If you start with one proc and add another later, you must reinstall WinNT. I don't know about NT 3.51

NT can be ordered as a 4,8,16 or 32 processor OS. Bring money...

[doctj]

Win 2k recognises 2 cpu's but it doesn't split the task equally between the two for a given application unless that app is written with multithreading. Quake 3 is an example of such but UT for example wouldn't benefit from a dual setup, your frame rates would be the same as a single cpu. I hope it's clear now. You would still benefit from better multitasking but when you're in the 1 gig range, are you going to notice?

[This message has been edited by doctj (edited 04-02-2001).]

[finger51]

HI!

I've had a dually set up for the last couple of years. Its great! My BP6 mobo has 2 celeron 500's. Tis true you must run NT or win2k for the OS to enjoy the SMP benefits. Quake arena allows SMP (Synchronous MultiProcess) as does premier 6 (you mentioned video editing)
the mobo is on pricewatch for $139 right now and celerons are way cheap!

I'm going the next upgrade from ABIT- they have a P3 dually set up with 1mhz stepping for overclocking. I just ordered mine with 2 X P3's @933Mhz

In Premier I noticed about a %40 increase in render times between single and dual mode. Same in 3DSMAX.

links? you got it--->
www.bp6.com (http://www.bp6.com)
www.vp-6.com (http://www.vp-6.com)
www.vp6-board.com (http://www.vp6-board.com)

I say go for it, its one of the cheapest ways to get a really powerful system.

-finger

[BBA]

Dualees are great.

You see the most benefit from responsiveness and stability. Most programs will run smoother.

W2K does multitask ALL applications running, but will only devote total cpu time to those apps specifically requesting multiple threads simultaneously.

Very few games use this. Q3A does have the ability, but is not stable in SMP mode.
-However, you will see a slight speed boost from ALL aplications over the same application in a single cpu machine.

Again, the best benefit is responsiveness...if you never tried to run MP3's while defragging the drive they are playing from while scanning another drive from NAV at the same time...you probably wouldn't understand what this actually means.

Look HERE (http://www.mrcs.net/board/mrcubb/ubb/Forum16/HTML/000003.html)

[BBA]

Also look here:

Abit is making a dual AMD motherboard (http://www.mrcs.net/board/mrcubb/ubb/Forum16/HTML/000073.html)

So...we will have a low dollar alternative to the $700-900 Tyan dual AMD board ( They are already taking orders in Japan for the Tyan )

Another resource to investigate here is www.2cpu.com (http://www.2cpu.com)