Duel Processor Systems Question

[SimonTemplar]

Hi all,
What exactly are the benefits of having a duel processor system? I know having 2 700mhz chips would not give you 1400mhz, but does it spread the load between the two? I can't decide between getting a AbitVP6 with 2 P-III 700's(Cc0 stepping for overclocking) or just getting an Abit KT7A-Raid with an Athlon 1.3 I am using this system for gaming and Photoshop stuff. Also, I know I sound stupid, but I can use Win98 or ME on the VP6 system right? For some reason I always see it in use with Win2K. Thanx!!!!!!

[Goldwingnut]

Linux, FreeBSD and Windows NT can "see" two or more processors. Windows 9X & ME can only "see" one. Doesn't do a whole lot of good to have 2 procs if the application software isn't written for 2 procs.

NT and Win2K Pro come in "1 or 2 Processor" versions. Can be ordered in up to 32 proc versions.

Most multi-processor systems are servers or graphics boxes.

See www.bp6.com (http://www.bp6.com) A site that has info on both BP6 and VP6 MBs.

[randy48]

98 & ME will run on a machine with dual processors but will only use one. A dual machine needs NT 4, W2K, Linux, Unix, etc. These OS are setup to make use of the dual system. They split the load between both processors.

[NDC]

The benefits are that you can multi-task at much faster speeds since the CPU won't be tied up processing the first thread... Programs that utilize SMP such as Photoshop, 3D-Max, etc will have a great advantage over a single processor system...

Yes, you can run Win98 on a VP6 mainboard with 1 processor or 2, but the 2nd processor will not be enabled when you use a Non-SMP OS such as Win9x or ME. You will need to use a SMP supporting OS such as NT4, Win2k, Linux, etc...

There seem to be a lot of people who think that you can only benefit from a multi-processor system from SMP supporting applications. That's incorrect...


[This message has been edited by NDC (edited 05-05-2001).]

[Goldwingnut]

Go here:
http://hardware.earthweb.com/moth

Scroll to the bottom. Next-to-the-last article will fill you in.

Titled "Dual Processor Workstations: Super Highway or Dead End?

This link to the article named above didn't work so well last time I posted it here, but I'll try again:
http://hardware.earthweb.com/moth/article/0,,12102_600091,00.html

[SimonTemplar]

Thanx Guys, that cleared up alot of things. One other thing, if I go with Win2K on the duel setup, can I run games on it? I know I can probably run some, but would I be in for alot of headaches?

[NDC]

Yeah, you can run games on Win2k.. There are some games that won't run on Win2k though... The processor number has nothing to do with it, it has to do with the OS. If you're worried that the game that you want to run won't run on Win2k, you may want to check here:

http://www.ntcompatible.com/0.shtml


If the game doesn't run on Win2k, just have the system dual boot between Win2k and Win98.

[plucky duck]

...or you can simply dual-boot between 98SE and W2K like I'm doing right now. I use 98SE for gaming as its much speedier, and use W2K Server as my networking testbed.

And yes, you don't need to have SMP-enabled applications to take advantage of the 2 Procs. The OS will split the load and speed/reaction is definitely noticeable especially when you run cpu-intensive tasks. Scanning is one of 'em, where it stuttered and mouse movement and other tasks where not achievable on uniproc systems, it is not fully functional on a multi-proc rig.

Once I'm here, there's no going back I tell ya, its simply terrific.

Plucky