Author Topic: IT Guys: Server Advice! Dual AMD MPs? (Read 412 times)

LePaul · « **on:** March 13, 2002, 08:49:19 AM »

My old server is getting us by for now (Dual P-Pro 200s)...I had built a killer Dual P3 800 system complete with 1GB RAM and using a Mylex RAID 5. Problem is, the Tyan Tiger 133 Motherboard had issues and just came back from repair. I do not trust it and am pondering building a new server and selling off the pieces of that server (already chucked the P3's).

What really has me curious is the Dual AMD MP cpus. The AMDs I've purchased for the office really kick ass. Under 2000/XP Pro, they are just phenomenal.

My goal design for the new server is to run Windows 2000 Server as a web server ( I hear you Linux guys boo'ing already ). The question I have is: What's the word about these Dual AMD systems/setups?

Hardware prices have gone through the roof. I priced out servers on both IBM and Dell (dual 1ghz systems, RAID 5, etc). I'm in absolute awe that these guys charge an additional $999 for a second cpu (which costs $250).

Suggestions? Advice? Aiming for an April purchase. Already have a gorgeous server case, just pondering what to fill it up with. P3, P4 or AMDs.

Thanks, gentleman

mrsid2 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 13, 2002, 10:04:31 AM »

I have no first hand experience from MP:s.

Many people seem to be enthusiastic about them though..
There's one review here: http://www.lostcircuits.com/motherboard/amd_mpx/

I've had plenty of problems with hardware after I went AMD way. Maybe I've been unlucky, maybe not.

I'm pleased with performance but I've had to spend days rooting out several problems, including a bad motherboard. I guess no brand works 100% ok all the time.

I think with the introduction of XP things have been better, since VIA chipsets etc. were finally built in the OS.

LePaul · « **Reply #2 on:** March 13, 2002, 10:20:35 AM »

Wholly techy reviews....but good ones.

So the Tyan seems to be the best bang for the buck, from the summary.

Now, where to find one, the cpus, costs, etc.

qts · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2002, 04:33:07 PM »

Pentium Pros are much under-rated. Have you considered looking for higher-speed P-Pros? (They do exist).

I'm very happy with my dual P3-1G machine (ABit VP6) but that's not a webserver.

My gut feeling is that the Athlon SMP motherboards haven't had the kinks removed - USB is a prime example of this. With a webserver, you want reliability over performance, and AMD has a serious question mark there.

bloom25 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2002, 02:55:22 AM »

I think Asus makes a dual XP/MP board based on the new AMD 760 MPX chipset as well. I've heard nearly all positive feedback on dual AMD stuff in general, but I do know there are some USB issues with the new 760 MPX chipset. (I think ASUS worked around the problem by using a 3rd party USB controller chip on the board.)

BTW: The Athlon XPs are identical to the Athlon MPs, both work for dual processors. The difference is that the MPs were pretested (certified) for dual processing and probably the "best of the batch" so to speak.

One thing I'd be careful of is it get yourself a very powerful power supply and provide sufficient cooling. If it's a server, I'd also consider ECC ram.

Lephturn · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2002, 08:03:36 AM »

I second bloom25's comments.

I haven't built an Athlon MP box yet, but I've heard good things. At home I run a Win2k server with dual 366 Celerons on an Abit BP6 board that runs like clockwork. It runs ISA server (firewall and proxy for my home network) for me, as well as web/ftp (IIS) and on top of that my wife uses it as a workstation. It works great, and I have never... ever had it crash. Even though I OC'd it to 500 for over 2 years! Recently it's been heating badly (the mainboard chipset is heating) and I've had to clock it back to stock speed... but damn, what a tough rig!

BTW, any particular reason for a dual box? In my experience you are better off to get a high-end single processor system which will be cheaper, more stable, and better supported. Oh and did I mention faster?

In a business environment I normally only go to multi-proc with name-brand stuff from Compaq or Dell, grante those are a small fortune.

LePaul · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2002, 10:02:51 AM »

Hi guys

Dual CPUs since I have an environment where you can see the difference with two. I have a web bbs system that does some intensive file searches, and a RAID IO makes a big difference there. Further, IIS, the ASP applications I have going, FTP, NNTP and other things all run much smoother with that 2nd CPU ready to kick in. And lots of RAM too.

My current server, as mentioned, is a dual Pentium Pro 200mhz system. Its been very impressive. In a day with Ghz being the standard, that little Dual PPro system fares well. When I had the Dual P3 800s going, that was GREAT to watch...then the random Blue Screens of Death, which were traced back to a defect in the Tyan Tiger motherboard.

So, I have a killer server case (on wheels, 8 fans...it sounds like an auxillary power unit to a jet!) and thinking about the pieces to put into it. I've been impressed with the Athlon systems we have here at work.

Thanks!