Author Topic: Anyone ever tried a dual processor mobo? (Read 363 times)

eddiek · « **on:** December 09, 2002, 08:19:24 AM »

Would one even work with AH, much less benefit the player with higher frame rates?
A local computer shop has mobos that take dual AMD MP CPU's, and with the current cost of hardware, I was looking at giving it a try.
Any thoughts?

Seeker · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2002, 09:04:55 AM »

Innominate · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2002, 10:33:31 AM »

It should work.
Dual CPU's don't offer much performance boost in most games though. They're better suited to heavy multitasking applications, such as servers and high-end workstations.

In general, unless built to use two cpus, a single program can only run on one. It leaves the second cpu open for other programs to run on, but doesn't offer a big boost to a single program running.

Two 2.0ghz chips dont give you a 4.0ghz machine, what you get is closer to a pair of two 2.0ghz machines.

Manedew · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2002, 11:53:50 AM »

You'll need a good O/S to work with a dual system .... the main reason I want wait now for a new system is- i want to go dual but I want a good O/S and I want to see where Multi threading or hyperthreading goes.

Might want to think about the O/S's and the current market changes before you buy. XP or some flavor of Linux would be needed I think

AKDejaVu · « **Reply #4 on:** December 09, 2002, 06:13:04 PM »

I've been running a Dual Xeon 400 for about 5 years now. Its been pretty bulletproof. I ran for 2 years with LINUX on it and then the last 3 with Win2K professional.

Not many games are built to take advantage of dual processors using MPS (multi processor support), but if you're multi-tasking, they do help.

You will need LINUX, UNIX, Win2k or WinXP-Pro to actually utilize the second processor. Win98, WinME, Win95 and WinXP-Home do not have MP support.

Also, you want to go with a good motherboard. I recommend the SuperMicro products for dual Intel processors. They've been doing it for a while and they have quality products as well as quallity support. However.... You'll most likely pay twice as much for their gear.

AKDejaVu

SunKing · « **Reply #5 on:** December 10, 2002, 09:16:42 AM »

Wineman has one... doesn't help AH to much.. he can multitask easily while minimized outta the game thats about it. I heard Quake3 is the only game coded to utilize a dual cpu mobo.

Skuzzy · « **Reply #6 on:** December 10, 2002, 09:39:22 AM »

Actually, neither OpenGL or DirectX are multi-threaded, so games cannot get much out of a dual CPU system, but in a multi-tasking OS, the inherent background processes could be offloaded to a free CPU, which might make a very small difference in a games performance.

I agree with Deja. SuperMicro motherboards are the best bet for a dual Intel CPU arrangement.

Octavius · « **Reply #7 on:** December 10, 2002, 10:47:24 AM »

and which mobo best suits dual AMDs?

qts · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2002, 08:18:16 AM »

For me, the issue is not increased performance but increased reliability and smoothness of the GUI. If a process hangs one CPU, the other is there to take care of it. I have three dual-CPU systems - 2xAbit BP6 (dual Celeron 400), 1x Abit VP6 (dual P3-1000).