Need some info on a Dual P4 system

[Grant_H]

I'm looking for some opinions on a dual P4 system, Like what MB to get, or should I go with Dual AMD? I've built a few single processer units, but never a dual processer. Can I use any 2 Processers or do I need 2 matched units? Also, is there any other info that I need to consider with a dual processer system? Any info/coments is appreciated.

Edit:Or will a P4 HT give me about the same results as a dual system?

[jtommyj]

You can get alot of info at www.2cpu.com

Tom

[rallynavvie]

This is how far I am with mine.
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=218902
CPUs to follow in May when the costs come down. If you plan on building a Xeon system I highly suggest waiting until then as well.

As for the difference between a single and dual system: think of it like the difference between dial-up and broadband. Once you go dual you'll never want to go back to single CPUs for most anything. A single P4 with HT is OK but remember that current Xeons are also HT enabled so you can use up to 4 virtual processors. I've noticed things that HT doesn't handle as well as strict SMP as well. Many running Xeons with HT disable it most of the time.

2CPU is a good place to learn specifics, but you can get overwhelmed going in there without much prior SMP knowledge. I jumped into the SMP world with my Tyan Tiger and just figured it out as I went. Now I'm up to the point of getting a high-end workstation.

If you want a recommendation on what to get look at either the board I just got, the Iwill DH800, or the Asus PC-DL. They're workstation boards (as opposed to server boards, there is a little bit of difference) and offer some great features. They both use the Intel 875 MCH and Hance Rapids ICH so great onboard utilization of assets geared toward workstations. The differences: the Iwill has two 64-bit PCI-X slots and two 32-bit PCI where the PC-DL has five 32-bit slots, the DH800 has dual 4-phase VRM and support for the Nocona Xeons when they come out where the PC-DL does not and will not, the DH800 has Intel CSA GbE and the PC-DL is just vanilla onboard, the PC-DL runs about $200 and the DH800 $379. If you want some killer OCing options and PCI-X then definitely the Iwill board. If you want a cheaper entry into the dual world the PC-DL is still an awesome board.

Lemme know if you've got any other questions on dual platforms, there's a few of us here who use them and can spout off plenty of interesting knowledge regarding them

[jtommyj]

@ your edit-

No, a P4 with HT will not give you the same performance as a dual Xeon or Opteron or MP system depending on what you do. It also needs the process to be SMP capable for you to get the benefit of a dual processor machine other than the fact that with 2 processors you can multitask much better. I use TMPGEnc and CCE and Mainconcept encoders and they are all SMP enabled. Apps like Virtualdub and many others aren't.


My Xeons are multithreaded also just like the P4's. For every day applications like Office and such, you probably won't notice much difference and it may even "seem" a little slower than some of the new high FSB processors out there (like AMD64) that run with the memory controllers right on the chip.

I have 2x3.06 Xeons in a Tyan 2668 ANR and it is faster for video encoding but you didn't state what you want to use it for. But if I were a gamer I wouldn't go that route so more info is needed.

Give us a little more info about what you want to do and your PC habits and we can try to guide you a little better.

[Grant_H]

I am mostly using my computer for video converting, I do play a few games but only from time to time. It's been about 2 years since I updated my MB and processer, so it's about time for an overhaul of my system. I was just thinking that since it's time for an upgrade I would look into the dual processer rout, I was/am under the impression that 2 pcu's are much beter than one.

[rallynavvie]

The 2.2 P4 was available 2 years ago? Man, I'm losing track of the technology timeline lately

I didn't notice you were in MN. I live in the NW burbs of the Twin Cities. I was thinking of selling my dual 1900 machine as I was building the new one but now I think I see a purpose for it so I'm keeping it around. I guess it doesn't matter since you're looking at getting an Intel system.

Dual CPUs are much better than single. The only single I would ever even consider buying right now is the latest Athlon FX chip, and that's only because really fast single procs are usually better for gaming and the like. Remember that the current Xeon processors are only 533 MHz FSB, not 800 like the single P4s have. Still the power of two of them on SMP aware apps like Premiere, TMPGEnd, and many other video apps is astounding. Also the ability to set up a typical encode on one processor and be able to use the computer almost freely with the other CPU is fantastic. Sometimes during long audio encodes (Audition only recognizes one CPU) I use the other processor to play a game to pass the time until it's done.

Prepare to spend a lot of cash for the board and processors. As a general rule SMP motherboards cost twice what a single CPU board cost. Processors are usually twice the cost of a non-SMP chip, and you've got to buy two of them. Best to order them in pairs as it'll be more likely you'll get the same batch of chips which is usually a good thing. In the very least make sure you get same speed processors with the same stepping code. Other than that take a look at the thread I posted above and drool over what your next machine could look like

[Grant_H]

It doesn't by any means need to be an intel system. Intel is just what I am more familuler with. If AMD offeres better or just the same performance and cost a little less, It would make more sence to me to use AMD. I am just unfamilular with there chips.

[miksu]

From purely technical point, AMD has better bus more multiprocessing. From financial point, AMD is easier for your wallet