Multiprocessor system vendor?

[DannO]

This isn't strictly on-topic, but conversion greatly benefits from mp systems, so it seemed like the best place. Can anyone recommend a place to buy multi-processor systems from? Athlon or Intel. Looking for quality construction and components. Anybody?

[tinycorkscrew]

I can't recommend a vendor for a complete system, but I suggest Monarch Computer for motherboard, processors, and heatsinks. Not only are they very inexpensive, but they do very good work as well.

I bought a Tyan Thunder K7, two Athlon MPs, and two heatsinks from them. They put the processors on the motherboard and attached the heatsinks, updated the motherboard's bios, and then they tested the board before sending.

Monarch's price on the motherboard was the lowest I could find, and their price on the processors was within $8 of the lowest. The labor is free.

If you read the Tyan messageboards at http://www.amdmb.com, you'll see that Monarch Computer is very highly thought of.

I'd buy memory from Crucial.

Putting together a computer is relatively easy if the processors and heatsinks are already attached. You could save money and get better quality components if you built yourself instead of buying pre-built.

[DannO]

Thanks for the help, tiny. I initially thought of doing the system myself, but after dipping my toe in the water seemed pretty deep. I'm sure I could find quality components, but I'd hate to think that I might overlook some bigger picture issue. I'll check with monarch anyway.

I see Crucial's name on lots of memory around here.... why is that?

[Shabubu]

Crucial make very good memory, as do Mushkin and Kingston. With memory it's definately a case of what you see is what you get. Remember the lower the CAS the better.

[sommersby]

I was considering a dual cpu machine as My main use is video. But after doing some research, and talking to a few here I decided to just upgrade to the new AMD xp processor, Have not been disappointed, my encode times were cut 35-45 percent, not quite as fast as I have seen reported with dual 1g athlons, but for the price and without the complications it was a great trade off.