Dual processor or single ...


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I am building a system and I intend to run the new matrox card with 3 monitors on it...

Now I am trying to figure out if I should get a dual processors system or a single processor .. Would the second processsor help out with the stretching of the display on the second monitors? If so could you please describe the advantage.. And for you guys running dual displays can you describe the thoughts on this?

The system that I am looking at would be a Dual or Single AMD 2000 mhz... USB 2.0, firewire, WinTV, DMX 6Fire, CDRW, DVD, CD, several hd...

Based on that.. I will be doing graphics, webediting, advanced video graphics, advanced graphics, audio recording... ect.. and general high end system..

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dual processors help in processing when a program is programmed to use more than one processors. i believe PhotoShop 7 is tweaked as such and so is windowsXP. if you're getting the matrox card, the card will probably do most if not all of the work in regards to the stretching.

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yeah, i think dual processors are only really used for image manipulation and cad work, the only game that i can think of that might take advantege of it is quake3. should be handy for ur video editing :D

u should chuck a dvd burner in there :evil: :evil:

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Not only games or tweaked programs can take advantage.

In a multitasking and multithreading OS, like Windows XP Pro, or Windows Servers line, the processes are balanced to make two (or more processors) take equal efforts.

So, when you are doing multitasking (ie. more than a single process) you are ALWAYS gaining processing power... ;)

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DUAL CPU SUPPORTED:

Win 3.xx ---- NO

Win 95 ------ NO

Win 98 ------ NO

Win Me ------ NO

WinNT 3.x -- YES

WinNT 4 ---- YES (Server would handle upto 4, while advanced 8)

Win2000 ---- YES (Pro 2, Srv 4, Adv 8 or 16)

WinXP Pro --- YES

WinXP Home - NO

Win.NET ------- YES

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All NT-kernel based OS's (with the exception of XP Home) are multi-cpu capable, as well as linux. However, programs must be written specifically to benefit from multi-procs. So, in contrary to what JHAres said, you don't always gain benefits from having multi-procs. And to my knowledge, few programs on the windows platform are written to take advantage of this. But since you're wanting to do professional-level graphics and multi-media, one of the mainstays being Photoshop, I'd still go with the multi-proc setup. Just don't go into it expecting to be blown away by the performance in all areas.

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I was just wondering how much is having 3 monitors on a system going to task the cpu.. That is all.. And if I shoud invest in dual cpu system instead of single...

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i think the montor issue will only really put pressure on ur gpu (graphics card) if ur using matrox parhelia, that thing was designed with multiscreen use in mind, i reckon it should be fine :D

if u've got the cash to spare might as well go for dual cpus, or u can get a single bad @ss cpu and keep the change for future use :D

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Originally posted by azazel-

All NT-kernel based OS's (with the exception of XP Home) are multi-cpu capable, as well as linux. However, programs must be written specifically to benefit from multi-procs. So, in contrary to what JHAres said, you don't always gain benefits from having multi-procs. And to my knowledge, few programs on the windows platform are written to take advantage of this. But since you're wanting to do professional-level graphics and multi-media, one of the mainstays being Photoshop, I'd still go with the multi-proc setup. Just don't go into it expecting to be blown away by the performance in all areas.

Azazel, you can ALWAYS benefit if you are running MORE THAN ONE process... That is I intended to said.

If you run only one process, and that program is not optimized to take advantage from multiprocessors, there are not noticeable gain in that process.

But in an multitasking OS you are doing ALWAYS more than one process, your ONLY program are ALWAYS sharing timeslice from the processor with internal processes or services, so, you are gaining anyways when you have more than one CPU.

I installed more than one server with multiprocessors, and you can feel the difference in performance, when you are doing nothing too.

I'm not theorizing, I did the job... ;)

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Originally posted by timelimit

i think the montior will only really put pressure on ur gpu (graphics card) if ur using matrox parhelia, that thing was designed with multiscreen use in mind, i reckon it should be fine :D

It won't matter what the size of the monitors?

Well... I will ask the matrox forum... Bump..

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For the most part (as far as I have heard), multiprocessing doesn't do a lot for everyday applications. What it will be good for are things like rendering (ie. Photoshop, Bryce, etc). They are also great for web/file servers running on an OS such as Linux. I would personall go Dual PIII Xeon 2MB L2 Cache if I was rich.

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I agree with you but .... I am just trying to make sure that my system that I build will be the best that it can get and that I will maxize my performance.. Because I am a power user.. and I seem to break alot of stuff because I just am very hard and push everything to the limite. That is why im a beta tester and I know alot about building computers because I have broken many of them :)...

So, it is decided that i will get the same system that I have been wanting to build but I need to wait and get the money and just to make sure I need to make sure that i have the best ram that my mb can handle that will also help my system besides having 1 gig of ddr ram..

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Originally posted by iampedro

It won't matter what the size of the monitors?

Well... I will ask the matrox forum... Bump..

i meant running multiple monitors will mainly strain the graphics card....not the actual size of the monitor itself !

:paranoid:

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Originally posted by iampedro

I am building a system and I intend to run the new matrox card with 3 monitors on it...

Now I am trying to figure out if I should get a dual processors system or a single processor .. Would the second processsor help out with the stretching of the display on the second monitors? If so could you please describe the advantage.. And for you guys running dual displays can you describe the thoughts on this?

The system that I am looking at would be a Dual or Single AMD 2000 mhz... USB 2.0, firewire, WinTV, DMX 6Fire, CDRW, DVD, CD, several hd...

Based on that.. I will be doing graphics, webediting, advanced video graphics, advanced graphics, audio recording... ect.. and general high end system..

If you go Dual Proc, you'll need either Windows 2000 Pro or XP Pro.

Win9x/Me/XP Home Ed. Do NOT do Dual procs.

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Originally posted by linsook

well since u are going to do some video grhapis and all, rendering is cpu intesive so go for the dual

What kind of system do you have?

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