stupid question

[thePh@r@oh]

im curious...what are the advantages to using a dual CPU system. I know usually only servers have dual CPUs. I'm curious how good would it work as a desktop system any noticeable speeds as far as gaming.

if your ripping dvds, editing videos, doing graphics they could become useful.

but i only know one game that takes advantage of duals and i think its quake 3

so if your not hardcore into what i said above, your wasting your money

[thePh@r@oh]

right thats actually good to hear...i was thinking of starting recording my electronic music on my computer. i wanted to build one exclusively to do my music so would that help. burning the CDs and stuff?

[Chiguy]

You'll need software that is multi-threaded for the multiple processors to process. Like GroundZero3 said, Quake 3 is one of them.

[thePh@r@oh]

not too worried about the gaming part...more worried about the whole musing creation and maybe the occasional Photoshop to make CD covers and stuff.

well i think duals are pointed more towards higher graphic creations like bryce.

[Arcuivie]

I don't think your going to need dual-processors for what you are going to do, for I do the same thing and I'm running an Athlon 2500+, it is good to have a good bit of RAM though, since audio programs usually take up a lot of system memory.

[daveleau]

There are a few applications that can use both processors at once for different tasks. In a single processor system, only one task is accomplished at a time. In a multiple processor system, multiple tasks can be worked on at the same time, but it is a function of the OS and the application as much as the chipset and processors. Off the top of my head, Photoshop and other graphics programs are the only real major beneficiaries of multi-processes systems in the home. None of the applications or processes you mentioned would benefit from a dualie. As a matter of fact, it'd be a slower system if it were a dualie.

[beppodmime]

It really depends on the software you're going to use. Like everyone is saying, some programs can take better advantage of the second CPU. IMO, a 2 CPU system isn't necessarily going to give you much more performance, at least not enough to justify the additional cost, considering that there are much better technologies available for a single CPU workstation.

I've also been thinking about building a 2 CPU system, just for the heck of it, though.

[Telexen]

People are fooled into believing dual CPU systems are cool...they're not that great. I have 3 of them. Two Pentium 166's ... Two Pentium 200's ... and two Celeron 433's

As said the only time it does any good is when the programs you use are designed to use both. The only other advantage is for distributed computing.

If you want to build a dual system for the heck of it, don't waste your money building AthlonMP systems, and certainly not Xeons unless you have a reason...try the older Socket 370 Celerons or Pentium 3s. (I use an Abit BP6 for my dual celeron socket370 system)