Dual cpu's good?

[Maarchk]

I have a amd xp 2000 and its working pretty well.... but i want to do some processor intensive stuff like converting dvds into vcds and other such things... now i was wondering if any of the conversion programs can actually take advantage of the fact that there are two processors... I looked around and found.. i think it was called 2cpu.com or something like that and they saiw windows 2000 and xp could but no other programs really could... i was wondering if anyone knew.... oh and the cool thing is when you put 2 xp's on a mobo, it sees them as 2 mp's.. and you save a few hundred dollars... :)

thanks,
Maarchk :amidala:

"I like visiting countries over seas like canada."
- Britney Spears

[spigidygak]

Depends on what program you're using to render the files. Avid Xpress DV v3.5 supports dual cpus and I believe both ulead media stuio pro 6.5 and Adobe premiere 6.5 utilize dual cpus. I'm not sure what proggy you're using to do the rendering but look into the software thats the important key.

[GraingerGuy]

Doesn't the OS also have to be dually compadable to work with the other programs?

[Clipdat]

Something else worth mentioning, when useing two of the newer XP CPUs, you have to actually use a conductive pen to bridge one of the tiny bridges on the XP cpus for them to work correctly in a dual proc. config.

Also: When you do this, the CPUs haven't been tested to work in a dual proc. config, so there may be some abnormalities.. You really are better off using the actual AMD MP cpus, because they are tested and certified by AMD for use in a dual proc. setup..

But if you do want to try the XP route, you can look up past threads on 2cpu.com that will basically tell you how to unlock the XPs to use them as MPs.

Hope I could help.

[NuTs62]

Originally posted by GraingerGuy
Doesn't the OS also have to be dually compadable to work with the other programs?

aye aye. win2k, xp both do. 98, 95, ME won't.

[Ladogaboy]

Well, the first thing you need to do is up your system to a 133MHz FSB... You'll get a little performance increase. ;)

[topane]

Originally posted by NuTs62


aye aye. win2k, xp both do. 98, 95, ME won't. XP home doesn't do dual procs.

[Maarchk]

Thank you all... very helpful.. mmm i will have to be carefu about the bridging and unusual things that canhappen with fake dualies... but i think it will work out... hmm, if only windows were based on unix..... hehe oh wait thats macs, and those don't work well at all...
well, thanks again..
Maarchk:cool:

[spigidygak]

Well just to add also, you probably won't see much of a performance gain with a dual cpu setup. And about the macs don't work comment, a new dual 1.25 rig will probably run faster than any x86 dual setup. . . maybe a xeon 2.4 dually could out it but other than that.. . audio/video is done better on a mac still. But back to the main point, not sure if you want to invest in a dual board and extra cpu for maybe a few minutes faster of rendering time. It won't be anything exponentially faster.

[Jeffbx]

AV transfer if going to choke on your disk I/O anyway, not the CPU. If you're going to spend money, get a nice fast HDD - 15k RPM SCSI if you have enough cash. That'll boost your performance more than a 2nd CPU.