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  3. Is two CPUs better than 1 (building a comp.)

Is two CPUs better than 1 (building a comp.)

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  • T TigerNinja_

    Hi All, I was thinking about building a new computer. Is it better to have 2 - 1.5Ghz CPU or 1 - 3.0Ghz CPU ? I've heard with 2 cpus there are lock contentions for resources, but I want to take advantage of multi-threaded applicatoins. With 2 CPUs I most have good cooling unit , correct? Any links or advice on building a computer would be appreciated. TIA


    R.Bischoff | C++   .NET, Kommst du mit?

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    Mike Player
    wrote on last edited by
    #6

    Don't the new Intel 3.0Ghz chips run HyperThreading. ? I.e. the sign CPU emulates 2 CPUS anyway

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    • M Mike Player

      Don't the new Intel 3.0Ghz chips run HyperThreading. ? I.e. the sign CPU emulates 2 CPUS anyway

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      Chris Maunder
      wrote on last edited by
      #7

      Yes it does. The hyperthread won't give you double performance, but it will give you a nice perf boost. cheers, Chris Maunder

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      • T TigerNinja_

        Hi All, I was thinking about building a new computer. Is it better to have 2 - 1.5Ghz CPU or 1 - 3.0Ghz CPU ? I've heard with 2 cpus there are lock contentions for resources, but I want to take advantage of multi-threaded applicatoins. With 2 CPUs I most have good cooling unit , correct? Any links or advice on building a computer would be appreciated. TIA


        R.Bischoff | C++   .NET, Kommst du mit?

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        Chris Maunder
        wrote on last edited by
        #8

        We've just gone through this exercise and a setup with dual 2.4 hyperthread Xeons is the same price as a single P4 3.0 hyperthread. We're going for the dual Xeons. Bus speed is faster for the 3.0, but overall we feel that for our application the dual Xeons will give us more bang for our buck. cheers, Chris Maunder

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        • T TigerNinja_

          Hi All, I was thinking about building a new computer. Is it better to have 2 - 1.5Ghz CPU or 1 - 3.0Ghz CPU ? I've heard with 2 cpus there are lock contentions for resources, but I want to take advantage of multi-threaded applicatoins. With 2 CPUs I most have good cooling unit , correct? Any links or advice on building a computer would be appreciated. TIA


          R.Bischoff | C++   .NET, Kommst du mit?

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          Giles
          wrote on last edited by
          #9

          Well if they are or are not I'm going to be getting myself a dual AMD Opteron when they come out, just for the hell of it. :-D

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          • T Terry Denham

            Maximilien wrote: most softwares now will only multithread on one processor This is not correct. If a program is multi-threaded it will take advantage of multiple CPUs. I'm not aware of any program that would actually want to run under a processor affinity mask to where it's threads only run on a single processor. I have a workstation at home that is a dual 666Mhz and I really like the responsiveness of the box. I'm looking at upgrading it to a dual 2.53. I've looked at the 3.0 GHz with hyperthreading but I'm not really sure that the dual 2.53 would be more responsive than the 3.0Ghz but I've been happy with my dual proc box. It's the only way to go if you are going to develop multi-threaded applications.

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            Rob Graham
            wrote on last edited by
            #10

            Terry Denham wrote: I'm not aware of any program that would actually want to run under a processor affinity mask to where it's threads only run on a single processor. Microsoft Access Jet engine is subject to dfeadlocks on multiprocessor system. If using Jet on a multiprocessor, the only safe thing seems to be to force the affinity mask to the first processor. :):suss: Some ideas are so stupid that only an intellectual could have thought of them - George Orwell

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            • C Chris Maunder

              We've just gone through this exercise and a setup with dual 2.4 hyperthread Xeons is the same price as a single P4 3.0 hyperthread. We're going for the dual Xeons. Bus speed is faster for the 3.0, but overall we feel that for our application the dual Xeons will give us more bang for our buck. cheers, Chris Maunder

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              Anders Molin
              wrote on last edited by
              #11

              You did get the XEON's then, good choice :) I have just ordered a TYAN Thunder i7505 board, and 2 XEON 2.8 for my dev-box :) Can't wait to get them. - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!"

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              • R Rob Graham

                Terry Denham wrote: I'm not aware of any program that would actually want to run under a processor affinity mask to where it's threads only run on a single processor. Microsoft Access Jet engine is subject to dfeadlocks on multiprocessor system. If using Jet on a multiprocessor, the only safe thing seems to be to force the affinity mask to the first processor. :):suss: Some ideas are so stupid that only an intellectual could have thought of them - George Orwell

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                Terry Denham
                wrote on last edited by
                #12

                Rob Graham wrote: Microsoft Access Jet engine is subject to dfeadlocks That sucks.

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                • C Chris Maunder

                  We've just gone through this exercise and a setup with dual 2.4 hyperthread Xeons is the same price as a single P4 3.0 hyperthread. We're going for the dual Xeons. Bus speed is faster for the 3.0, but overall we feel that for our application the dual Xeons will give us more bang for our buck. cheers, Chris Maunder

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                  Terry Denham
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #13

                  Plus don't the Xeons run the L1 cache at full cpu speed where the regular P4 run the L1 cache at 1/2 cpu speed. Or was this only applicable to the P3s?

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                  • R Rob Graham

                    Terry Denham wrote: I'm not aware of any program that would actually want to run under a processor affinity mask to where it's threads only run on a single processor. Microsoft Access Jet engine is subject to dfeadlocks on multiprocessor system. If using Jet on a multiprocessor, the only safe thing seems to be to force the affinity mask to the first processor. :):suss: Some ideas are so stupid that only an intellectual could have thought of them - George Orwell

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                    Daniel Turini
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #14

                    Rob Graham wrote: Microsoft Access Jet engine is subject to dfeadlocks on multiprocessor system. If using Jet on a multiprocessor, the only safe thing seems to be to force the affinity mask to the first processor. I've ran into this too. I see dumb people

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                    • T Terry Denham

                      Plus don't the Xeons run the L1 cache at full cpu speed where the regular P4 run the L1 cache at 1/2 cpu speed. Or was this only applicable to the P3s?

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                      John M Drescher
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #15

                      Terry Denham wrote: Or was this only applicable to the P3s? L1 cache is full speed on most processors that I remember. Slot 1 P3s and Slot A Athlons had cache dividers on L2 cache. This was due to off chip cache. Current CPUs have full speed (L1 and L2) cache that is located on the CPU. L1 cache is normally small compared to L2 unless you are talking about Duron processors. John

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                      • T TigerNinja_

                        Hi All, I was thinking about building a new computer. Is it better to have 2 - 1.5Ghz CPU or 1 - 3.0Ghz CPU ? I've heard with 2 cpus there are lock contentions for resources, but I want to take advantage of multi-threaded applicatoins. With 2 CPUs I most have good cooling unit , correct? Any links or advice on building a computer would be appreciated. TIA


                        R.Bischoff | C++   .NET, Kommst du mit?

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                        John M Drescher
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #16

                        As a programmer I have always loved dual precessor machines. I have had at least one dual box at home for the last 6 years. If you are building it yourself a dual box should not cost more than $700 more than a single cpu configuration. Look at AMD MPX boards with Athlon MP processors. I've put systems together with dual 2Ghz processors 2GB of RAM and 240GB RAID 0 for under $2000. All my high power workstations I build for work (medical imaging) are dual boxes. I write my applications multithreaded and always try to make the most of both processors. John

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