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Newbie needs some info anyone wanna help??

69.123.4.32
Posted on January 4, 2006 at 10:02:57
Frank25
Audiophile

Posts: 1638
Location: NYC
Joined: May 13, 2005
 Ok I have a basic knowledge of computers and have built a few for family and friends in the past maybe around 5 years ago or so. I have a lot of questoions and if anyone could help that would be great. My current system is a P3 800mhz/100fsb/256 with 768megs ram and a 40gig 5400 hard drive, and although it works fine for web browsing and stuff like that, its slow at more demanding tasks such as mp3 encoding, ripping and multitasking. So Im looking to put together a better system on the cheap. So I have a few questions

1. Whats the advantage of Dual processors? A freind of mine has an older Intel mother board with dual P3 900mhz 2mb Xeon processors that I could get for around $50 or so.

2. What is a P3 Xeon processor? Would a pair of p3 900mhz 2mb Xeons be a big step above my current p3 800mhz processor? Can a Dual Xeon setup be used as a desktop for regular non-server duty??

I know this stuff is quite old and outdated, but for $50 its worth a shot isnt it?? I would just upgrade my cpu/mobo with this one and keep my current hard drive and memory. Do you guys think it would be a significant upgrade>?
thanks

 

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I'm a big fan of dual processor systems, posted on January 4, 2006 at 13:24:43
dwill123
Audiophile

Posts: 2162
Location: Philadelphia
Joined: September 7, 2003
 >>1. Whats the advantage of Dual processors?
At your current level you'll find that your system tends to run a lot more smoother (NOT NECESSARILY FASTER). The fact that you have 2 cpu's handling the load basically means that processing capability is almost always available. Where as with one processor everything must wait for the avialability of the processor (usually not very noticable to the naked eye).

>>2. What is a P3 Xeon processor?
* Server level cpu's. Usually a larger cache memory and designed for higher end multi-user processing such as database processing.
>>Would a pair of p3 900mhz 2mb Xeons be a big step above my current p3 800mhz processor?
* IMO no. While you will see improvement in media encoding and running multiple apps it won't be BIG. I think you would see more of an improvement if you were to upgrade to an inexpensive current single cpu Intel P4 or AMD Athlon XP system.
>>Can a Dual Xeon setup be used as a desktop for regular non-server duty??
* Yes but to get the most out of it you'll need an operating system that can see and use both cpu's. I beleive that Windows NT Workstation and Windows 2000 Workstation can read 2 cpu's (also Windows NT Server and Windows 2000 Server).

Is it worth the move? For $50 if everything works and from where you are now sure why not it's only $50. Just don't think you're getting a supersystem capable of running rings around your current setup it's just not the case.

I would highly recommend that you visit www.2cpu.com the leading website on multi cpu systems. Good luck.

 

Re: I'm a big fan of dual processor systems, posted on January 4, 2006 at 14:06:10
Frank25
Audiophile

Posts: 1638
Location: NYC
Joined: May 13, 2005
 So pretty much if I want a big boost in performance I need to just go with one of the new P4 or AMD64 processors. I pretty much figured that, but thought it would be fun to play around with the dual xeon setup since its only $50.

So Whats everyones opinion on AMD vs Intel?? Ive heard very good things about the AMD64 cpus. Am I better off with a real fast single core (AMD64 4000+) or a slower (AMD64x2 3800)??

 

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