Can You Install Two CPUs on a Motherboard?

[Saint]

In the market, do we have motherboards that can install 2 P4 or AMD CPUs?

 

[bogdan]

Yes...

 

[MacTech]

of course...

use google, it isn't hard.

 

[russ_watters]

Originally posted by Saint

In the market, do we have motherboards that can install 2 P4 or AMD CPUs?

Not many of the AMD MP boards around though.

 

[Saint]

Originally posted by russ_watters
Not many of the AMD MP boards around though.

How much it boost the performance of the PC when compared to a single processor PC ?[?]

 

[damgo]

It depends what you're using the computer for. For most purposes, not at all. Programs can only use one CPU unless they're specifically written to take advantage of more. Some games can do this, but even then a second processor usually only gives you a ~25% speed boost.

SMP (multiple CPUs) is mainly useful if you are running a server of some sort, which is running many separate programs/tasks at once. Then the multiple processors can give the server a big performance boost.

 

[russ_watters]

Originally posted by Saint
How much it boost the performance of the PC when compared to a single processor PC ?[?]

If the hardware is VERY good and the software (and operating system) is VERY well written you may be able to get a 90% improvement in some rare cases.

AFAIK, there are still no games that employ SMP. Quake3 did initially but it was an incomplete feature that was discarded in an update.

 

[mcleodnine]

I've ben reading some good things about Intel's Hyperthreading technology. In short it can generate anywhere from ten to 40 percent increases in performance when a compatible OS is used. I believe IBM ran some benchmarks a couple of months ago comparing 'regular' and hyperthread architectures using XP Pro and Linux (not sure if it was a stock kernel or patched). Google for more answers.

As previously mentioned the performance results for dualCPU designs are highly dependant on the OS (WinXP Pro, Win2K, Linux, xBSD, SolarisX86) and the ability of the application to utilize it.

Q: Does Microsoft still require a license for each CPU in a machine?

 

[russ_watters]

Originally posted by mcleodnine
I've ben reading some good things about Intel's Hyperthreading technology. In short it can generate anywhere from ten to 40 percent increases in performance when a compatible OS is used. I believe IBM ran some benchmarks a couple of months ago comparing 'regular' and hyperthread architectures using XP Pro and Linux (not sure if it was a stock kernel or patched). Google for more answers.

As previously mentioned the performance results for dualCPU designs are highly dependant on the OS (WinXP Pro, Win2K, Linux, xBSD, SolarisX86) and the ability of the application to utilize it.

Q: Does Microsoft still require a license for each CPU in a machine?

Thats 40% WHEN MULTITASKING. For single thread applications there is zero difference in performance.

No, MS doesn't require a license for each cpu.

 

[mcleodnine]

Originally posted by russ_watters
Thats 40% WHEN MULTITASKING. For single thread applications there is zero difference in performance.

OKAY.

Here's the original article from IBM

 

[russ_watters]

Originally posted by mcleodnine
OKAY.

Here's the original article from IBM

Not sure if you're saying you don't believe me, but in any case, this sentence is key:

The results on Linux kernel 2.4.19 show Hyper-Threading technology could improve multithreaded applications by 30%. Current work on Linux kernel 2.5.32 may provide performance speed-up as much as 51%.

"multithreaded applications"