[ale] new linux box

[James P. Kinney III]

I would put in that the only headache with buying the second processor
later is the pair usually need to be matched, both speedwise and
stepping wise. As long as the main core is from the same design die,
you'll be OK. But you can't mix i.e. coppermine with a non-coppermine
cpu. The second cpu will get out of sync with the first.

If you can't afford the two processors at the same time, you should
reevaluate your need for a dual system. 

Also, don't skimp on the cpu cooling system! 2 cpu's is easily more than
double the heat loading of a single cpu system. The memory chips can
start to get warm with a multi-cpu system as well as the extra
throughput on the system chipset. Fans are good. Concider an input fan
providing air around the cpus as well as multiple output fans on the
case.

On Tue, 2002-01-15 at 19:21, Michael Kachline wrote:
> On Tue, 15 Jan 2002, Stephen Turner wrote:
> 
> > i wanna go... now also... how is a dual processor? is
> > it utilized with linux? win 98? is it worth having? is
> > a dual 1 ghz better than one 2ghz ? ... i know a bit
> 
> 	Stephen,
> 
> 
> To begin, yes, Linux does support multi-CPUs.
> 
> I would say that the uni-processor vs multi-processor decision should be
> based on how you intend on using the machine. One myth to remove is that
> two CPUs will not nessacerily make your machine seem "faster". Stated
> differently, Mozilla may come up a wee bit quicker with a second CPU, but,
> if you bought that second CPU at premium prices expecting twice the speed,
> you'll be dissapointed. However, if you are the type who likes to do a lot
> of things at the same time (for instance, compile a kernel while
> mogrifying digital camera pictures), then a multi-CPU setup is more likely
> useful in your future. Even still, I would recommend that you purchase a
> dual-CPU board with a single CPU and wait out the CPU prices until you
> purchase the second CPU. The trick here is being patient and buying a
> second (now considered slow) CPU when everyone else is buying a new,
> faster computer.
> 
> If you are a gamer, or like to keep up with the latest and greatest of
> window managers (in linux), then, I would personally recommend sticking
> with a fast, uniprocessor box. Get the fastest thing you can with a lot of
> ram, a good video card and fast hard drives.
> 
> 
> If, however, you want to have this machine last you a while, buy a server
> class dual CPU motherboard, decent (though not outrageous) amount of ram,
> decent video card, and put the rest of your money in good disks and
>  a good monitor. When prices drop on your CPU and ram (and they
> will), then start upgrading. As new things come along which your machine
> did not have built in (like firewire, in my case), then you will probably
> have the option of purchasing a separate PCI controller card for such
> things if you want it.
> 
> 
> On the windows front, I do not believe that '98 supports multi-CPU boxes,
> though Win 2k and, I believe XP do support both CPUs. Whether the second
> CPU makes a difference in those environments, I'll leave to others,
> though can personally attest that once up, Win 2k runs fair  on a dual
> PPro 200 x 98 MB ram.
> 
> 
> 							- Mike
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
>  Michael Kachline
>  Systems Programmer
> 
>  Intec Telecom Systems
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> 
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-- 
James P. Kinney III   \Changing the mobile computing world/
President and COO      \          one Linux user         /
Local Net Solutions,LLC \           at a time.          /
770-493-8244             \.___________________________./

GPG ID: 829C6CA7 James P. Kinney III (M.S. Physics)
<jkinney at localnetsolutions.com>
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