• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Any Issues With Dual Proc Machines?

S

ShotgunSteven

Lifer
I mean in general, not just with SETI@Home. I was thinking about building a dedicated cruncher, but figure I would be money ahead just upgrading my current hardware. I think I want to go with a duallie set-up, but I have zero experience with them. Anything I should know, FAQs I should read, etc. All I can tell you is that I would prefer it to be an AthlonXP set-up. 😀
 
Go to 2cpu.com - they are a great help for dual cpu rigs. All I can say is that they are great, not many problems once you sort out the little kinks.

Good luck!

 
Hopefully Crazee or networkman will pop in soon. I know both of them have dualie XP rigs. I had one but sold it in favor of a faster single CPU setup.
 
I have (had) a dual Celeron 366 (previously 400@400) and it was very nippy as regards to doing stuff in Windows!

For Seti, obviously as they were only Celerons and only had 128kb L2 cache, took about 18hrs per WU (normally single Celeron about 16-17hrs)

Dual setup will be just a little slower than same speeds in single for Seti, as both processors are using the same shared memory bandwidth, but with the XPs it shouldn't be too bad (just a guess, maybe about 3-5% slower)

You will have to use an OS such as Win2k or WinXP Pro (Home only supports 1 CPU) or Linux to support the twin CPUs, but it is so nippy, and being able to do lots of different things at once without any apparant slowdown is really nice!

Confused
 
2cpu is a good resource. Truthfully it's not hard AT ALL. Just need to use a SMP capable OS (NT, Win2K, XP or Linux AFAIK)
 
Originally posted by: RaySun2Be
The only issue I have with dual setups is I don't have enough of them, or fast enough CPUs in them. 😀
Click to expand...
My only issue with dual CPU setups is that they're too expensive, and I, as a poor HS student, can't afford one. 🙁 😉
 
Originally posted by: jliechty
My only issue with dual CPU setups is that they're too expensive, and I, as a poor HS student, can't afford one. 🙁 😉
Click to expand...
My dual XP1800+ rig cost less than building a p4 1.6a rig.

 
Ditto what minendo said! 😉

Mine (the one I'm currently using as my home surfing desktop and what I'm typing this message on right now) is a dual XP 1600+. I also have a dual-Xeon III. Nice. The larger cache Xeons (1MB and higher) do give you better performance with SETI when compared to other same-MHz processors, as processes run on those large cache processors don't take a hit from the CPUs' competing for the slower RAM.

The dual XP is running Red Hat 7.3 and the dual Xeon is running windoze 2000 Advanced Server.
 
:Q Another Poof sighting! That's 2 in 2 days :Q😉

And, another freaky thing, is Poof running.....Windoze.....😕



😉
 
Originally posted by: Confused
:Q Another Poof sighting! That's 2 in 2 days :Q😉

And, another freaky thing, is Poof running.....Windoze.....😕



😉
Click to expand...

/me smacks Confused upside the head! 😛
 
Yeah, what Minendo said. Dual-cpu rigs do not have to be expensive.. the BP6 with a pair of Celerons is a relatively inexpensive solution. And as far as experience goes, you can get dual Pentium Pro parts on eBay for REALLY cheap. Just last week I purchased a pair of dual-PPro 200 systems for $25 each. 😀 Granted, they're not anywhere near as fast as dual xp1800s but they're a good learning experience. 😉

I just sold the last of dual MP1200 systems, but I still have a dual p2-400 Xeon(2meg) rig and another dual AMD board waiting for a pair of 1.3 Durons. 😉 And of course the dual PPro rigs and a Quad that I'm trying to decide if I want to build up or not.

At one time I had an ALR 6-way PPro 200 server but alas, I sold that. One of the myriad projects in my basement is an 8-way p3-Xeon server, but it'll be a while before I can afford all of the parts.. at least I know the mainboard works, so I don't have to guess on that, and that is the most critical part. 😉
 
Originally posted by: networkman
And of course the dual PPro rigs and a Quad that I'm trying to decide if I want to build up or not.
Click to expand...

Of COURSE you want to set these up! 😕

If not, then send them my way 😉


Poof
OW!!! 😛
 
Originally posted by: networkman
Yeah, what Minendo said. Dual-cpu rigs do not have to be expensive.. the BP6 with a pair of Celerons is a relatively inexpensive solution. And as far as experience goes, you can get dual Pentium Pro parts on eBay for REALLY cheap. Just last week I purchased a pair of dual-PPro 200 systems for $25 each. 😀 Granted, they're not anywhere near as fast as dual xp1800s but they're a good learning experience. 😉

I just sold the last of dual MP1200 systems, but I still have a dual p2-400 Xeon(2meg) rig and another dual AMD board waiting for a pair of 1.3 Durons. 😉 And of course the dual PPro rigs and a Quad that I'm trying to decide if I want to build up or not.

At one time I had an ALR 6-way PPro 200 server but alas, I sold that. One of the myriad projects in my basement is an 8-way p3-Xeon server, but it'll be a while before I can afford all of the parts.. at least I know the mainboard works, so I don't have to guess on that, and that is the most critical part. 😉
Click to expand...
Wow, Networkman, I only thought you were addicted before, but now I have the facts. 😉

Anyhow, where did you find an 8 proc xeon motherboard? Can you tell what model it is? I'd be interested in looking up some more info on such beasts, if only for the drool factor. 😛
 
The board that I have was a "spare" for an HP LXR8500 NetServer - here's a link to an auction for a complete system using this same board. Probably the most expensive part(in addition to the board/chassis itself), is procuring a matched set of 8 processors all with the same stepping code.. that can be tricky, especially, if you can't afford to buy them "new". 😉

I suspect I'll probably have a dual p4-xeon rig up and running before the 8-way is done.
rolleye.gif

 
NWM...you always find the neatest toys.

Duals are fun, I recently sold 4 dual p2's.
I have 2 dual p3's and 4 dual xp1800's. However, only 1 dual is in the house and running, I've been on the road to much to get those in the garage hooked up.

Me wants to cry over that, I'm hoping business will do its usual slowdown between Turkey and Santa so I can get mine back online!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top