Benefits of running Dual MP's as opposed to Dual XP's.

[777php]

I am planning on building a dualie systen with the new Asus board that just came out, I was wondering if it was worth the extra money to buy two MP chips or to just buy two XP chips.

What are the advantages of running the MP's over the XP's if any or are they basically the same? I heard that both MP's and XP's have the same SMP instructions set.

Learn me guys!

 

[Viper GTS]

The one & only advantage is official support from AMD.

Viper GTS

 

[777php]

So the two chips are exacly the same?

 

[TheOverlord]

i heard somewhere that if the mobo itself has a certain AMD chipset then it can't take the XPs...so is this just a myth?

 

[777php]

I'm planning on getting this a7m266-d

I've read on a few websites where they have successfully run dual XP's in it, now I was just wondering if there were any advantages. I'm hoping not because it would save me some serious dough.

 

[Cooltech2k]

If So Couldnt You Also Run Duron 1ghz+ (Morgan Core) To Get the Same SMP Instruction Set

 

[Sir Fredrick]

It's easier to unlock the multiplier on an MP...but if you can get dual XPs to run together then there is no difference (besides the multiplier thing)

 

[MoFunk]

The MP's come factory unlocked I beleive. I did read somewhere that there is really no difference in the 2 chips and that you can easily run XP's in a dualy system.

 

[777php]

i'm not planning to oc so i could care less about unlocking the multiplier.

looks like i'll be getting myself two xp 1800's soon!

 

[Ziptar]

<< If So Couldnt You Also Run Duron 1ghz+ (Morgan Core) To Get the Same SMP Instruction Set >>



Yes you can and I am

 

[Sir Fredrick]

Anyone know if the issues have been worked out with the ASUS board yet? I know they were initially having problems with the 66MHZ PCI64 slots not being backwards compatible with 33MHZ PCI32 cards, not to mention the whole USB problem. I'm trying to hold off on buying a motherboard until they get that fixed.

 

[ILikeSprite]

<< i heard somewhere that if the mobo itself has a certain AMD chipset then it can't take the XPs...so is this just a myth? >>



I heard this also. Are you sure about that the XPs will work?? Because I don't want to buy 2 XPs and not be able to use them.......

EDIT: I was looking at a mobo here and it doesn't say it supports XPs anywhere.

 

[ILikeSprite]

<< I'm planning on getting this a7m266-d

I've read on a few websites where they have successfully run dual XP's in it, now I was just wondering if there were any advantages. I'm hoping not because it would save me some serious dough. >>



The description says:



<< The A7M266-D supports up to two AthlonTM MP processors, or single AthlonTM XP/AthlonTM socket A processor. >>

 

[BuckleDownBen]

There is extensive discussion of this over in the forums of 2cpu.com. Like was said before the only difference between XP and MP is official support from AMD. As far as the Asus goes, you have to switch a jumper to get the 64/66 PCI issue resolved. However, this is with rev 1.03. If you get a rev 1.04 board, this is fixed plus you can change the voltage on both cpu's. I think the onboard usb issue might also be resolved in rev 1.04. If you are considering buying an MPX board, you need to go over to 2cpu.com.

 

[ILikeSprite]

Dunno if this is true but according to this thread the early XPs would work but not the later ones. Which could be why there have been people that have gotten them to work...........

 

[Sir Fredrick]

<< Dunno if this is true but according to this thread the early XPs would work but not the later ones. Which could be why there have been people that have gotten them to work........... >>



I've seen that, but then I have also heard of people getting the newer XPs to work, so I am not certain about the issue, I get the impression that there was a batch of XPs that were SMP enabled, then a batch that were SMP disabled, and now they're all enabled again. Could be wrong.

 

[Sir Fredrick]

The faq at 2cpu forums states:

Q: I've heard the Athlon XP's have been SMP disabled, but people are running them in SMP without a problem. What's the definitive word on this issue?
A: As far as I know, the Athlon XP's have not been SMP disabled. No reliable source, AMD or other, has confirmed or denied this. Still, it's best to buy the Athlon MP's for the assurance of SMP support.