Dual Core/Quad Core VS actual Multi Processor Systems

[Mango1970]

Hey all...

My office spent a FORTUNE many years ago getting multi processor Xeon systems for us. The IT department is still a strong believer that we need to stick with "true" multi processor systems rather than just getting a simple C2D or even a Quad Core. I don't understand why we need to keep spending so much on specialized motherboards, special RAM etc to accompany such CPU's when it seems that a C2D or a quadcore like the Q6600 can satisfy our needs.

Are there really any benefits to actual multi processor units apart from generally be able to install more RAM?

On a side note if money was no object is there a way to get multiple C2D like say 2 e66000 or even 2 Q6600?? Is there such a mobo? Or do we need to use specialized Xeon CPU's?

 

[PCTC2]

You can get multiple dual-cores and quad-cores into a system, but not C2D Socket 775 Processors. You would use Socket 771 Xeon Core2Duos/Quads. There are dual socket 771 motherboards that support Woodcrest (Xeon 5XXX Series) Quad-core processors so you can run 8 cores on the Intel i5000P Chipset.

 

[themisfit610]

You have to use Xeon CPUs (Socket 771). The advantage is that they're cheaper!

The MacPro is a popular dual Core 2 architecture workstation, and in fact has a fantastic price to performance ratio.

AFAIK, the only real advantage with a true SMP system is its greater expansion options offered by more PCIe and PCI-X slots, and extra RAM. If you just need a general purpose workstation that doesn't need to address over 4 gigs of ram, then there's nothing wrong with a single processor C2D or C2Q. Hell, with a good board, you can throw in dual video cards and an x8 SATA RAID controller that will handle 16 drives in RAID5. What more do you need, aside from maybe a fibre channel card, and a Blackmagic Design HD video ingest card?

~MiSfit

 

[NXIL]

From:

http://www.frameworkx.com/cont...ail.aspx?blog=56&id=66


Conclusion

As you can see, the move to dual-core is definitely a win for consumers. Since they are more affordable than dual processor computers, but offer the same or better performance, they are becoming the standard for modern computer systems.

It would seem much would depend on which OS you are using: with a 32 bit OS, you can only address 3 or 4 GB of RAM, so a dual core would be the best option.

For a 64 bit OS, having more RAM, and having ECC/registered/buffered RAM can make sense, depending on what software is running. A dual CPU motherbard with two dual or quad core Xeons or "Phenoms" would be great, but a bit expensive in terms of initial purchase price, and then power to run all those cores, etc--would need a big PSU.

What software is your company running?

NXIL