Dual CPU's or dual monitors, in your opinion which is more productive for the moderate to heavy multitasker?

[coolred]

I have been getting parts together for a dual xeon rig, nothing too expensive though. But I had much trouble with the install and I fear the board or maybe the cpu's are dead. So I am reconsidering what I am doing. Since I will likely have to rma the board or get new chips I will be out a system for a while. So anyways, I know i would benefit from dual CPU's, it may not be a huge performance gain, but I think it would be noticeable for sure.

But then there are dual monitors, being able to show 2 full screen things at a time, or many windowed things seems like it would be a lot of fun. And quite a nice thing to have.

Obviously I know having both dual CPU's and dual monitors would be the greatest, but at this point at least, I can't afford it. I have a second computer sitting at my desk, which uses the VGA on my dell 1800FP, I had planned for my other computer to use the DVI of the same monitor. SO I know dual CPU's would be great for stuff like say encoding a DVD while playing a game. But I could always encode on one machine and game on another, and if I go with dual monitors I could watch a DVD or TV or do whatever else on the other monitor. I was looking more for a great multitasking machine as opposed to gaming, hence the reason I opted for the dual xeons. But I can't help but wonder which would benefit me the most. Unfortunatly since I didn't get this system running, I have no idea how much of a benefit I would see with dual CPU's, nor have I ever used dual monitors, so i ask for your opinion on the matter.

 

[beatle]

Dual (or triple) monitors are MUCH more valuable for multitasking, IMO.

Having more than one CPU is only helpful if you run multiple programs THAT TAX THE CPU at the same time. Web browsing, irc, aim, email, etc. don't tax the cpu. I have 3 monitors and one cpu. Very rarely do I wish I had a second CPU on this machine. Windows scheduler might not be as nice as *nix, but it's not completely retarded. I can wait an extra 20 minutes for my DVD to finish encoding (put it on idle priority) if I wish to game at the same time.

 

[rpl318]

Dual Monitors.

 

[AncientPC]

Dual monitors, hands down. Once you use two monitors you can't switch back.

 

[ssvegeta1010]

Dual monitors. I would kill for a Dell 2001FP.

 

[mdaniel73]

Originally posted by: AncientPC
Dual monitors, hands down. Once you use two monitors you can't switch back.

Ditto. The only problem is that when you upgrade, you'll need to buy two so they match. I'm waiting for one of my 15" LCDs to die so I can have an excuse to go out and get a pair of 18-19" thin bezel ones.

 

[stevty2889]

I've been using dual monitors for a little over a year now. I could never go back to using a single monitor on my main rig again. Kinda cool being able to play a game on one monitor while watching a DVD on the other.

 

[Lifted]

I have both at work. Dual monitors are much more useful for normal home computer use.

 

[phisrow]

I, also, must recommend dual monitors. If you just want to try them out, you can usually get away with an unmatched pair. Obviously a matched set will be nicer(and if you are a graphics pro or something, an unmatched pair will drive you nuts); but if you don't have the cash you can get away with a suprisingly ghastly second monitor and still have a better multitasking experience. You'll want to keep the Photoshop/Gaming/DVD playing on your nicer monitor; but pretty much anything that will do better than 60hz will be perfectly fine for GAIM/Firefox/IRC/Word/&c. I've personally had quite decent results with an unmatched set of 17 inch CRTs of no particular merit. Obviously, it is worth the upgrade when you have the cash; but it is very, very hard to beat the price/performance ratio of something you can usually find for free if you look around a bit.

 

[dug777]

dual monitors...at least u got something 2 show 4 your money when other folk who ain't in the know have a look @it

I run an unmatched set of 17' CRTs usually, but a 17' and 15' CRT atm...it's very kewl indeed havin the two screens, even if u just fullscreen ur cpu usage graph on the other monitor while ur watching a DVD/mpeg/avi (then curse & swear if ur a proud 6800u owner )

 

[beatle]

Originally posted by: mdaniel73

Originally posted by: AncientPC
Dual monitors, hands down. Once you use two monitors you can't switch back.

Ditto. The only problem is that when you upgrade, you'll need to buy two so they match. I'm waiting for one of my 15" LCDs to die so I can have an excuse to go out and get a pair of 18-19" thin bezel ones.

Naw, they don't have to match to be effective. Heck, they don't even have to be the same size for you to realize the benefits of more than one display.

 

[mauiblue]

I went to this website and that put me over the edge in getting a multiple monitor setup:

Multiple monitor gallery

I just went off when I saw these setups. A lot of multimedia setups and some didn't have matching monitors.

 

[coolred]

I will check out that website. If anyone cares though, I finally got my dually xeons working

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Dual monitors, unless its video/sound work that will actually make use of teh second cpu

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Monitors. No doubt.