Dual Processor Pentium Pro Question

[smadavid]

I've got my hands on an IBM Pentium Pro workstation (complete with 256MB of RAM). It is dual processor capable, and I'd like to add the second processor. My question: Do the processors have to be matched beyond L2 cache size? Do they have to be the same stepping? I don't want to purchase one and find out that it won't work with the processor I already have.

Thanks,
David

 

[WarpSpeed]

I don't think that you have to match steppings or even Intel-rated speeds with Pentium Pro's, though you probably do have to match L2 cache size. 180's seem to run comfortably at 200, some at 233. Dual Pro's will make a good server, especially if you use Linux.

 

[pm]

Intel recommends that you match steppings on dual processor systems. This is not always strictly necessary, but it is definitely recommended. Newer steppings generally fix older SMP errata and you definitely want both processors either making the same mistake, or both fixed. You definitely do not want one processor which fixs a certain (typically very rare) problem and the other not fixed since this can lead to instability and data corruption.

Patrick Mahoney
IA64 Microprocessor Design
Intel Corp.
pmahoney@mipos2.intel.com

* Not speaking for Intel Corp. *

Edit: One more thing I should mention is that Intel quality/reliability testing labs only tests SMP systems with matching stepping parts.