Duals times two!

dq

Member
Aug 20, 2004
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0
Hey folks,

I got 2 * Pentium II's 233Mhz, yes, I know they are extremely ancient now. :)
The question I wanted to ask is, I'm running them in SMP mode, but I wanted to know if the stepping makes a difference. They are not a matched pair, SL264 on one of them and SL2QA on the other..

When running different stepping numbers in parallel or one being an OEM one being a retail, does it make a difference? Windows 2003 Server does recognise it as a Multiprocessor machine but in general does it make a difference? I keep hearing a matched pair is what I need.


Thanks in advance guys.
Any help or advice is much appreciaited.


dq
 

stevty2889

Diamond Member
Dec 13, 2003
7,036
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If windows is recognizing both proccessors, then they will run fine together. My dual P2-266's weren't matched pairs either and they have been running fine together for almost 6 years now.
 

dclive

Elite Member
Oct 23, 2003
5,626
2
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Originally posted by: dq
Hey folks,

I got 2 * Pentium II's 233Mhz, yes, I know they are extremely ancient now. :)
The question I wanted to ask is, I'm running them in SMP mode, but I wanted to know if the stepping makes a difference. They are not a matched pair, SL264 on one of them and SL2QA on the other..

When running different stepping numbers in parallel or one being an OEM one being a retail, does it make a difference? Windows 2003 Server does recognise it as a Multiprocessor machine but in general does it make a difference? I keep hearing a matched pair is what I need.

You wanted matched pairs if at all possible. I suspect your System event log may have a few errors in there about mismatched CPUs if they're that far off.

If it works for you with mismatched CPUs, great. Intel/Microsoft made their suggestions about matching specs for a reason, so I'd suggest it's a good idea to stick to the same or within a stepping or two of the other proc.
 

dq

Member
Aug 20, 2004
50
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0
Quick question guys, just wondering here..
On a SMP box, under system information on windows server 2003, does it say for processor both the processors installed or just one. Mine is showing only one, and its starting to make me belive its running on only one, as one of the processors are really hot, and the other is really cool.

Although, under device manager, for 'Computer' it says: ACPI Multiprocessor PC
and under 'Processors' it trees of to show two icons named: Processor


What ya reckon folks, running on one or both?

We got the heat issue, and under system information it only says processor once..
wereas in device manager, it shows the above..
 

dq

Member
Aug 20, 2004
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Is there any program I can run just to see if both processors are being noticed in windows?
Anything to test if the system is realing running under SMP..?
 

zephyrprime

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,512
2
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Just run two cpu intesive programs and time how they do. Even Excel will a lot of items would work.
 

dq

Member
Aug 20, 2004
50
0
0
and let Excel do what?!

I have a really bad feeling the system is not utilising the second processor.
I just feel it says its there but not using it. Im running a SMP test program and only one of the cpu gets burning hot and the program itself only detects one cpu.

why the hell is windows reporting the system as a multiprocessor then..
i took one of the cpus out and it still says multiprocessor pc but under procesors, only shows one now..
 

Pariah

Elite Member
Apr 16, 2000
7,357
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All you have to do is run task manager. If under the performance tab there are 2 CPU graphs, then SMP is working properly.