Evaluating dual processor benefits one more time.

[mcmatty]

OK. I have read reports about how most applications don't take advantage of dual processors. Quite frankly, I don't care. I often run programs like matlab and a half a dozen other applications at the same time. When Matlab is cranking away on some problem my computer slows to a crawl. Here are the questions.

1. Multiprocessors will correct this right?

2. Would it be better to buy a really good single processor system and turn down the priority on applications that need tons of CPU but would not mind if it finished a minute later?

3. Any experience with ASUS a7m266-d?


Thanks for everybody's help.

Matt

 

[Uuplaku]

<< OK. I have read reports about how most applications don't take advantage of dual processors. Quite frankly, I don't care. I often run programs like matlab and a half a dozen other applications at the same time. When Matlab is cranking away on some problem my computer slows to a crawl. Here are the questions.

1. Multiprocessors will correct this right? >>



Depends on if Matlab is multithreaded or not. If its not, then yes, it will get an entire cpu to fill its ego. If its multi-threaded, it'll get spread across both cpus, but generally theproblem will be fixed.



<< 2. Would it be better to buy a really good single processor system and turn down the priority on applications that need tons of CPU but would not mind if it finished a minute later? >>



Probably not. Unless you're superbly good with Windows, turning down priority is going to be pretty hard. You'd be better off with dualies for the type of stuff you're doing.



<< 3. Any experience with ASUS a7m266-d? >>



Well, since those boards arent widely available commercially, most people wont have experience with it. But, based on what I've seen, it'd be best to go with a board like the TigerMP of TigerMPX. The ASUS board is super-fast and overclockable, but is known for have some stability issues. It makes a great enthusiast's board, but for mission-critical stuff its really not a good choice.

 

[mcmatty]

Even if a program is not multi-threaded and is cranking away on some problem, won't the other CPU handle other programs automatically?

Turning down a priority on a process is as easy as right clicking the process in the task manager.

 

[mcmatty]

Ignore previous message. I just reread your reply and missed something.

 

[Scootin159]

<< Even if a program is not multi-threaded and is cranking away on some problem, won't the other CPU handle other programs automatically?

Turning down a priority on a process is as easy as right clicking the process in the task manager. >>



If a process is multi-threaded properly it will use up 100% of BOTH cpu's
If a process is NOT multi-threaded it will use up 100% of ONE CPU, and all other apps will be switched by the OS to the 2nd CPU.

From the comments you've been making it sounds like that is what you wanted, and it's what you get from a dual-CPU setup .