RDRAM questions, Dual CPU setup q's ...

[BigLance]

Hey guys !
Nice to be a part of the board.
Have fallen slightly behind the computer world- off conquering car audio !! hehe !
Anyway, I have a few questions for you all.

I see you guys are not fond of RDRAM, but DDR costs more right now and isn't really availible on many boards yet. But I have a question anyhoo, I know you need a "terminator" chip along with the memory module in an RDRAM board if there is open slots but do you need one if say there is two memory slots and both have memory sticks in them ? I mean will that work, or do you have to leave one empty- it wouldn't make sence but its nice to know for sure.... Also, is there any real performance differences from PC600 to PC800, I'm talking upper P3 class here BTW... Don't have cash for P4 yet (To expensive, too new!)

I have always wanted a dual CPU system. But only NT technology supports it, is the upcoming Whistler OS going to support dual proc's ?? Is going the dual CPU way a valid idea, I understand that the OS and software must support it but isn't it true that applications will still choose a CPU to run totally off of if you have an NT type OS installed. I'm a little confused... let me know what you guys think about dual setups !!

Well thats it for now
Thank you very much for your time and help.

 

[AndyHui]

As long as all RDRAM slots are filled with "something", then it should be fine. An RDRAM system cannot have any open slots, that's why you may need CRIMMs (terminators).

PC800 RDRAM is significantly faster than PC600, and makes a very big difference to performance, more so than the difference between PC100 and PC133 SDRAM.

In most cases however, I think you will find that an i815E setup with PC133 SDRAM will perform on par with an i820/i840 RDRAM system.

Depending on what you are doing, the benefits of dual CPUs may not be for you.

What's wrong with using Windows 2000? It's perfectly fine for most things, supports dual CPUs.....you don't need to wait for Whistler.

 

[Czar]

I suggest you either wait or stick with SDRAM, you will so be flamed when we have the next specfest here on the forums

 

[Czar]

<< , I know you need a &quot;terminator&quot; chip along with the memory module in an RDRAM board if there is open slots but do you need one if say there is two memory slots and both have memory sticks in them ? I mean will that work, or do you have to leave one empty- >>


Putting two chips there is fine. If you have a dualbus motherboard then you will &quot;have&quot; to have two chips there, meaning to get 128meg you would have to have two 64meg chips, if you want to upgrade your memory you would have to sell those chips and get two 128meg chips.



<< I have always wanted a dual CPU system. But only NT technology supports it, is the upcoming Whistler OS going to support dual proc's ?? Is going the dual CPU way a valid idea, I understand that the OS and software must support it but isn't it true that applications will still choose a CPU to run totally off of if you have an NT type OS installed. I'm a little confused... let me know what you guys think about dual setups !! >>


Ahh, a penis envy thing, I seee now Anyway if you have two processors or one processor, doesnt matter, Win2000 is allways the best OS. Win2000 is based on the WinNT kernel, and so will Whistler. With only the OS supporting dual proc, no programs that you run do, then a dual proc sollution will only enhance your multitasking because then each cpu would do different things. Very few programs actually support dual processors and even fewer support it fully.

You will be faaaar better of with a P3 or Athlon system with SDRAM than a P3 system with RDRAM. DDRAM is much better than RDRAM in nearly all ways, 16bit VS. 64bit, Serial VS. Paralell, high latency VS. low latency. My suggestion is either buy a P3 or Athlon with SDRAM or wait a few weeks untill DDRAM becomes cheaper. Do NOT buy RDRAM.

 

[HellRaven]

I definately agree, go SDRAM if you need a system right away or wait for DDR solutions for Athlon/P4 early-middle next year.

If I were building a duel proc system today I would go with a via 133 based duel processor motherboard. Load up on 256-512mb of pc133 SDRAM and pop in a few P3 700's and OC it or get a couple 933's if not overclocking.

I think at this stage duel processors are just a waste unless you are building a server, doing video editing, or other such CPU intesive tasks. Win2k is not that great at spreading the load with duel processors when compared to some Linux builds or BEos and of course most applications won't take full advantage of both processors anyway.

 

[BigLance]

Well I have an ABIT KA7 and 128mb Micron PC133 but I am possible selling that stuff and my Athlon to a friend, I am thinking of going back to Intel and was considering RDRAM and Dual CPU's. So what I'm saying is I'm not hurting for a new machine, if he doesn't buy it its still real fast.... But it could be better HEHE !!

I have Win2000 but could never get it to succsesfully install along side of 98 se. Sucks !!!

Ok, well thanks guys, oh, any idea when DDR SDRAM prices will start to come down ???

Thanks again !!