Why aren't there any good dual CPU boards out?

PremiumG

Platinum Member
Jun 4, 2001
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How come there aren't any more good dual CPU boards out? I'm not talking about like $300 mobos, but like good but regular priced ones.

I missed the days of the BP6 and VP6. I had a VP6 for like 3-4 years before I finally decided to upgrade. Even now, a VP6 paired with dual 1 gig CPU's and PC150 RAM isn't too shabby. Dual boards seem to last way longer than single CPU boards to me.

:(

 

Pariah

Elite Member
Apr 16, 2000
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Because there are no more mainstream SMP CPU's any more. Enterprise CPU's only get enterprise motherboards.
 

mrweirdo

Senior member
Dec 1, 2002
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Just a thought to add but if you notice this is kind of the way with most cpus there are a limited few dual cpu boards for mainstream processors. Then most of them that are out there dont have things like agp ports etc. Simply because dual cpu is something that is though as being used in server enviroments. So your not to likely to see many mainstream boards like that around.
 

Wolfsraider

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2002
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asus pcdl albet not perfect does merge the line better than most and at just over 200.00 us not a bad price either

seen here

discussed here

iwill is also coming out with one but projected price is believed to be about 360.00us

mike
 

gsellis

Diamond Member
Dec 4, 2003
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Ditto - ASUS PC-DL Deluxe. Market rate with 2 2.66 Xeons and Mobo is just under $800.
 

Brian48

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
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Where I work, as well as my previous job, the trend is to move away from multi-processor environments. In addition to IT consultating and software development, we do from time to time provide the hardware to our customers as well.

The main issue from the customer side is the licensing of the software. Multiple CPUs mean multiple licenses. This can QUICKLY drive up the cost of any project. In a recent project where we had one customer who resisted upgrading their hardware, we had to get:

1. Two licenses for Windows 2000 server
2. Two licenses each for 4 additional 3rd party utilities (ie. Symantec pcAnywhere, Norton Antivirus, Winzip, Persist)
3. Two licenses for MSQL Server + developer kit
3. Two licenses for the home grown Web application they purchased from us

Without giving away numbers, let's just say the total cost EXCEEDED what they would have paid if they had simply gone with a new server using ONE fast CPU and only ONE license for all the necessary software.
 

JOHNGALT99

Senior member
Mar 26, 2001
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why do you need two licenses for running a dual cpu system?

just wondering cause it seems odd
 

Eug

Lifer
Mar 11, 2000
24,047
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Originally posted by: JOHNGALT99
why do you need two licenses for running a dual cpu system?
Depends on the software. It's common with server side software.
 

Brian48

Diamond Member
Oct 15, 1999
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Yes, it's very common. In business/sales, a "machine" is generally defined as one processor. Two processors = two machines. Three processors = three machines. You thereby need a license for each "machine", even though it may all reside on the same motherboard.

Thankfully, individual processors are powerful enough these days that you don't necessarily need a dualie for your server. Back to the original question of why there aren't any good dual-CPU boards anymore? Given the reasons, the demand has gone way down and is slowly dying out.