Symmetric Multiprocessing

Neo · Post by **Neo** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:20 am

When is it necessary to use SMP on a PC, and when is it unnecessary?

fliptw · Post by **fliptw** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:33 am

Its totally unnecessary to use SMP when you are running DOS, or Win9x.

beyond that, if you could afford it, go for it.

Avder · Post by **Avder** » Tue Jul 27, 2004 8:22 pm

Its never nessecary. However, it does have its advantages provide the programs you use are written to take advantage of two processors. DOS and Win9x can absolutely not take advantage of SMP, however.

BUBBALOU · Post by **BUBBALOU** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 6:17 am

SMP Programs

Photoshop 6/7/CS
3DStudio Max 3/4/5/6
Adobe Premeire/After effects

just to name a few

These all have Dual Processor support(NT/Win2k/XP Pro), it is nice that they also support a Dual Process CPU(HT), but it's not worth it.

I wouldn't be surprised if DIII will follow the likes of QIII and provide SMP

SMP platforms include Intel's Xeon, ItaniumI/II, AMD's Opteron, and AMD64 processors

Tetrad · Post by **Tetrad** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:29 am

SMP is also quite good for multitasking. Sure there are a few programs that are faster with SMP, but for the most part the gain is very niche and very minimal. It's much more impressive to say that I can encode two movies at the same time, for example.

MD-2389 · Post by **MD-2389** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 1:39 pm

Bubba: You forgot to list the Athlon MP.

STRESSTEST · Post by **STRESSTEST** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 9:38 pm

MD-2389 wrote:Bubba: You forgot to list the Athlon MP.

modified XPs as well, P2's and P3's PPros etc...
so what, he said: "include" meaning a cross-section of what is available. Not a statement meant to be all inclusive.

BUBBALOU · Post by **BUBBALOU** » Wed Jul 28, 2004 10:03 pm

I was just generalizing with a list of the current offerings, not the ebay categories