Registered: Jul 2001
Location: ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha
Posts: 185

Since I'm thinking of making an industrial-grade comp, I'd like to have an idea of what kind of dual-processor board to use. Maybe my biggest question is whether to go the Intel or AMD route, since they are virtually equivalent in terms of processing power. And even if I don't use it for its intended purpose, at least I'll have it for bragging rights, right?

Anyways, I've looked at the AMD side of the fence, and I'm fairly well set on a Tyan Tiger MP S2460 from [url=http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?EDC=322579]here[/url]. Estimated price: $270.

As for Intel, I'm not too sure because I didn't think their processors worked well with DDR ram (which I'd like to implement). Anyways, for non-DDR, I'm looking at the [url=http://www.cdw.com/shop/products/default.asp?EDC=358721]Tyan Tiger 200T (S2505T)[/url] ($260). And since I can't find a respectably priced socket 370/423/478 dual proc DDR mobo, I'll pass temporarily.

Processors will come later when I decide what'll be the heart of my dream machine. But at the moment, it's looking definitely like a dual Athlon XP rig.

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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: The Cold Northland!
Posts: 8392

Dual Althlons is probably cheaper which is crucial because your buying two. I haven't heard much either way....should work.

Get XP Professional then...because you'll get dual processor support (or 2000 really).

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Denmark
Posts: 3

I would chose the AMD route...


Dunno

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location: Portsmouth, England
Posts: 41

I Have allways found AMD to proform better than intel

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Registered: Sep 2001
Location: Northam, W.A. Australia
Posts: 235

When shopping for a dual AMD board make sure that the onboards USB ports are functional. The latest revision of AMDs dual chipset, the 760MXP, has a bug which prevents the ports from working. Most manufacturers supply a dual port USB2.0 card but that eats a PCI slot. EpoX' M762A dual Athlon board apparently has USB ports that work and maintains the standard complement of 3 32-bit PCI slots.

Also you need to use AthlonMP chips rather than the cheaper XP variety. XPs (by closing one of the bridges on the chip, just like unlocking the multiplier) can be made to work but are said to unreliable.

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Somewhere
Posts: 2894

There's a way to re-unlock the AthlonXPs to MP mode, as LSD points out, however keep in mind it's NOT guaranteed. I can dig up links if you're interested.

If you want 100% guaranteed-to-work dual-processor, get the MPs ... if you have a friend in the industry or an obscenely friendly RMA policy, you *might* be able to get away with the XPs

Best case, test 'em before buying them. Unfortunately that's pretty rare.

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