Dual Processors and max

[BrandonD]

Dual proc systems are cheaper than two singles, that's been reason enough to get one. On top of that, with a dual proc system you'll see about a 90% speed increase with rendering and other areas. For viewport interactivity though, a single with a good video card will perform just as well as a dual.

[sireel]

Windows XP and the Pentium 3.06 and higher (I think) supports Hyper threading which is a virtual dual cpu. From what I hear you can get very much the same performance boost through it as getting a true dual CPU and this would also give you fewer points of failure.
As I understand it Windows 2k and XP say they support SMP (Symetric multi processors) but you only really see a 30-40% performance increase. Its not 1 CPU = 100%, 2 CPU = 200%.
Hyperthreading offers the same performnce increase (at least according to the papers I've read).
My big question is what kind of performance increas one would get if they have a dual 3.06 machine with hyperthreading enabled... whould you get 4 virtual CPUs?

[zicher]

Based on the use of the 2nd processor by max, I would suggest to go with 1 faster process if you do a lot of modeling, and dual processor if you do a lot of rendering.
If you have a very good accelerated video card (supported by max), then go with dual processor also for modeling.

[dvornik]

Like everyone said 3 Ghz is better for modelling and slower for rendering than dual 2.4. You may want to network render to your old PC to make up the difference.

[Jon_Pran]

As far as I understand it, hyperthreading is only good in certain situations. Programs such as Max utilize multi processor machines and can therefore capitalize on the additional processor.
Also, if I recall correctly, the newer Xeon chips have hyperthreading, too (you can't get dual P4s, they're different chips - Xeons). Could be wrong, but that's what I've read.
But the posts above are correct, modeling won't use the potential of 2 processors and rendering will.

[gnarlycranium]

No fancy P4s or whatever here... just dual PIIIs... and it's great while rendering, but that is the ONLY time I see the comp use both processors to full power. The rest of the time it essentially only uses one. So I guess the question is, do you want a faster computer overall, or is the rendering time the spot where you really need that extra punch?

[gaggle]

For what it's worth, today I'd go for a single processor machine and spend the money on a proper dual-monitor setup, and then relying on network-rendering for..well..rendering.

Obviously I'm happy having both, but I'm just sayin' here, that I feel I get more mileage out of the extra monitor, than I do the processor. As Gnarly says, most of the time the 2ndary processor is essentially just idling.

..though I have got to say, it does kick a bit of ass setting up a render, or compiling a level, or whatever-have-you, and then force it to use only the 2nd cpu, and thus be free to fire up a game or continue working or whatever.

Oh, and with Brazil and the next finalRender (and PRMan, Mental Ray, etc) distributed single-frame rendering is already implemented, so using that you can even have a single frame rendered out across the network. That's usually one of the few good things about a dual-CPU machine, that it renders everything out faster, whereas a networked rendering will only render out an animation faster.
I heard of a script once made to offer that ability for the good ol' MAX scanline, I.. don't know what happened to it. Would be neat to have...

[KiboOst]

One thing that hasn't been said is the real multisession of duals machines. I work on duals for years now, and often got two or three max session, one rendering, one for my scene, and sometimes another one for modeling/looking object before merging them. This with photoshop also launched for maps, and sometimes premiere and/or combustion. And this is only possible with duals ! We had a P4 2.2 at work, and once you have start a max rendering, adios amigos, go for a cafe, the machine is rendering ! I would never oh never buy a mono proc at all.
Hyperthreading ? Ahah nice ! Just imagine a dual hyperthreded (4proc then ?) This isn't an argument for mono, but one more for duals !

Kib

[lragno]

Well, I'll also be running Combustion, which I believe really responds well with dual procs.

can anybody confirm this?

[googlo]

I read also read that Intel said it's fine to have a dual computer setup running only with one physical processor (i.e. you can add the other processor on later.).
Anyone know about this?

[dvornik]

You can obviously, it doesn't make much sense financially, considering how fast processor speeds increase.

[Joel Hooks]

"I read also read that Intel said it's fine to have a dual computer setup running only with one physical processor (i.e. you can add the other processor on later.).
Anyone know about this?"

There is problems with CPUs that don't match. Even of the same speed/brand but different production times.

Dual CPUs is totally superior to a single CPU. Combined with SCSI harddrives it makes for a very powerful multitasking environment.

[googlo]

Yeah I know, I've read that too, but in an article I read awhile back, the author said that despite that, Intel said that you can mix their processors, even with different steps. The author made it sound like it was a bad idea but that Intel was saying that it was ok to do.

[Joel Hooks]

I've tried it before and it didn't function properly. I had speed and stability issues across the board. This was with 800mhz p3s, so maybe it is different now - but that was my experience.

[dvornik]

Personally I think for a home machine dual cpu and scsi value is somewhat questionable. If you can buy a machine like that every year - year and a half then it's OK. But otherwise you're forced to wait too long to upgrade your system cause they are too expensive.

[Ticonderoga]

I have also used dual CPU system for quite some time already. Back in the days when CPU speed did not rise too quickly it was really a great idea. Now I am still using a dual CPU system, and I must agree that the biggest benefit is the ability to operate multiple programs, just as KiboOst stated (2 3ds + PShop + Premiere!); this really speed up your workflow.

Unfortunately, dual CPU is not so attractive for home users now, because Pentium 4 does not support dual processing :annoyed: . Either Xeon or Athlon may be the choice, but last time I checked the prices of dual Athlon motherboards, this was still not a good bargain.

[Jon_Pran]

Damn, I hope there isn't a problem with compatibility buying a second chip later on. I bought a refurbished Dell with a 2.2 Xeon and wanted to upgrade later when the prices went down (soon, I've had it for a while). According to Dell, it's not a problem and they'd walk me through the installation (if you guys haven't dealt with their professional tech support, it's really awesome - no waiting on hold and they'll walk you through anything, even installing purchases from Best Buy).
It was a really good deal at the time, about $800 less than a comparable new system (they've also got some sweet promotions every few months). It was all in plastic and spotless, sealed parts, etc., immaculate. I would buy another in a heart beat.
I'll post something if I get anyproblems.

[Joel Hooks]

Jon, you just have to score 2 chips. If you buy just one, and have problems, then you have two single chips and still no dual.

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