Dual processor system users

[Ron Reznick]

... you'll be limited to the on-board graphics or one of the few quality PCI-graphics cards. That board would be very, very expensive and is designed for use in database servers and similar things, not graphics workstations. While it might be worth exploring for a Maya workstation or something along that line, the Xeon is not a good CPU for that sort of thing (although multi-threading with four CPUs would certainly offset the FP limitations to a great extent).

Ron

oh my....

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/story.html?id=1005701405

--Ron Reznick http://digital-images.nethttp://trapagon.com

 

[Owen West63214]

Which graphics card do you recomend for primarily Photoshop use that also supports dual monitors? I only know of several to begin with.
ATI has a few, Matrox has a few, and there's an Elsa that supports two monitors.

As for dual Athlon CPU's vs single, I wonder if the price/performance is worth it dual, considering the performance improvement gained with the hottest single CPU chipset for Athlon, the 266A chipset. I also like the new ABIT mb w/ 266A chipset that supports IDE RAID at the new 133 speed. (and faster memory) than the Tiger dual.

What do you think.

A large number of my clients do similar work to that which I do
(which is one reason why they have me build their systems, I
suppose). I have to tell you that the performance in AutoCAD, 3D
applications, and other digital content creation gained by the use
of the cards mentioned is superior to any of the gaming cards,
primarily because of the optimizations capable of being set in the
drivers or in the applications themselves. There are cracks and
tweaks that can be applied to the gaming cards that enable some
things that improve performance, but a lot of folks don't want to
do that and their time is worth more when working than when
tweaking things. The drivers can also be optimized for Photoshop
work, and the two G-VX1--based systems are set up that way as
delivered by me, with a simple right-click-and-reboot change
necessary to optimize for AutoCAD, MAX, etc. The Synergy III does a
really fine job right out of the box in Photoshop, and you'd be
amazed what can be done with it in AutoCAD, etc. The 2D work it
does in applications like CorelDraw, InDesign, Pshop, Nikon
Capture, etc. is more than sufficient for my standards, and I'm
known to be a tad picky...

Many people would rather work with a card and driver set designed
for professional graphics usage, but I and quite a number of
clients have worked with lesser cards that did a great job as long
as you didn't push them in areas they weren't designed to handle.

The system shown is a little over $4000 worth of parts (three 36GB
10,000rpm drives take up a little over 1/4 of that cost), and for a
working system offers no compromise.

The RAM modules in this workstation shown are hand-selected,
top-grade Mushkin modules with heat-spreaders. I use product from
several different manufacturers, depending on the situation and the
motherboard used -- Mushkin is definitely one of the good ones for
some of those situations. As you know, matching the parts properly
makes one heck of a lot of difference when it comes to cutting edge
gear. It's less of a problem as you back down the curve.

Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

The dual-Athlon 1800+ on Tyan Tiger MP with Corsair Registered
PC2100 (Nanya chips), either 19160 or 29160 SCSI, IBM (solid) or
Seagate (faster) high-speed drives, Plextor opticals, and either 3D
Labs G-VX1 or Elsa Synergy III or Elsa Gloria III makes a blazing
graphics workstation. I just built a couple, one with a G-VX1 and
one with a Synergy III, one with a 19160 and one with a 29160, plus
I also did a single 1800+ 1GB/19160/108GB HDs/G-VX1 and a
1.2GHz/768MB/19160 system. The 1800+ single-CPU really is faster
than just about anything else besides a dual for graphics work.

Here's a look at the single. I'll shoot a picture of one of the
duals tomorrow.



Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

--
Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

--Owen WestClearwater, FL

 

[Owen West63214]

More specifically, I meant the VIA KT266A chipset.

As for dual Athlon CPU's vs single, I wonder if the
price/performance is worth it dual, considering the performance
improvement gained with the hottest single CPU chipset for Athlon,
the 266A chipset. I also like the new ABIT mb w/ 266A chipset that
supports IDE RAID at the new 133 speed. (and faster memory) than
the Tiger dual.

What do you think.

A large number of my clients do similar work to that which I do
(which is one reason why they have me build their systems, I
suppose). I have to tell you that the performance in AutoCAD, 3D
applications, and other digital content creation gained by the use
of the cards mentioned is superior to any of the gaming cards,
primarily because of the optimizations capable of being set in the
drivers or in the applications themselves. There are cracks and
tweaks that can be applied to the gaming cards that enable some
things that improve performance, but a lot of folks don't want to
do that and their time is worth more when working than when
tweaking things. The drivers can also be optimized for Photoshop
work, and the two G-VX1--based systems are set up that way as
delivered by me, with a simple right-click-and-reboot change
necessary to optimize for AutoCAD, MAX, etc. The Synergy III does a
really fine job right out of the box in Photoshop, and you'd be
amazed what can be done with it in AutoCAD, etc. The 2D work it
does in applications like CorelDraw, InDesign, Pshop, Nikon
Capture, etc. is more than sufficient for my standards, and I'm
known to be a tad picky...

Many people would rather work with a card and driver set designed
for professional graphics usage, but I and quite a number of
clients have worked with lesser cards that did a great job as long
as you didn't push them in areas they weren't designed to handle.

The system shown is a little over $4000 worth of parts (three 36GB
10,000rpm drives take up a little over 1/4 of that cost), and for a
working system offers no compromise.

The RAM modules in this workstation shown are hand-selected,
top-grade Mushkin modules with heat-spreaders. I use product from
several different manufacturers, depending on the situation and the
motherboard used -- Mushkin is definitely one of the good ones for
some of those situations. As you know, matching the parts properly
makes one heck of a lot of difference when it comes to cutting edge
gear. It's less of a problem as you back down the curve.

Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

The dual-Athlon 1800+ on Tyan Tiger MP with Corsair Registered
PC2100 (Nanya chips), either 19160 or 29160 SCSI, IBM (solid) or
Seagate (faster) high-speed drives, Plextor opticals, and either 3D
Labs G-VX1 or Elsa Synergy III or Elsa Gloria III makes a blazing
graphics workstation. I just built a couple, one with a G-VX1 and
one with a Synergy III, one with a 19160 and one with a 29160, plus
I also did a single 1800+ 1GB/19160/108GB HDs/G-VX1 and a
1.2GHz/768MB/19160 system. The 1800+ single-CPU really is faster
than just about anything else besides a dual for graphics work.

Here's a look at the single. I'll shoot a picture of one of the
duals tomorrow.



Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

--
Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

--
Owen West
Clearwater, FL

--Owen WestClearwater, FL

 

[Ron Reznick]

This system shown is using the Via KT266a, and the Tiger's AMD chipset uses DDR RAM as does the 266a -- the only thing it requires is that you use Registered ECC RAM if you are planning on using more than two slots. ECC RAM is about 4% slower than non-parity due to the error-checking, but in applications the speed difference is not noticeable. In some conditions, e.g. at altitude, the possibility for memory errors is high enough that even the 266a chipset would benefit from ECC RAM. Registered RAM essentially uses buffers to reduce the capacitance and thereby the loading on the chipset... thus you can use all four slots. Selection of parts-types as well as selection of the parts themselves is, as in any other field, a situation where you need to know the design parameters and how they will be used when you are working with high-performance gear.

For dual-head use in a 2D-only situation with Photoshop as the primary application, the Matrox is a good choice.

Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

Which graphics card do you recomend for primarily Photoshop use
that also supports dual monitors? I only know of several to begin
with.
ATI has a few, Matrox has a few, and there's an Elsa that supports
two monitors.

As for dual Athlon CPU's vs single, I wonder if the
price/performance is worth it dual, considering the performance
improvement gained with the hottest single CPU chipset for Athlon,
the 266A chipset. I also like the new ABIT mb w/ 266A chipset that
supports IDE RAID at the new 133 speed. (and faster memory) than
the Tiger dual.

What do you think.--Ron Reznick http://digital-images.nethttp://trapagon.com

 

[Ron Reznick]

Yes, I figured that.

By the way... the choice of single vs. dual-CPU has to be based on how you multitask as well as whether or not you work with many applications that offer significant advantages if you have a system that can handle multithreaded operations. The multitasking smoothness and file I/O alone is worth it in some situations (it is for me), but then again I also do CAD and some other things that benefit from multithreading. For a Photoshop-only (or primarily) system, the multitasking benefits and improved file I/O may not be worth the extra expense -- Pshop only multithreads certain filters and personally, I rarely use those filters so for my style, if Pshop was the primary application I'd have to think about how much I multitask and whether it was worth the money.

One example of improved multitasking: you are running a batch process in Capture and want to open your email or another program while you are waiting for the batch. With a single-CPU, the processor cycles are 100% used while an image is being loaded or processed, so you have to wait for the program to release some processor cycles (after a save, and before it starts loading the next image) before the OS will start loading the other program. If you are trying to do something in another program that requires CPU time, the same sort of waiting occurs when you are doing something that takes 100% of the CPU cycles. With a dual-CPU system... no waiting. Fire up something and start to work.

Is that time-savings worth the expense to you? Only you can say.

Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

Which graphics card do you recomend for primarily Photoshop use
that also supports dual monitors? I only know of several to begin
with.
ATI has a few, Matrox has a few, and there's an Elsa that supports
two monitors.

As for dual Athlon CPU's vs single, I wonder if the
price/performance is worth it dual, considering the performance
improvement gained with the hottest single CPU chipset for Athlon,
the 266A chipset. I also like the new ABIT mb w/ 266A chipset that
supports IDE RAID at the new 133 speed. (and faster memory) than
the Tiger dual.

What do you think.--Ron Reznick http://digital-images.nethttp://trapagon.com

 

[Ron Reznick]

In case anyone is interested, I took a shot of one of the dual-CPU machines I just built...

http://www.trapagon.com/Computer/DualAthlonClip6110web.jpg--Ron Reznick http://digital-images.nethttp://trapagon.com

 

[Lane Veillon]

I definatly agree with most of your comments and of the others about dual processors, but I believe we were talking about the best system for importing digital images into a workstation and then into some form of editing program I.E. Photoshop! That's the argument I started about the whole dual processor setup...I still feel that in a 2D application a dual processor is a waste. Put the money into RAID or SCSI! That's where everything bottlenecks...At least until they come out with affordable Solid State Hard drives...A higher end video card would also be a better purchase!

Also this statement below is a little backwards...I believe Intel is the one that has always had a 6 month distance from AMD it will be next year(Mid) before AMD moves to their next/best processor. I just wonder if all the current XP boards will be able to handle the new processors. My hat is off to AMD for putting out great competition to Intel. We need that in the PC world!

Another thing that puzzles me is a couple of local PC stores offer trade-in's on boards and processors...In the stacks of boards they have 90% of them are AMD boards! Just a snip I heard the manager say yesterday

Have fun! I am!
Lane

AMD seems to come out and do things a little bit better - albeit, a little bit later.

 

[Owen West63214]

Thanks. I've used dual CPU's before and I do plenty of multi-tasking.

I really am looking for the best graphics card for photoshop (with dual monitors), and perhaps that is a place I can save some money (since I don't need the latest 3D speed).

When I asked about the chipset VS dual, I meant that the performance of the VIA 266A chipset is so good, that maybe I'll get better prive/performance value than with the dual, because the dual systems don't have as hot a chipset. So with dual cpu's, you gain some multi-tasking, but you lose some in chipset performance. AT least now. Any word on new dual CPU mb's with a better chipset?

By the way... the choice of single vs. dual-CPU has to be based on
how you multitask as well as whether or not you work with many
applications that offer significant advantages if you have a system
that can handle multithreaded operations. The multitasking
smoothness and file I/O alone is worth it in some situations (it is
for me), but then again I also do CAD and some other things that
benefit from multithreading. For a Photoshop-only (or primarily)
system, the multitasking benefits and improved file I/O may not be
worth the extra expense -- Pshop only multithreads certain filters
and personally, I rarely use those filters so for my style, if
Pshop was the primary application I'd have to think about how much
I multitask and whether it was worth the money.

One example of improved multitasking: you are running a batch
process in Capture and want to open your email or another program
while you are waiting for the batch. With a single-CPU, the
processor cycles are 100% used while an image is being loaded or
processed, so you have to wait for the program to release some
processor cycles (after a save, and before it starts loading the
next image) before the OS will start loading the other program. If
you are trying to do something in another program that requires CPU
time, the same sort of waiting occurs when you are doing something
that takes 100% of the CPU cycles. With a dual-CPU system... no
waiting. Fire up something and start to work.

Is that time-savings worth the expense to you? Only you can say.

Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

Which graphics card do you recomend for primarily Photoshop use
that also supports dual monitors? I only know of several to begin
with.
ATI has a few, Matrox has a few, and there's an Elsa that supports
two monitors.

As for dual Athlon CPU's vs single, I wonder if the
price/performance is worth it dual, considering the performance
improvement gained with the hottest single CPU chipset for Athlon,
the 266A chipset. I also like the new ABIT mb w/ 266A chipset that
supports IDE RAID at the new 133 speed. (and faster memory) than
the Tiger dual.

What do you think.

--
Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

--Owen WestClearwater, FL

 

[Owen West63214]

Thanks. I've been using Matrox (currently running dual monitors) happiuly for a long time, so maybe I'll stick with them.

The single CPU ABIT mb I like w/ the VIA KT266A chipset requires Registered DDR RAM if you want the maximum memory capacity of 4 GIG, so I'll use registered

For dual-head use in a 2D-only situation with Photoshop as the
primary application, the Matrox is a good choice.

Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

Which graphics card do you recomend for primarily Photoshop use
that also supports dual monitors? I only know of several to begin
with.
ATI has a few, Matrox has a few, and there's an Elsa that supports
two monitors.

As for dual Athlon CPU's vs single, I wonder if the
price/performance is worth it dual, considering the performance
improvement gained with the hottest single CPU chipset for Athlon,
the 266A chipset. I also like the new ABIT mb w/ 266A chipset that
supports IDE RAID at the new 133 speed. (and faster memory) than
the Tiger dual.

What do you think.

--
Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

--Owen WestClearwater, FL

 

[Karl H. Timmerman M.A.J.D.]

I'm running a Tyan Tiger with dual 1600+ XP chips and 1.5gig of ECC DDRam ... the board will not recognize the full two gig, (4 512 chips ... had to use 2 512's and 2 256's). The system is rock solid! and runs PS filters like you would not believe.
Regards
Karl

 

[Ron Reznick]

Registered RAM Karl? YOu can use up to 3GB on that board, but the RAM must be Registered unless you are only going to use two slots.

It is a very solid setup. I have a picture of a dual 1800+ at the bottom of this thread. Quite exceptional...

Ron

I'm running a Tyan Tiger with dual 1600+ XP chips and 1.5gig of ECC
DDRam ... the board will not recognize the full two gig, (4 512
chips ... had to use 2 512's and 2 256's). The system is rock
solid! and runs PS filters like you would not believe.
Regards
Karl

--Ron Reznick http://digital-images.nethttp://trapagon.com

 

[Ron Reznick]

There will be motherboards released sometime in the fairly near future for SMP with the Athlons from Asus and others. We will have to see what their BIOSes offer as far as memory interleaving and other things to goos the performance. I have to tell you that the dual is very, very solid and quite fast as it is -- Tyan opted for a somewhat conservative, fixed setup specifically to lend the system exceptional stability at the expense of that last drop of performance, and they succeeded. The system really is very, very stable. The benchmarks of the Epox 266a exceed those of the Tyan Tiger when tested in single-CPU mode by a few percent, but in actual working performance... I think either system would satisfy anyone -- the system-design decision should be made based on other criteria. If saving money is paramount and you know the advantages gained by a dual and don't especially need them, you will most certainly find the single will still handle the work much faster than you can :^)

Ron

Thanks. I've used dual CPU's before and I do plenty of multi-tasking.
I really am looking for the best graphics card for photoshop (with
dual monitors), and perhaps that is a place I can save some money
(since I don't need the latest 3D speed).

When I asked about the chipset VS dual, I meant that the
performance of the VIA 266A chipset is so good, that maybe I'll get
better prive/performance value than with the dual, because the dual
systems don't have as hot a chipset. So with dual cpu's, you gain
some multi-tasking, but you lose some in chipset performance. AT

least now. Any word on new dual CPU mb's with a better chipset?--Ron Reznick http://digital-images.nethttp://trapagon.com

 

[Ron Reznick]

Four 1GB RAM modules are going to set you back one heck of a lot of dough. Do you really think that is necessary?

Ron

The single CPU ABIT mb I like w/ the VIA KT266A chipset requires
Registered DDR RAM if you want the maximum memory capacity of 4
GIG, so I'll use registered

For dual-head use in a 2D-only situation with Photoshop as the
primary application, the Matrox is a good choice.

Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

Which graphics card do you recomend for primarily Photoshop use
that also supports dual monitors? I only know of several to begin
with.
ATI has a few, Matrox has a few, and there's an Elsa that supports
two monitors.

As for dual Athlon CPU's vs single, I wonder if the
price/performance is worth it dual, considering the performance
improvement gained with the hottest single CPU chipset for Athlon,
the 266A chipset. I also like the new ABIT mb w/ 266A chipset that
supports IDE RAID at the new 133 speed. (and faster memory) than
the Tiger dual.

What do you think.

--
Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

--
Owen West
Clearwater, FL

--Ron Reznick http://digital-images.nethttp://trapagon.com

 

[Ron Reznick]

Lane, AMD has been ahead of Intel in performance for the last year as far as graphics systems are concerned. Yes, I agree that SCSI is more important than dual-CPUs in a graphics station, but if you are planning on SCSI already... and can make use of the extra capabilities of SMP in any applications -- or even just want to multitask in the OS more smoothly and gain the advantages in file I/O it is worth considering.

It is fairly expensive though, and it is not for everyone simply because of cost. Most clients really do need another reason besides the above to go that route -- if there is any CAD or 3D work to be done with the system then it makes a lot more sense.

Ron

Also this statement below is a little backwards...I believe Intel
is the one that has always had a 6 month distance from AMD it will
be next year(Mid) before AMD moves to their next/best processor. I
just wonder if all the current XP boards will be able to handle the
new processors. My hat is off to AMD for putting out great
competition to Intel. We need that in the PC world!

Another thing that puzzles me is a couple of local PC stores offer
trade-in's on boards and processors...In the stacks of boards they
have 90% of them are AMD boards! Just a snip I heard the manager
say yesterday

Have fun! I am!
Lane

AMD seems to come out and do things a little bit better - albeit, a little bit later.

--Ron Reznick http://digital-images.nethttp://trapagon.com

 

[Andrew Pietrzyk]

YOu can use up to 3GB on that board

Ron,

Have you been able to put 3Gb on this board? If so I would be very interested which modules/chips work? Are you using Thunder K7 or Tiger MP boards?

I’ve just built one of those monsters too. Tiger MP board, 2x MP 1500+, 1Gb RAM, runs like a dream but I want little more RAM. I know getting all four memory slots populated can be tricky and Tyan only lists three 512 modules that can do this (Two have the same Samsung chip and one Nanya). Have you had any luck with 1Gb modules?

Andrew

 

[Ron Reznick]

Andrew, I have not put together a system with 3GB yet (no need). Tyan's recommendations for RAM are here:

http://www.tyan.com/support/html/pc2100_tg_mp.html

The RAM modules I've been using on the Tyan MP are Corsair 512MB with Nanya chips -- so far I have not had a need to use 1GB modules as they are not cost-effective for my clients' needs. That is a heck of a lot of RAM, by the way.

Ron

YOu can use up to 3GB on that board

Ron,

Have you been able to put 3Gb on this board? If so I would be very
interested which modules/chips work? Are you using Thunder K7 or
Tiger MP boards?

I’ve just built one of those monsters too. Tiger MP board, 2x
MP 1500+, 1Gb RAM, runs like a dream but I want little more RAM. I
know getting all four memory slots populated can be tricky and Tyan
only lists three 512 modules that can do this (Two have the same
Samsung chip and one Nanya). Have you had any luck with 1Gb modules?

Andrew

--Ron Reznick http://digital-images.nethttp://trapagon.com

 

[James Allen]

Here's a look at the single. I'll shoot a picture of one of the
duals tomorrow.



Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

Have decided to go to a dual processor system which I will build.
Of those of you using dual processor systems which motherboards and
processors, intel or AMD do you feel are the best today. I am
currently leaning to the AMD processors and a tyan board but before
placing my order I would like to check with you that are
experienced with dual processing systems.

I use a Tyan Tiger with two 1.2Ghz AthlonMP chips and 768MB of
Crucial PC2100 DDR-RAM, an Adaptec 19160 Ultra160 controller with
an IBM 18.2GB 10.000 Rpm drive for the system partition and 4 x
40GB IDE100 IBM 7200 Rpm drives for data. For display, I use a
trusty old Asus GeForce 256, which is soon to be replaced with a
Quaddo DCC card (workstation graphics).

My use is primarily graphics-oriented software such as high-end 3D
software (XSI, Maya and so forth) and ofcourse a lot of Photoshop.
I'm going to upgrade the CPUs to the latest AthlonMP 1900+ chips,
or perhaps the new AthlonMP 2000+ chips coming out soon.

Even at 1.2Ghz, this system smokes. You would want no less than
1.2Ghz chips, but they will work extremely well for you. I used the
Tyan Thunder board too, but the proprietary power-supply (PSU) from
NMB was simply too loud for my taste.

I use a custom built noise-reduced case with NoiseControl (tm)
frames (a rubber-web holds each harddrive preventing resonance from
spreading). Make sure you get some good coolers. I recommend the
Molex Radial Fin (oversize - with solid cobber-core) heatsinks,
which cool well and are extremely silent for what they do (24db).

If you go for 7200Rpm data-drives, make sure you provide some kind
of internal fan, circulating the air away from the harddrives. This
mostly apply if you're using dampening material in your case, which
is highly recommended.

Any questions? =o)
--
--
with regards
anders lundholm · [email protected]
the sphereworx / monoliner experience

--
Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

--Just a poor old southern country boy trying to get by...

 

[Roy]

Ron,
Where is a good on-line place to get these chips in the 512 version?

So far I am with the Tyan MP and two 1600+ processors, Volcano 6 cooling units. All r items needed are nailed down and ordered except ram.

Thanks to All
Roy

http://www.tyan.com/support/html/pc2100_tg_mp.html

The RAM modules I've been using on the Tyan MP are Corsair 512MB
with Nanya chips -- so far I have not had a need to use 1GB modules
as they are not cost-effective for my clients' needs. That is a
heck of a lot of RAM, by the way.

Ron

YOu can use up to 3GB on that board

Ron,

Have you been able to put 3Gb on this board? If so I would be very
interested which modules/chips work? Are you using Thunder K7 or
Tiger MP boards?

I’ve just built one of those monsters too. Tiger MP board, 2x
MP 1500+, 1Gb RAM, runs like a dream but I want little more RAM. I
know getting all four memory slots populated can be tricky and Tyan
only lists three 512 modules that can do this (Two have the same
Samsung chip and one Nanya). Have you had any luck with 1Gb modules?

Andrew

--
Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

 

[Roy]

Sorry, I mean where to get the CORSAIR Ram in 512 version.

Thanks to All
Roy

http://www.tyan.com/support/html/pc2100_tg_mp.html

The RAM modules I've been using on the Tyan MP are Corsair 512MB
with Nanya chips -- so far I have not had a need to use 1GB modules
as they are not cost-effective for my clients' needs. That is a
heck of a lot of RAM, by the way.

Ron

YOu can use up to 3GB on that board

Ron,

Have you been able to put 3Gb on this board? If so I would be very
interested which modules/chips work? Are you using Thunder K7 or
Tiger MP boards?

I’ve just built one of those monsters too. Tiger MP board, 2x
MP 1500+, 1Gb RAM, runs like a dream but I want little more RAM. I
know getting all four memory slots populated can be tricky and Tyan
only lists three 512 modules that can do this (Two have the same
Samsung chip and one Nanya). Have you had any luck with 1Gb modules?

Andrew

--
Ron Reznick
http://digital-images.net
http://trapagon.com

 

[Lane Veillon]

I in no way said that Intel was the king you did!!! You seem to be doing a lot of defending on AMD's part...Don't know why...All I did was voice my opinion of why I didn't think that dual processors fit into a photoshop environment...YET!!! P4 Duals will be soon probably around the same time AMD catches up You in no way can build a Gaming computer and it be the same as a system designed around Photoshop or other 2D applications. Just keep on reading all those reviews and believe what others Tell you...I found out from $$ out of my own pocket...All I know is that the phone calls that I was getting for Downed AMD systems have gone away! But this isn't a PC debate arena so back to digital !
Lane

Intel Pentium is THE BEST! Totally stable!!!

I've head that sentence a lot lately. It used to be my mantra a
while ago.

If You're indicating, that Intel is still the king, you're wrong.
They're the fastest in some areas of computing (actually, the only
area is Photoshop graphics, if I remember and some game stuff).
AMDs FPU performance (which is also critical in Photoshop and
enterprise software used on servers plus workstation graphics
software), is vastly superiour. FPU performance has always been a
very important issue for AMD chips and you can see it from
performance.

I used to be an all Intel man, because of stability problems with
the AMD chips. Gone are those days I tell you, and only old AMD
chips exhibit instability. Very often, the instability was caused
by the (excuse me) lame motherboards offered by the low-end market.

Today, the scene is different. AMDs AthlonMP 1900+ chips are by far
the fastest for 95% of the applications out there. Even office
apps. They approx. 50% the price of a similar rated Intel CPU in
denmark at the moment, yielding a high cost-saving when building a
dual system.

Oh, I forgot - the P4 doesn't go in duals yet. Sorry people.

Regarding stability, I must say that the Tyan Thunder/Tiger
motherboards never let me down. I have been running killer tests on
both systems for weeks (SETI, RC5, network rendering .. photoshop
work .. at the same time) and never, never, never ever got a blue
screen, reboot or crash. Never.

My good old dual PII 350Mhz on a Intel BX440 motherboard could
never have done that.

If you stick with motherboards built around AMDs north/southbridges
(the AMD760MP/MPX chipset and the AMD766 southbridge), like the
boards frmo Tyan, you'll get a cutting-edge rocksolid system.

Trust me on this, okay? AMDs only drawback is that they run hotter
than the quivalent Intel chips. Who cares? Get a pair of low-noise
heatsinks like the Molex Radial Fins - or the Noise Control
Silverrado ones.

anyone can show me a total savings of $75-$100 I will retract my
statements(for whatever that's worth) A big thing is that Intel has
already gone to a 0.13 micron processor where AMD won't until later
this year...This easily brings Intel into 3.0 ghz
processors...

Yes, that's right. And when they do, they'll hit 3Ghz too some day.
Then Intels buys a new manufactoring process from IBM and hits
5Ghz, then AMD follows.

If you keep looking at the future, you'll nevet get anywhere today.
Buy what suites you right now, and in the next 3 months. In 3 to 6
months, your gear is only worth a fraction of the initial costs.

I bought the 1.2Ghz MP chips because they were the fastest out
there at that time. Around new years eve, I'll upgrade my 1.2Ghz
chips to the new 1.6Ghz AthlonMP chips, yielding about a 35% speed
increase. I get two chips at the price of one P4 chip. Each chip is
equal to or faster than the P4.

You do the math. I am pro AMD because they have leaped Intel on
quality, speed and price. I am con Intel, because of their high
prices, that's it.
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with regards
anders lundholm · [email protected]
the sphereworx / monoliner experience