Dual AMDs (EQ Mag computer)

  • Thread starter Thread starter mastahnke
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mastahnke

mastahnke

Linux Man...
Ok, so I built that system from EQ mag (Dual AMD MPs, gig RAM, dual monitors, the works) I want to know how I tell that both processors are working and stuff. When I go to the win control panel->system->HW->device manager I see two processors listed. The little graph of CPU usage though is only one graph. Is that a composite? (I am using XP Pro btw). The computer seems really quick and audio processing has been great, but I just want to be sure I am getting max Horse Power out of the system. Are there any utils that give performance stats, or any thing in windows I am unaware of?

--MIKE
 
I'm running Win2k with dual Athlon MPs and if I hit ctrl+alt+delete and click the performance tab on the task manager I can see the usage of both CPUs. It may be different in XP, but I didn't do anything special to get this to appear. Hope this helps :)
 
Is there a link for this article or can you post your general setup?
 
I'll be building a new DAW within the next 2 months when my studio is more or less completed. I'm seriously considering the system you mentioned from EQ mag. I don't really "need" the dual processor at the moment but I want the ability to quickly upgrade if needed. I would probably start with a single processor and install the second after prices start heading south. Of course, that's if I feel I really need the second processor. Straight and upfront - what benefits have you seen with dual processors? I'm assuming the ability to handle more tracks with a heavy load of effects, etc. Which AMD processors did you end up using?

DD
 
As far as a link for the setup, I don't have one. I looked for one a while ago, but then just decided to go buy that EQ magazine.

I am using dual Athlon MP 1800+. The computer flies, I haven't taxed it too heavily on audio yet. I have done 24 tracks with a porbaby 12-15 plugins running, and had no problems. According to the magazine (or my calculations, I don't remember which) I should be able to get about 80 tracks with 2-3 plugins on each track. I wanted the ability for 48 tracks with any comination of plugins. I think I have that. The computer is a little loud though. I got the case they have on the cover of EQ, it has one HUGE fan and then two smaller ones. Plus there are two processor fans, a vid card and a PSU fan. the PSU is the loudest so I might buy the enermax one recomended in EQ. Anyway, I can't tell you too much about the benefits of dual processors because I am new to it. I bet they are better than one though;)
 
So I have to ask, what did it cost you?

I haven't seen the EQ magazine, but I'm going to make the Jump from recording on a pair of Tascam DA-38's, to building a PC (we were looking at a Pentium IV....hell, I still haven't even figured out how I want to get all the mic signals into the PC yet, I need at least 16 at once, and would prefer to be able to do 24 channels live...once it's in the PC, I'd only need outputes for a few Cue Mixes, and monitoring.

I'm completely new to this...I've toyed around with recording on the PC, but I haven't really done anything seriously on my own....I did some protools recording once, and I thought it was great...but I don't have $10-$20K to get the latest Protools setup.

I had just intended to use Windows 98.....I haven't even looked at any of the new Windows platforms....but your shooting for 48 tracks with several plugins per track sounds about like what I'm after.


Tim
 
Cost is an issue:

2 Kingston PC2100 DDR ECC RAM ($153 each shipped)
1 Tyan S2460 Mobo ($167 Shipped)
2 AMD Athlon MP 1800+ ($135 Each shipped)
1 Rackmount case ($80 Shipped)
1 MSI-G4MX Dual Head Video Card ($90 shipped)
2 Hansol 19" Monitors ($180 Each Shipped)
1 Lite-On 48x12x40 burner(black) (63$ Shipped)
2 Removable hd bays ($15 each shipped)

I already had a mouse, keyboard etc. My sound card is a MOTU 2408 which allows for 24 inputs at one if you utilize right. ($800)

Since you already have two Tascam units, you could use those and the 8 analog inputs on a 2408 and have 24 live inputs right there.

You have to use Windows 2000 or XP Pro to utilize dual processors.

YOu probably would need to buy some software. I already owned the stuff I was using, so that didn't factor in on cost either.

--MIKE
 
I'll be building a new DAW within the next 2 months when my studio is more or less completed. I'm seriously considering the system you mentioned from EQ mag. I don't really "need" the dual processor at the moment but I want the ability to quickly upgrade if needed. I would probably start with a single processor and install the second after prices start heading south. Of course, that's if I feel I really need the second processor. Straight and upfront - what benefits have you seen with dual processors? I'm assuming the ability to handle more tracks with a heavy load of effects, etc. Which AMD processors did you end up using?
Click to expand...


Is that possible? Having a dual processor board, and only having one cpu? Leaving the one cpu socket empty.
 
Yes, but not really recomended. Dual Processor boards cost more, and use more expensive parts also. Plus, if the processors come from the same batch at the plant they are said to play together better. Though that was intel, AMD might be a bit more leanient.
 
I'm running dual AMDs with XP pro. I get 2 graphs - one for each CPU.
 
You get two graphs!!!! Ahhh!! Am I doing something wrong? How do you get two graphs? Ctrl Alt Delete-> performance?

I am getting worried...

MIKE
 
Nevermind, I think I get two graphs also. It just has one percentage on teh side. There are two graphs though...whew. I thought I had a bum chip. I didn't see the little divider in there last time. Thanks!

EQ, August I think.... IT's the cover story.
 
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