Processors --> dual vs. single

  • Thread starter Thread starter macros4
  • Start date Start date

2 vs 1

  • 2X PIII

    Votes: 2 18.2%

  • 1X P4

    Votes: 9 81.8%
  • Total voters
    11
M

macros4

New member
I'm considering building a dedicated audio computer: 1u rackmount for portable recording; is it better to go 2X PIII or 1X P4? Here's my intended system otherwise if it makes a difference:

Hardware:
> 1u rack chassis
> processor(s) w/ appropriate motherboard
> 1 GB DDRAM
> Delta 1010 (also up for debate if u have suggestions otherwise)

Software:
> Win 2000 (XP? 98?)
> Sound Forge 5.0
> some multitrack software (haven't decided yet)

Thanks for ur input!
 
If your choise is 2xPIII or 1x P4, then P4 is the best answer. PIII has had its time, and the newer motherboards and specially ram will make the P4 the better one. There is no ddr for the PIII. Also the PIII's with the most power are not exactly cheap!

If on the other hand you have the money, consider a dual Xeon solution or a dual amd solution. But the latter is also getting a bit dated.

If you go for a dual, only W2K or XP Pro are usable as is any for of linux. W98 is out of the question IMHO for any serious application.

Don't know if a 1HU is usable for what you want to do (usable yes, but not practical). Most 1hu chassis are for server applications, so they do not need pci cards. Also they need heavy duty cooling so they make a lot of noise which does not matter for a server but for audio it does. It will also restrict your choise of motherboard. Not that many are 1hu compatible (you ned angled dimm sockets) and they are always sever boards having integrated video, lots of them including scsi and dual ethernet. A more standard 4hu will be a more sensible option.
 
I would definitely say dual Athlon MP, if dual is what you want to do.
 
I'll go with P4. And the OS should be Win XP Professional. The Home edition doesn't support dual proc...

;)
 
thanks for all ur input
havoc: 1u is ideal because i need to carry it around with me; would 2u solve those problems - i might make that compromise (though its a lot heavier)?
 
macros4 said:
thanks for all ur input
havoc: 1u is ideal because i need to carry it around with me; would 2u solve those problems - i might make that compromise (though its a lot heavier)?
Click to expand...

Recently I've been doing some measurements to see if I could fit a computer in a 1U or 2U case. That's not easy at all.
Have you noticed how deep the 1U servers are that are on the market? They may be very low in height but they are very, very deep just to have room to fit all the necessary parts so I really doubt if a 1U computer is a portable solution.
2U or even 3U/4U would imho be more compact with more room to store hard drives and such and it will be easier to cool.
 
And I'd go for a single P4.
Should give you more usable cpu power, better upgrade paths, less headaches than a dual.
 
If you want to carry it around, then you have to look at the whole package, not just the pc part. What about a screen? Preamps? Mics? Monitors?

You may be better of with a laptop. Or you could fit everything in a flightcase style rack. Then a 3/4Hu would not be a real problem, but carrying it around may be one. Why not look into one of those small form factor pcs from the likes of Shuttle? Neat, compact and powerfull enough.

Polaris: a dual amd is nice (got one myself), but the platform is getting dated: no dual channel ddr, no 166fsb. And those beasts are not exactly quiet and use a lot of juice.

James: for P4 it does not matter if it is XP pro or home as there are no dual P4 solutions.
 
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