Requeriments for bi-processor pentium III system ?

[Guest]

Hello, I want to build a biprocessor Pentium III system, and I have one Pentium III at 733 Mhz with Family:6/Model:8/Stepping ID:3 (as report the WCPUID tool).

I'm going to buy the second Pentium III 733, with the same Family/Model/Steppping ID, and I want to know if
are there any other parameter that i must keep in mind before buying it.

What are the processor requeriments for building a bi-processor Pentium III system ?

Thanks

 

[FUGGER]

you will obviously need a dual processor motherboard
ASUS CUR-DLS is a good choice, try to stick with serverworks or Intel chipset. via chipset for Intel is a sorry excuse for a chipset.

Processors must match.

You must run windows NT/2000 or Linux to take advantage of the dual processors.

You must have threaded application to take advantage of dual processors. most/all applications should run no problem.

Windows 98/Me do not support dual processors even tho you can run that OS.

 

[Matisaro]

Listen to FUGGER, he is an expert in all things BI.

~Matisaro~
"Friends don't let friends buy Pentiums"
~Tbird1.3@1.55~

 

[rcf84]

I have no problem with my VP6

Nice Intel and AMD users get a Cookie.... Yummy

 

[girish]

Asus CUR-DLS is good, but the Intel STL2 is also good and far less expensive than the Asus part and just as good if not better.

see <A HREF="http://http://www.supermicro.com/product.htm" target="_new">http://http://www.supermicro.com/product.htm</A> for more dual processor options based Serverset chipset (with/without SCSI, with/without AGP slot and with/without Tualatin support - all combos of these)

If you go for Intel chipset you might have to use 820/840 boards using just RDRAM which might be too expensive.

the mainstream 815 chipsets do not support dual soket370.

the VIA694 might be good but doubt the traditional VIA stability and compatibility.

try <A HREF="http://www.2cpu.com" target="_new">http://www.2cpu.com</A>, you might want to read the FAQ and reviews of dual processor motherboards.

girish

<font color=blue>die-hard fans don't have heat-sinks!</font color=blue>

 

[Raystonn]

Running either 1 multithreaded application or many single/multi-threaded applications will make use of both CPUs. New applications will be run on the CPU with the least load.

-Raystonn


= The views stated herein are my personal views, and not necessarily the views of my employer. =

 

[FatBurger]

Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks for the info.

-----------------------
Quarter pounder inside

 

[FUGGER]

Supermicro and the ASUS both use the serverworks chipset.

I have had problems with the Supermicro boards. specificly the 370DLE and Adaptec 2100/3400 raid controllers. Also supermicro is very picky about memory and requires more expensive RAM, ECC Reigistered.

Asus has perfect track record with me so far, and yes they are a little more expensive.

One thing I do like about the Supermicro boards is the dual ATX power suppy connectors with rollover in case of PSU failure, redundant powersupplies without the extra cost of the redundant power supply case.

VP6 runs ok, just been allot of strange problems, took several attempts to load OS win2k, picky about booting to CD when CDROM is on second IDE chain. When using 4x IBM 75GXP on the raid controller to boot, booting is fine but inaccurate HD total is reported.

VIA really falls short, but Abit does make good boards.

 

[Renegade87]

Actually the CPU's don't need to have the same stepping. Intel states:"Mixing Processor Steppings
Even though Intel recommends using identical processor steppings in multiprocessor systems whenever possible (as this is the only configuration which receives Intel's full testing), Intel supports mixing processor steppings, and does not actively prevent various steppings of the Pentium III processor from working together in dual-processor systems. However, since Intel cannot test every possible combination of devices, each new stepping of a device is fully tested only against the latest steppings of other processors and chipset components.

With mixed stepping configurations, all processors must be run at an identical frequency. The workaround for various errata must take all processors into account. Errata for the Pentium III processor are published in the Pentium® III Processor Specification Update."


"This was no boating accident"

 

[Pettytheft]

Some MP systems will not run stable if you have mixed stepping CPU's.

Blah, Blah Blahh, Blahh, blahh blah blahh, blah blah.

 

[rcf84]

Try the Abit VP6 its really a favorite with Overclockers.

<A HREF="http://www.tech-report.com/reviews/2001q2/vp6/" target="_new">Abit VP6 w/ dual 700's rips the Athlon 1.2ghz a new A$$hole in photoshop 6</A>
<A HREF="http://www.thetechzone.com/reviews/motherboards/abit/vp6/index.shtml" target="_new">http://www.thetechzone.com/reviews/motherboards/abit/vp6/index.shtml</A>
<A HREF="http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/Motherboards/vp6.htm" target="_new">http://www.hothardware.com/hh_files/Motherboards/vp6.htm</A>
<A HREF="http://www.2cpu.com/Hardware/vp6/vp6_1.html" target="_new">http://www.2cpu.com/Hardware/vp6/vp6_1.html</A>
<A HREF="http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/motherboards/VP6_1.html" target="_new">http://www.extremeoverclocking.com/reviews/motherboards/VP6_1.html</A>

The Abit is for Hardcore Overclocking and i love it.

Nice Intel and AMD users get a Cookie.... Yummy

 

[Pettytheft]

If your going to consider the Abit VP6 and Via try out the Iwill DVD266. It's just as buggy as the Abit (It can become stable but it takes some patience), plus it uses DDR. It doesnt give that great of a performance boost but DDR is cooler than SDRAM. Plus for an extra $15, all your friends can come over and drool at your shiny new DDR duallie system.

<A HREF="http://www.2cpu.com/Hardware/DVD266-R/dvd266-r-1.html" target="_new">http://www.2cpu.com/Hardware/DVD266-R/dvd266-r-1.html</A>
<A HREF="http://www.viahardware.com/dvd266.shtm" target="_new">http://www.viahardware.com/dvd266.shtm</A>
<A HREF="http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/motherboards/iwill/dvd266/" target="_new">http://www.cluboverclocker.com/reviews/motherboards/iwill/dvd266/</A>

Here is my system:
IwillDVD266
2 P3 700@933 1.8v
SB Live 5.1
RadeonLE flashed to DDR
Promise Fastrack 100Tx PCI Raid controller
Plextor 12x CDRW
4x Hitachi DVD
3 40GB Seagate ATA100 Hardisks (I always use Seagate, they have never failed on me)
Dual Boot Win2k and Slackware 8.0.

Your going to need at least a 350w Powersupply also, and not some cheapo either. I had all sorts of strange problems with my Antec PSU. Like autoreboots and lockups when the system was idleing. But with a Enermax 350 everything is running as smooth as Via will allow. I have yet to see a BSOD but I get the occasional IE explorer error. Other than that all of my apps run smooth.

But read around a bit, especially 2cpu.com, they've got some pretty good writeups on duallies there. If you want absolute maximum stability go with Tyan or Supermicro and avoid the Via chipsets.

Blah, Blah Blahh, Blahh, blahh blah blahh, blah blah.

 

[FUGGER]

Overclocking and posting high number is one thing, stability is another. you lost stability in overclocking in some cases. for this kind of investment I dont think he is looking for high number over stable machine.