What is SMP
SMP is a system with 2 or more processors equiped with an operating syatem that distributes the load across these processors as evenly as possibly.
Does that mean 1 processor will run the os and 1 will run my game ?
No the Operating system sends threads as soon as there is room to whatever processor is ready .
Is two 1 gig processors faster than one 1 gig processor If all other hardware is equal ?
No because of the added overhead of busses and because the operating system always distributes the load as evenly as possible across the 2 processors.Example if a game uses 50% of a single processor to run and you play the game on a dual the game will use 25% of each processor to run resulting in the same 50% load that we have in a single.Now add the bus for the dual and you are slightly slower in a game.
So if it is not faster why even have a dual system.
{It has been said a dual owner never goes back ! here is why.}
Lets encode a video on a 1 gig single with exactly the same hard ware as a dual 1 gig.On the single you will see processor usage at 100% durring the video encoding process.Now Try to open Outlook express Or play a game.
On the dual run the same Video encoding and you will see each processor at 50% which is equal to the single at 100%.Now open Outlook express,Play a game,and fold and the dual happly responds.
What Operating Syatems can I use in a dual ?
Windows NT,2000 pro,XP Pro,Linux,BSD,Solars,and others, but for 99% of use here I suspect the windows products will be used.
