Dual Processor Motherboard Suggestions

Chanimal wrote on 5/9/2003, 9:01 AM

I'm considering switching to a dual motherboard configuration w/XP. However, I'm suprised at how difficult it is to find info about the best dual motherboard for multimedia (I've seen some for servers (without AGP slots), etc.). I prefer AMD (live in Austin and have friends to support), but would consider whatever options are best.

Suggestions?

Comments

mikkie wrote on 5/9/2003, 9:11 AM

Wait...

FuTz wrote on 5/9/2003, 9:29 AM

Can you live with what you've got right now? If the answer's Yes, then:
I'd second Mikkie here...

Chanimal wrote on 5/10/2003, 12:59 AM

Anything coming down the pipe that you're aware of?

mikkie wrote on 5/10/2003, 8:06 AM

All sorts of good stuff - there was a thread the other day listing many details, but the short answer (IMO anyway) is that better, much faster hardware for less money is on the way. Better then paying a premium now, and kicking yourself the rest of the year, if you can wait...

PhilParker wrote on 5/10/2003, 9:40 AM

Chanimal,
You wrote “info about the best dual motherboard for multimedia”. The fact is each editing system has it’s own idiosyncrasies and conflicts with various computer components. Ideally, it is best to use a system integrator who has tested computer configurations with various edit systems and puts together “turnkey systems” that minimize conflicts. That’s what I did with my last system and had few problems compared to others who tried to put their own together. This approach, however, means higher costs and is not always cost efficient for many. The good news is that Vegas, as I understand, is very forgiving and works well with most configurations. This is unusual among edit systems and a significant benefit There has been some discussion about conflicts in the past with the VIA chipsets as opposed to Intel chipsets. Others have stated that the newer VIA chipsets don’t have those problems.

Mikkie wrote “Wait... for better, much faster hardware for less money is on the way”. The fact is that has always been true in the computer industry. You have to ask yourself “Can I get by with what I have? Is it acceptable?” If not, don’t look at the fastest processor or most recent and most expensive innovation, but take a step or two down from that for a more cost effective system. I am having a system built. When we looked at saving some money by using 1.8GHz processors rather than 2.4GHz the savings was less than $75 and not worth the loss in speed. The 3 GHz processors, however, were significantly higher. We went with the 2.4 processors. There are always tradeoffs.
I hope this helps in your decision process.
Phil Parker

PAW wrote on 5/10/2003, 2:33 PM

by 2010 there will be 30GHz processors - trust me I know.

There is never a good time to buy because of the rate of change.

Altough front side bus speeds are going up and processors always will there is never a dramatic change about to happen that will benefit from hanging on another month or two - you'll be hanging on until 2010 and beyond if you think that way.

Buy the best you can afford, hopefully the fastest & best on offer.

Be aware that it will be out of date in three to six months - its hard not to look at the latest and think if only I had waited.

See you in 2010.

PAW

vicmilt wrote on 5/10/2003, 11:01 PM

Hey Chanimal -
Couple o things.
1. Vegas is not optimized for multi-processor use, so you'll be buying functions that won't really work with VV.
2. The new Intel 3.02 Gig HT is hyper threaded, which Vegas IS optimzed for. You should see an appreciable speed increase with it (have not tried it myself, but did see a very positive write-up somewhere).
3. for not much more money (or maybe less) you could set up two edit stations, possiblyh linked with a KVM switch.
This would allow you to do your "main" edit on one machine (your HT??) and to construct and render your "super effects" on a second station. Then just grab the rendered AVI's from machine #2 and you're on your way. This is the way I'd go. You can probably use your old (current) machine as the "render farm".