System config question (Cheesehole - your thoughts?)

jsanfilippo wrote on 11/30/2001, 10:26 AM
I will preface by saying I'm not a complete newbie to this forum, but I don't post often. I do read a fair bit. And I've done my searching on Dual Processors and read alot of what's been said.

Now, for my question...

I know there's been a fair amount of debate regarding Dual processors and their advantage. I KNOW that it won't improve my rendering (however, with VV3, it MIGHT at some point).... but I'm looking at the multitasking advantage as a BIG plus.

So I'm looking to build a new system, and I'd like to ask Cheesehole (and any others with comments) for specifics recommendations, because I've seen you rave about your success with Dual PIIIs.

My ideas are to build a Dual PIII, with an AOPEN motherboard, starting with 512 mg of ram (open to suggestions regarding RD or SD), an ATI Rage graphics card (don't need the 3D of Radeon). I use an internal UDMA100 20 gig 76,000RPM drive currently for system, and plan to stick with that. I've got another 40 Gig on a separate UDMA100 controller, and my primary data drive is a 75 Gig Firewire drive, which smokes! Oh yeah, Win2K Pro of course - love it.

Does anyone have suggestions, comments, red flags, ideas to suggest to me. What about bus speed? Is 166 worth it? I currently use 133 and have no problems. What about mobo chipsets? My company has used AOPEN mobos for years and had good success, but I don't HAVE to go with that.

I'm still open to the possibility of a single P4, but I really like the idea of dual proc. for multitasking. I'm used to slow rendering, so it's not such an issue, but if i can speed it up, i'll be happy.

Haven't yet upgraded to VV3, but i will very soon!

(I'm also a big Director 8.5 user, so any thoughts in regard to that are welcome)

Thanks for any input.

jamie
jsanfilippo@gatewaygrp.com

Comments

Cheesehole wrote on 12/2/2001, 6:34 PM
DEC 2, 2001
it's been almost a year since i built my dual PIII 1GHz system and i'm still very happy with it's performance and reliability. my next system will probably be a dual Athalon, but i won't be in the market for several months.

my first response to the question was that building a Dual PIII right now would be aiming a little too low. i did a quick check on pricewatch and it looks like the PIII 1Ghz is still the best value compared to the other PIII's. and P4 doesn't do dual except in expensive XEON configs. so that leaves the PIII 1GHz, almost a year later, as being the best buy from Intel for dual, but if it was me, i wouldn't be building a dual PIII 1GHz now, because it won't last long enough for my taste. i'd want to upgrade within 6 months, and i like my systems to last me a year and a half.

obviously the latest Athalon XP processors deliver the best value as compared to all the processors out there, but i've only recently looked into dual athalon configurations. you are supposed to use the Athalon MP processors for dual, allthough many people have reported that the regular Athalons work. i would go still for the MP versions, even though they are pricey.

if you want to check out dual Athalons you can start with these recommendations:

motherboard:
Tyan Tiger S2460 for about $225 (dual Athalon MB)

cpu:
(2) Athlon MP 1500+ Palomino 1.33GHz for $350 total

ram:
512MB of PC2100 DDR SDRAM for $100 (get good quality like Micron so you can bump up your memory timing to CAS 2-2-2)

so your up to about $675 for the basics. power supplies are more expensive than normal for dual athalons... they recommend an AMD approved 450WATT. i'm using a cheesy 230WATT for my dual PIIIs. but that's minor. the point is, it's a little pricey to jump on the dual AMD right now.

for my system right now it would be:
motherboard:
ASUS CUV4X-D $160
cpu:
(2) socket370 PIII 1GHz $320 total
ram:
512MB PC133 $50

that puts you out $530. still on the pricey side IMO.

my advice would be, if you are looking for a proven workhorse system with good performance and okay value, go with the intel based system. you'll save a lot of stress anyway since it's proven technology and you can find plenty of good recommendations (like mine :) i use the ASUS CUV4X-D, but ASUS just released the CUV266-D which supports DDR. DDR breathes a little new life into the PIII series, but the difference is not dramatic. you would be fine with the CUV4X-D with PC133 DIMMs. just be sure to get a PIII with a 133MHz FSB. as for your question about AOpen boards, my policy is that if i can't find a thorough review (hopefully on www.tomshardware.com) then it's probably not worth the risk to save a few bucks.

on the other hand if you want to build a cutting edge system that will last you the longest, you should look further into the dual Athalon. you'll have to take more risk and pay a little more, but the return on your investment could easily make up for it, given the big performance advantage and upgrade path that Athalon MPs have over PIIIs.

well that was educational. good luck!

- ben (cheesehole)
jsanfilippo wrote on 12/3/2001, 9:01 AM
Ben,

Thank you for your thorough response. I will take your recommendations seriously. I will probably take the more conservative approach with the PIIIs over the Athalon - but I'm certain it will be a nice step up from my currenty PIII 733!

Regards,

jamie
xgenei wrote on 1/7/2002, 2:00 PM
Tests are showing for dedicated video work a single P4 is better than a dual P3. Check out the Newtek board. Note that the new Video Toaster recommended machine is a single P4 -- and that's a multi-camera real-time switching and effects environment, that supposedly bests the Trinity.

Going further, a single MP (or AthlonXP) beats the P4 for A/V work, which is what the general tech reviews I have been reading say.

Of course a dual setup of either of these will be faster -- therefore a dual board with one processor might be an advisable objective for a new NLE system.
jboy wrote on 1/7/2002, 2:27 PM
Jeez, is it really going to be worth the effort to move from a 733 dual setup to a 1gb dual configuration ? I'd do a little more research before going with that decision..