Processor Upgrade

[wsteineker]

So I was wondering a little something about actual performance under OS X. Are dual processor machines really all that they're cracked up to be? I have a 450 Cube, and I'd love a little more speed. The current options are either a dual 500 daughter card upgrade from Sonnet or a single 550 daughter card upgrade from XLR8. Heat and cost being non-issues (as fans don't bother me too much and this little project is being written off), which would offer me better performance. I have 1.5 GB of RAM and a Radeon installed right now, if that helps any. Thanks for the help guys!

 

[cb911]

i think that dual-processors are only really good if you are working on really big files, like 1GB photoshop files. i think it also helps for rendering animation and stuff like that. if you don't do stuff like that then your machine will probably run a bit slower. i'm not sure where i saw it, but it was a site comparing a dual and single processor Macs of the same MHz. for small everyday stuff i think the DP machine ran a bit slower.

 

[mac15]

I would go dual anyway cause it will ensure that your computer will last a little longer than a single CPU. Even if you don't use Photoshop or and other CPU intensive application....... Your OS X will thank you

 

[Mr. Anderson]

Re: Processor Upgrade

Originally posted by wsteineker
So I was wondering a little something about actual performance under OS X. Are dual processor machines really all that they're cracked up to be? I have a 450 Cube, and I'd love a little more speed. The current options are either a dual 500 daughter card upgrade from Sonnet or a single 550 daughter card upgrade from XLR8. Heat and cost being non-issues (as fans don't bother me too much and this little project is being written off), which would offer me better performance. I have 1.5 GB of RAM and a Radeon installed right now, if that helps any. Thanks for the help guys!

I've been thinking about doing that to my Desktop 450, but I'm looking for something a with a little more umph! Dual 500 would be nice, but I'd be happier with something higher than 700 or so. With all the rendering I do it would definintely help and that way I could wait out the G5 a little more comfortably. Does anyone know if there is going to be an upgrade to the cards any time soon?

 

[edesignuk]

I don't know how much faster dual CPU's are, all I know is my dual 1Ghz flies!!!

 

[evildead]

Dual CPUs are ...

Only good if your doing stuff with Multi treaded applications like PS and Brice. OS X has some built in stuff to make it take advantage of the extra CPU. Normaly how Dual systems work is that the second one kicks in once the first one has been maxed out. Keeping both running all the time can add overhead with little bennifit if your not using it. It all depends on the environment that you are working with and your needs. If it was me I would go with the Dual CPU's... the diffrence between a 500 and a 550 is... not much... but a Dual 500 will kick ass.


-eivldead

 

[Choppaface]

dp on OSX KICKS!!

I've tried an 867 at compusa and I swear my dual 500 is faster in general stuff. multitasking+dualie=smooth

 

[Mr. Anderson]

Has anyone upgraded a Sawtooth with a dual CPU? I'm really thinking now I need to do this. Lightwave would most likely be almost twice as fast. Thats worth the price, no question about it.