WOOHOO PC Blows doors off Dual MAC G4
 

In tests run by Digital Video Editing.com, both a single CPU PC and a duallie AMD PC blew the doors off of a MAC G4 duallie!!
See the story at: http://www.digitalvideoediting.com/Htm/DVEditHomeSet1.htm

The surprise is that a single Intel P4 PC tied a dual AMD system from Boxx.

PC vs MAC
 

Bill,
I have a slight slant on this subject since I worked for Intel for 13 years. In fact, I worked in and around the FAB's in Rio Rancho NM. just down the road a bit from you.....for 7+ years.

I will say this;
My current editing box runs a P4 1.8 with DDR RAM, and it's true that the P4 is optimized for video editing, so their comparison is correct. I have yet to test the 533 FSB chips, but I just upgraded my motherboard to support the new FSB in a future CPU upgrade.

I've run my own personal side by side tests to validate, since I have access to all systems you speak of. All of my tests are based on rendering. The single P4 wins hands down (not testing the P4 Xeon).

In conclusion, there are drawbacks to each and every system in one form or another. It all boils down to the old "Ford vs Chevy" wrestling match ;)

Rgds.,
Dan

What about using those Intel ZEON CPUs. They have come down alot in price I wonder if what would be the best CPU to use in a DUAL CPU system (AMD, Pentium 4, or Zeon)

Any comments?

In a duallie configuration, AMD still rules. But, that's only because there are no duallie mobo's based on the P4 533FSB CPU yet. Give it some time.

Comparison test articles show a single CPU is actually faster in some memory intensive applications because of the memory bandwidth utilization. A duallie system chokes the memory bandwidth. PC2700 or PC3000, if and when it becomes a reality will help alleviate this problem.

Given equal CPUs, memory etc, how much faster are dual systems than single CPU systems? On average?
I'm just curious if the power gain justifies the extra cost.
Thanks

In my experience, a duallie system doesn't offer anything in the way of performance improvement unless the software is multi-threaded. Vegas Video and TMPGENc utilize multiple processors, Premier, Avid, and some others do not. The real advantage in multi-processor systems is stability. It's possible to move the mouse without causing a system lock-up.

bill... mouse is moved by a hardware triggered (IRQ) event and
then handled in ring 0 code (this code can do ANYTHING). Even
when everything else is locked beyond locking my mouse still
moves :P ... But, one advantage to multiprocessors can be if
your doing CPU intensive stuff that you have another CPU
available to do other things. Responsiveness may also increase.

You will benefit the most thought with applications that natively
support MP (multi processor) systems. I think it is much more
wise now-a-days to infest in the fastest proc. you can buy with
a large amount of memory and large capacity harddisks. That
will buy you more for the money i think.

Weren't there also new Intel processors (or coming) that are
more or less dual processors on one chip? This was some
virtual technique that increased the power even more. Windows
will actually think that your system has 2 processors. Although
this is not a truly MP system, it did increase performance by
a significant amount!.... don't know where I read an article
about it though

Rob...

Yeah, it's called hyperthreading by M$. It's really designed to make multi-processing even better than the current state of the art, but, it won't be available until the 64bit architecture comes out, I think.

Re: PC vs MAC
 

<<<-- Originally posted by RC Productions : Bill,
I have a slight slant on this subject since I worked for Intel for 13 years. In fact, I worked in and around the FAB's in Rio Rancho NM. just down the road a bit from you.....for 7+ years.

Dan -->>>

Dan,

I grew up in the area that you worked. Do you miss the New Mexico style Mexican food? My aunt has been working for Intel in Rio Rancho since they opened. She is a technical writer for one of the divisions.

It is cool to see somebody how is from my neck of the woods!

Rio Rancho
 

NM has some of the best food in the world ! Their "New Mexican" version of dishes is something you don't want to miss in your lifetime if you have the chance(tip for other readers).

To be honest, and hopefully not offend anyone since that is not my intention......

I don't miss NM one bit, but I do miss their food and their green chilies. It was by far the most boring place I've ever lived.

Northern NM is beautiful and has some great fishing and hunting if you are in to that type of thing.

I met my wife there, and she was born and raised in the Albuquerque area (so that is a plus). A small portion of her family still lives there, but most of them have since moved to Denver.

I have numerous friends still working and living around the the Rio Rancho campus, and I keep in touch with them on a frequent basis.

Rio Raunchy is, indeed, a boring place.

<<<-- Originally posted by billravens : Rio Raunchy is, indeed, a boring place. -->>>

LOL no doubt about that! I actually lived in Corrales, which is just the opposite.

As for leaving Albuquerque, I can't say I miss the area...but I do miss my family. I agree regarding the comment about Northern New Mexico. Nothing like it on the planet. My goal is to someday buy property in Taos. Man I love that area. Plus I love to fresh water fishing.

Regarding the food, yes it is beyond description. The green and red chili is like heaven on earth. Makes me hungry just thinking about it.

For those of you interested in Micro$oft's hyperthreading technology, there's some good articles over at www.2cpu.com. It looks like Intel will release a hyperthreading P4 next year.

you guys are making me homesick talking about chile. NM has the best chile on the planet. I grew up in El Paso and we would drive up to NM and go to one of the chile farms and pick our own chile, buy several large sacks and then roast them and
put them in the freezer and when it ran out we would go and get some more.

haven't had any since I was back home visiting my family in '98. What do you guys think about menudo? you guys are
lucky to live back in the states with all that great food nearby. my kingdom for menudo, green chile, and chorizo.

Hatch rules!!!
menudo??? yikes!!! Breakfast of Champions