# Help! SMP or RAM?
23 messages in this thread
I'm looking at purchasing a new system this week. With an eye on the
coming MAX, which is more important: the potential for dual processors or more
RAM? I can either go with a P133 with 64MB RAM or a dual Pentium (one CPU)
and 32 megs. Either way, I know I'll be spending more money down the line. I
need to make a decision soon, but my head is stuck on the tilt-a-whirl!
Thanks!
Harley
Harley, by your message, it would seem that the difference in price between a
single and dual-processor MB is about the same as 32mb of RAM. Is this the
case? if so, there's definitely something wrong there! I think the difference
should be around 300$, and that's only around 9mb of RAM.
Since the 2nd processor can boost MAX performance by 60%, it's probably the way
to go and add more RAM later, or sooner, as the case may be!
-Alan
Hi Alan,
Thanks for your advice (my question wasn't particularly clear). I ended
up going with a single processor P133. By the time MAX ships I'll have a
better idea of what my hardware needs (and financial resources) are.
BTW: While I only spoke to you for a micro-second at Siggraph, it was
nice to put a name to a face. I've appreciated your advice and comments over
the years.
Harley
Harley,
did they have dual 133's available yet? If so, what was the price difference
from the single cpu m/board?
Martin,
>>did they have dual 133's available yet?
PMJI, I've found a couple of places with the dual 133's and it is about a $900
addition for the second processor.
Andrew
Andrew,
>> I've found a couple of places with the dual 133's and it is about a $900
addition for the second processor. <<
that's including the second CPU, or is that merely ready for a second CPU?
Sounds like it should include it for that much.
Martin,
>>that's including the second CPU
Yes it is.
Andrew
Martin,
Micron has dual 133's. I think the difference in price was close to
$500. BTW, I took your advice and went with a local vendor. I was able to get
a lot more computer for less money.
Harley
Harley,
>> Micron has dual 133's. I think the difference in price ~ $500. <<
Micron seems to be one of the first mail-order computers out of the gate with
these kind of systems. Hope your local vendor works out.
Martin,
>>Hope your local vendor works out.<<
I'll find out Wednesday. There shouldn't be too much trouble, the guy is using
all quality parts. I did opt for a single processor system, though.
Harley
Micron "says" it has dual 133's however I ordered one 5 weeks ago and have been
on the phone with them almost daily in the last week and one half and none have
been built or shipped yet. JUST a bit of false advertising! Samuel Coor
Still Waiting
>Micron "says" it has dual 133's however I ordered one 5 weeks ago and have
been >on the phone with them almost daily in the last week and one half and
none have >been built or shipped yet. JUST a bit of false advertising! Samuel
Coor
Five weeks?! I'm glad I decided against them. When I was looking into
it I'm sure they told me two weeks. Good luck.
Harley
They told me two weeks as well. Here is the scoop. Micron did not even have
the motherboards when they first started advertsing. When they finally got the
boards they had tto apply and wait for fcc approval. When they got the
approval and started testing the boards the realized they were sent they wrong
boards and had to start the process from the beginning. This is start from
Micron. I cancelled my order but after llooking around ie- intergraph, alr I
reordered the Micron and have decided to wait. If I ever get it I will post a
message to let you know if it was worth it. Glad they have a 30 day return
policy. Sam
Sam,
After looking around and noticing that no one, not even board
manufacturers were advertising a dual 133, I started to get suspcious. Pretty
creepy of Micron. In my case I decided against Micron and a dual Pentium. I
went with a local vendor who was able to max out a P/133 with all high-quality
components for a better price than Micron.
Harley
> Pretty creepy of Micron. <
Large companies require as much risk and vision to survive as small companies.
If Mr. Coor is correct, it is obvious that Micron was leading the pack in
getting the dual 133s into a state of availability, but due to a disastrous
error they encountered a setback.
The amount of planning and timing that is required to coordinate production and
advertizing is, I think, oft overlooked by most. I would not categorize what
happened with Micron as "creepy", rather I might describe it as an honest
error. After all, had they been sent the right boards in the first place, you
might have been typing on your Micron 133 right now.
Just a thought.
— James — Choreo Motion —
James,
"The amount of planning and timing that is required to coordinate
production and advertizing is, I think, oft overlooked by most. I would not
categorize what happened with Micron as "creepy", rather I might describe it
as an honest error. After all, had they been sent the right boards in the
first place, you might have been typing on your Micron 133 right now."
Perhaps I should clarify something: I was talking to Micron about this
system before they had ever had the motherboards in stock. Of course, they
failed to mention this to me and instead were very willing to give me a two
week shipping date and take my credit card number.
To me this is "creepy".
I'm very "aware of the amount of planning and timing that is required
to coordinate production and advertising". I do not consider this "an honest
error". Rather, this is one more example of a company so eager to gain an edge
that they will mislead the public. If I'm ordering a $7000 dollar computer
system I have every right to know that the motherboards needed are not in stock
and that a two-week shipping date is wishful thinking.
Unfortunately this is becoming habitual with many hardware and software
companies in this industry.
Harley
Most welcome, Harley (great name!), and thanks so much for the kind words.
It was nice seeing you at Siggraph. Hope to see you next year in N'Awlins!
-Alan
Alan,
>>It was nice seeing you at Siggraph. Hope to see you next year
>>in N'Awlins!
I'll be there!
Harley
Harley,
I am in a similar situation, where the difference between a single processor MB
and a dual processor MB, entire system was about $600-700, same configuration.
I could reduce this by putting the system together myself, however, I really
wanted to get a full system.
If I could have waited until January or February, I would have as I am sure
that all things will be cheaper, more compatable etc. Also, I would know more
precisely about 3ds max, and optimal hardware, graphics etc.
As it is, I needed a machine now (my 486/25 don't cut it), so I finally decided
to get the single processor MB, pentium 133. This saved me a little, is a
little faster (because of the Triton chipset, edo ram, synch-burst cache), but
I will be able to get a new MB in the future when it will definately be useful.
At this point, I really have nothing that will take full advantage of
multiprocessors; and by the time I do, the multiprocessor options may be much
greater, in terms of price and performance. I can also use the chip seperately
and use the MB with up to a Pentium 150 (supposedly), so all the parts will be
useful.
Good luck.
Doug
Doug,
My situation is almost identical to yours. I also ended up getting a
single processor P133. I opted to go with regular RAM as opposed to the EDO.
Since EDO ram doesn't work with multiple processors, I didn't want to later be
stuck with ram I couldn't use (I hate that!). From the specs, it sounds like
you bought a Micron. Am I right?
As to the hardware requirements of MAX, I'm in complete agreement –
until the software is here, we don't really know what we need, or what will be
available and at what price. Five months is a long time in this business.
HH
Harley,
Yes, I got a Micron. However, I got the EDO ram. I have heard that the
Triton2 PCI chipset motherboards are coming out soon, and that these support
bothe EDO ram and SMP. I hope this is correct. Good luck, I just called and
they said the machine will be shipped Monday or Tues. and will arrive next wed.
or thurs., 3 days ahead of schedule.
Doug
Doug,
When you get it, let me know. Maybe we could do some comparative
rendering tests.
Harley
Will do. It should be coming in the next few days.
Doug