Posted by Bruno Biancucci on September 24, 2007 at 10:44:37:
In Reply to: Multiple Processors posted by Justin Reynolds on September 19, 2007 at 08:47:44:
A few years ago, I setup a gamming server with 2-cpu's (1ghz p3's) and it worked well, but I didn't get the performance of what I was expecting.
The key word here is SMP (Symmetric multiprocessing). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symmetric_multiprocessing
Hardware/Software needs to be SMP enabled to take advantage of multiple cpu(s) on a system. I'm not an expert but have fooled with duel cpu systems. I can't see how a single program will use both cpu's. I can see how multiple processes (different services or a multi-threaded application) could use such a feature.
Speed is a favorite subject of mine... Ok, well this is a little off topic, but as far as making it go faster, you sort of have to look for the bottle neck. CPU/Network/hard drive/ram bound slowdowns would be my first step. Then, deal with it. CPU tends to be the last upgrade for me. Typically memory is the first choice because it's easy to add more until there is no more to add. Fast hard drives (scsi are good, but today's SATA drives aren't far behind) - look at the 15k rpm drives. If the traffic is on a local lan, look at getting a gigabit switch (and nics). Even on our 10/100 office lan, a managed 10/100 switch will run faster than unmanged 10/100 switch. Don't forget to deal with the heat - cooking parts isn't fun even if they are under warranty. Today's systems will also clock down if they get hot.