Single or Dual Processor?

[TeeJayHoward]

This is going to be an odd question, I'm sure. Which would be faster at rendering large, complex scenes via Maya's built-in renderer? A Dual Xeon 2.8Ghz or a Single AMD 64 3500+? Assuming both have 1GB DDR-400 and identical AGP 8x GeForceFX 6600GTs?

I can't seem to find any sort of reviews on the internet comparing a single and dual processor system. Also, are there any disadvantages to using a Dual-Processor system for day-to-day activities (Gaming when I'm not rendering?)

 

[Vertigo Acid]

Well, in gaming the 3500+ is going to own that Xeon setup, IIRC Maya is multithreaded so a dualie setup will greatly aid in rendering tasks. As for day to day activity, the dualie will be much smoother, especially with dual Xeons (4 logical processors makes windows smooth as butter) So it just depends on whether you're more concerned about gaming performance or maya rendering. Don't get me wrong, it won't be any slower than a P4 2.8

 

[FunkStar]

For rendering the dual-cpu system would be far faster than the 3500+. Only get a a64 if your focusing on gaming, for anything constructive get a dually . If your serious bout rendering buy a quadro or fire card isntead of a 6600gt, unless you already have it.

 

[Zepher]

For rendering the dual-cpu system would be far faster than the 3500+. Only get a a64 if your focusing on gaming, for anything constructive get a dually . If your serious bout rendering buy a quadro or fire card isntead of a 6600gt, unless you already have it.

I am pretty sure the video card is only helpful when modeling and setting up the scene and not when you render.
I am also not sure how Maya does it's rendering but if it is like other programs, a dual proc machine can render 2 frames at one time which cuts rendering time in half compared to a single proc system of the same speed.

here is a quick example of a P4 setup,
P4 3.4ghz and a Dual 2.8 Xeon. Rendering one frame, the 3.4 will be faster, rendering more than 1 frame, the Dual will be faster.

If you have a complex scene with lots of polygons, a faster video card will update the screen much quicker and also allow you to have some textures and shadows visible and make the scene layout snappier since sometimes you want to see it semi rendered in real time vs looking at wireframes and doing quick renders.

 

[USMC2Hard4U]

How about dual opterons

I had to throw it out there

 

[TeeJayHoward]

Thanks for the input.

About the opterons - Can't afford it. Wish I could

About Maya rendering - That's about what I expected, just wanted some confirmation.

About gaming - So I guess no games are really availible that are optimized for dual-proc systems, eh?

About the video cards - Actually, it'll just be onboard. I'm looking at a 1U/2U rackmount setup, but I was wondering if the card would make much of a difference. (I could just throw it in an extra CM ATC-710 I have here)

Anyone have any hard numbers for me to munch on?

Also, would folding@Home affect day-to-day light HTTP/DNS/FTP/MySQL performance? (By light I mean around 1000 hits/day.) I hate wasting CPU-hours...

 

[feel]

i will vote for dual xeon

 

[Carnival Forces]

p4s are better at rendering anyways--more memory bandwidth.

i vote for dualies.

 

[Zardoz]

dual cpu system will be better, but you have to look at total CPU power, if your dual cpu system has the same power and a single cpu, well you get the picture...

 

[Konstantinnovation]

Any kind of rendering, will no doubt benefit from the dualie. Also , compiling, media encoding, or ... FOLDING!

=)