On 9-Aug-05, at 5:15 PM, Justin The Cynical wrote:
Generally, no they don't.
Unless Apple did some weird things to the kernel of OS 10, a program on
*NIX has to be compiled to take advantage of SMP (aka multiple
processors).
This is a common misconception. A program does not have to be compiled
with SMP support to take advantage of a multiprocessor system. The OS
will direct programs/threads to an available processor. A dual
processor system can run two "non-smp" applications at the same time.
The program it self can never use more processing power of a single
processor... A threaded app can run on both cpus at the same time to
take advantage of the full processing power of the system.
Applications that are thread-aware still have to be
compiled to be SMP aware.
Applications that have the ability to be run in multiple threads have
been compiled with SMP support.
Games, at least I've never heard of one that
is, are not threaded nor SMP aware.
Just as an FYI...
QUAKE III's graphic engine was compiled with SMP support. So if you
have a SMP system, Quake III would take advantage of both processors.
QUAKE III is an old game, it would not surprise me if most of the
latest Apple games have SMP support. A simple query on the binary files
would easily confirm that.
In my personal experience a DUAL cpu system is much more responsive. It
seams "faster" because one cpu will typically be straddled with the
system work load (disk I/O, network card, swap, etc, etc...) The second
sits paused waiting for your next command. You CAN rip a MUSIC CD and
BURN a CD without worrying about a wait state that would cause your
program to fail.
A dual 400 can run two programs at 400 MHz each (that is a gross over
estimate) but it will not run a single program at 800 MHz. A single 800
MHz will play a game faster but it will be less responsive.
For server applications its a no brainer, go with a dual. For a home
user you may never see any difference. BUT The "KEWL FACTOR" of a dual
outweighs the loss of MHz bragging rights.
What's the point of having a 1.5 GHz G4, 2.5 GHz G5 or a 3.4 GHz P4 if
your only running solitaire and a word processor? A 90 MHz 603e can do
that.
I always side on the side of dual over single. Aren't too heads better
then one?
Brian
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