My computer is capable of using two processors, but currently only one

My computer is capable of using two processors, but currently only one is installed. What advantages are there to using dual processors?
- Ben

This question was answered on August 12, 2002. Much of the information contained herein may have changed since posting.

The processor is the chip that does all the ‘thinking’ or processing in your computer, so logically 2 brains are better than one, right?

Well, not always In order to take advantage of dual processors, you must have an operating system and more importantly, an application that can address both processors

Without both of these elements you simply have some expensive hardware that will only impress the few that will ever see your computer with its cover off!

Think of it as having two Blackjack dealers in a casino that only has one table Two dealers at the same table trying to deal for the same game would be a complete waste of resources and would have no affect on how fast the game was played If the casino had multiple tables, it could take advantage of multiple dealers dealing multiple games.

In fact, you could have the second dealer dealing a completely different game (or different application in the case of a computer) without affecting the first dealer’s performance.

In the Microsoft family of operating systems, you must be running Windows NT, 2000 or XP Professional in order to take advantage of dual processors If you are running Windows 95, 98, 98SE, ME or XP Home Edition don’t bother, since none of them will even know that the second processor exists.

A common use for a dual processor based computer is as a network server that is running an advanced database applications such as SQL (geek speak for Structured Query Language) or as a large e-mail server for thousands of users.

Other applications that can make use of dual processors include Computer-Aided Design (CAD) or 3D animation programs since they need tons of processing power to ‘render’ the intense drawings associated with these types of applications.

Word processing, image or photo manipulation, checking e-mail, surfing the web or any of the common tasks that the average user participates in will gain no real benefit by a second processor.

If you want to add hardware that will improve your computers performance for these common tasks, look into adding more RAM (Random Access Memory) or a faster hard drive sub-system (the hard drive is the single slowest device in the computing chain).

If you do identify an application that is capable of taking advantage of dual processors, be sure to use the same speed processor in each socket If possible, buy both processors at the same time so that you can try to match the ‘stepping’ or production lot, which is generally the best way to ensure the optimum performance.

It is common for the novice to want to ‘throw hardware at a problem’ in hopes that it will resolve a nagging issue, but when it comes to dual processors, it is critical to do your homework before taking the plunge

Unless you are a hobbyist that has lots of money to burn, you should consider consulting a professional (and I don’t mean the sales guy at your local superstore that is paid on commission) to make sure you really need the extra horsepower.