Dual processor or new mobo and P4?

[Chicken]

I have this Gateway Server (6400) that I use as a home computer (running Windows 2000 server ed., but not being used as a server). I've got a DVD burner in it, a TV video card, Digital Video editing, and the usual graphics programs, and web browsing. So I want to beef this puppy up a bit for the TV video card (watch and record live video better), edit digital video that I've shot, etc. So the question is...

This server has a dual processor motherboard, and I have one PIII 933Mhz in there now. I could get another PIII 933Mhz processor (and a heatsink?, anything else?), and install it (snap it in right?). As you can tell I know little about it, but could figure it out.

or

Fry's has a PIV 2.4Ghz processor and motherboard combo for $140 (something like that). So I could just swap out the motherboards, or is it more difficult than that? I'm guessing configuration of the bios, and other settings, etc. I suppose the new motherboard would take different ram, so I that would end up costing a bit more (another 512MB worth).

So which would you do, knowing what I use the computer for?

[David]

The two PIIIs should outperform the one P4. If the P4 has hyperthreading then maybe it will do better.

[rusko]

most desktop apps will not take advantage of the second cpu. when running apps in parallel, there may be an advantage. with that said, you need to find the second cpu with the same stepping as the first one, which is hard to do unless you buy them together.

i would say go for the p4 if you are not using it as a server - better fsb throughput, faster ram (you will need to buy that =) and less hassle all around.

paul

[net-trend]

It depends what video editing software you are going to use. Does it support multiple CPUs? If it does, use the p3 bolt on cpu path.

If it doesn't, a p4 would be the way to go. And yes it will be as simple as a mobo swap with newer higher specced ram.

Upon bootup, since it's a new mobo, tweaks do need to be applied to the BIOS, but W2K should be able to pickup the changes without hassle.

[Chicken]

Hmmm... I'm using Pinnacle Studio 8. No idea if it supports dual processors, no idea what apps support it. If nothign supports it, then I suppose it would be pointless, even though there are 2 votes for PIII933.

Where I really notice the slowness is with the live video. Full screen is pushing it, as it can't keep up. Really, just more power (don't we all want it). Adding some more ram may help (there's 384MB in there now), but I don't think that will solve the live video problem.

[net-trend]

Getting a new video card and quicker harddisk drives will help the most with full screen video.

If you are really up for it, using hard disk striping (RAID 0) will give you maximum performance.