New computer for SDR question

[WA1GFZ]

I just found a nice dual 1 gHz machine cheap with 512 meg of ram. It will be my shack machine for controlling my TCI 8174 and playing with SDR interfaces.
It is a Dell machine with only 1 CPU installed. I wonder if you can still buy 1 GHz P3 modules for the Dell. I see the blank socket has a board with a bunch of resistors installed on it. I suspect bus terminations.  My old machine at work was a dual 1 gHz and my new dual 2.8 is no faster. Anybody out there ever do this modification?
Running XP PRO. I'm told it will put the second chip to work. fc

[Mike/W8BAC]

Hi Frank,

Congratulations on getting your hands on such new technology and at a good price. I have questions of my own regarding the dual processor machines.

All of the consumer dual processor machines I have seen seem to be running really slow CPU's like your 1 GHz processor. Why is this when 2 or 3 GHz processors are available rather cheep. To me more is better. Maybe it doesn't work that way.

The other concern is I think only certain programs can take advantage of the extra power the dual processors provide. I guess I'll have to do some more reading on this.

Good luck and I'll be watching this thread. I am using an SDR 1000 and I have seen others on the Flex reflector that use duals. Your SDR projects are probably different as you don't care for the 1K. You might try the flex reflector. www.flex-radio.com . 73

Mike
W8BAC

[Steve - WB3HUZ]

There are two basic requirements to reap the benefits of a multiprocessor system: a multiprocessor capable operating system, and applications written for multiprocessing. Windows Xp Pro is multiprocessor capable. You'll have to RTFM to determine the status of your applications.

[Mike/W8BAC]

Read the ....... manual? HI

[WA1GFZ]

After paying $1700 for a new 486 66 MHz I refuse to buy a new machine.
We have a cool used machine store close by. The people are cool and know their stuff. They told me XP pro and 2K pro will make a second processor play.
Today I made room and installed it into the shack with a IEEE488 interface and a couple versions of SDR software and control for my TCI 8174. The SDR software was running at 15% cpu horsepower so even with a single brain it will be fine.
512 meg of ram must help.
I also bought my son a 1 GHz HP machine but his processor module is different.
I will be looking for a Dell module to give it a try. My old work machine did a good job and my new one is no faster.
This will be a fine tool to support my RX disease. I still think my hot rod racal is at the top of the heap.
Steve HUZ I found some cool stuff you sent me years ago on SDR stuffed in a corner.
I've read it a number of times. I put it in my SDR file folder. Now I can actually play with the stuff. SDR 1000 I try to keep a very open mind because it will be the future but I think the lo needs to be cleaner to claim the dynamic range. I had 3 different configurations going listening to you guys on 3825 today.
Mike, I am very impressed with the Flex guys. I am only critical of them to improve their product and wish them all the luck. I would love to see a system that can add or replace modules as easily as reloading software.
Then there are the FPGA guys worth watching.