So I'm using an old server computer that has two processors but I have a dual core processor that's not being used.

Does the computer use the two processors or is one just a back up? If the second processor isn't being used I would use the dual core processor instead.  

Depends on the processors and their speeds. Can you share which models they are? Also, your dual core processor might not even be compatible with the motherboard in your server.  

I have a compatible motherboard.

Two Intel Xeon 3.20ghz

The Dual Core is AMD Athlon II X2 245 2.9ghz  

Posted by Newton

I have a compatible motherboard.

Two Intel Xeon 3.20ghz

The Dual Core is AMD Athlon II X2 245 2.9ghz

Pretty sure the xeon processors would be faster.  

Which Xeons exactly? Can use CPU-Z to find out or just run "dxdiag" by typing it in your start menu.  

 

Do programs even utilize the multiple CPU's?  

I'm confused. You say you have a motherboard that can either use 2 Intel chips or 1 dual core AMD chip?  

Posted by Crono

Do programs even utilize the multiple CPU's?

That's my question

Posted by hosler

I'm confused. You say you have a motherboard that can either use 2 Intel chips or 1 dual core AMD chip?

Nah I have a spare motherboard I'd use for the dual core.  

Generally 1 process will use 1 core unless specifically designed to do otherwise. The OS will do its best to load balance with multiple processes.  

Posted by hosler

Generally 1 process will use 1 core unless specifically designed to do otherwise. The OS will do its best to load balance with multiple processes.

So what you're saying is unless the program is optimized to run on two processors it will only use one?

If a game runs off of multiple cores it probably won't run off of multiple processors, right?  

Those Xeons are from 2004 but 2x of them at 3.2ghz seems kind of ok still. I don't know if Windows treates multiple CPUs the same as cores. I think it does but I'm not 100%.  

Posted by Newton

So what you're saying is unless the program is optimized to run on two processors it will only use one?

Pretty much  

Posted by Newton

So what you're saying is unless the program is optimized to run on two processors it will only use one?

Right. Games and programs have to be built specifically for using multi-core or multi-processor functions.

Posted by Crono

Those Xeons are from 2004 but 2x of them at 3.2ghz seems kind of ok still. I don't know if Windows treates multiple CPUs the same as cores. I think it does but I'm not 100%.

A two processor setup is very different from two cores.

For instance, you can run a single instance of a game using both cores, but adding a second processor allows you to process data with however many cores are between both processors.  

I guess I see it as a catch 22 then. Thanks for your help guys.