It is my understanding that AutoCAD 2000 is NOT a multi-threaded
application. However, I'm told that there are still some benefits from
running it on a dual-processor system, as the OS takes care of all of the
other stuff going on in the background. Earlier this year, my system at work
(which spends six or more hours a day running AutoCAD) was upgraded from a
conventional Compaq corporate desktop (300 mhz Pentium, 64 mb RAM, standard
Compaq video, IDE HD) to a mid-range Compaq workstation -- a pair of 500 mhz
Pentium III's, 384 mb RAM, SCSI drive, ELSA video card. There's no question
that the new system is somewhat quicker, and it only crashes twice a week
instead of daily. Same OS -- Win NT. I'm not sure how much of the
improvement is due to the better hardware, and how much is due to the
increased RAM. If it were my money, I'd load up on RAM and forego the second
CPU. But then I don't keep very many applications open when I'm in AutoCad.
My 2 cents worth --
Carroll Grigsby

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nasser, David" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, July 20, 2000 7:31 PM
Subject: [PCBUILD] Dual V.S. Single Processor

>> - snip

>
> a) If you have a highly specialized fully multi-threaded
>    compute-bound-type application (i.e. AutoCad) that you need to
>    run intensely, day-in and day-out, then look into a dual system
>    running an appropriate OS.
>

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