Can a Dual Opteron board run on a single CPU?

[kingtim]

In adition to my other thread I'm replacing my work MOBO which died. It use an old Tyan Operton board. I was wondering if I can upgrade this to a 2 CPU board and run a [my current] single CPU in it until I get enough money for a second. I need this computer up and running again soon as my old one is starting to struggle under the strain.

It needs to be able to perform digital compositing/grading/HD editing/encoding well. I was looking at Asus K8N-DL Dual Opertron (£180) or Tyan K8WE.

Does anyone know of a good place to pick up Tyan boards here in the UK (except eclipse-computers) or in the US with cheap shipping to UK?

[tipsy]

try www.scan.co.uk

[matt_s989]

As far as only running one cpu i am unsure, but have you checked tigerdirect? http://www.tigerdirect.com/ i am unsure if they ship to the uk though

[Chozart]

Hi, and welcome to the forum

I assuming you have a Socket 940 Opteron?

Yes you are able to run a single CPU in that TYAN board, and just pop in the second one later down the road.
Here's the manual of the TYAN board:
ftp://ftp.tyan.com/manuals/m_s2895_101.pdf
From page 18:

If using a single processor, it MUST be installed in socket
CPU1. When using a single processor only CPU1 memory
banks are addressable.

checking on sellers in the UK

[The Duke]

The current 939 or AM2 dual core setups are very good for what you want to do. Comparativly, the MBs ar far cheeper being the dual 940 MB (Early 940s not the current AM2 940s) are expensive an over here they are 50%- 300% more in cost!
Unless you are in need of dual X2 CPUs!

[Chozart]

They have TYAN boards here (but you need to log in to see the products):
http://www.microtronicauk.com/manufacturers/tyan.htm

Duke: he already has the Opteron laying around there. However, your point is valid, and selling the Opty and going for a top-of-the line dual core rig might be a good option.

Found another seller:
http://www.afterhours.co.uk/product_...oducts_id=1088
Just a mere £254.08 / £298.54 inc for that TYAN board

[kingtim]

Cheers Chozart. I thought as much, that they'd have a CPU1 & 2, but couldn't really find to much on it. Perhaps I got the wrong Tyan board. I've got/allocated £200 to spend on this board & my old CPU is a skt940 (early, pre-AM2).

I like Tyan, as they are very stable and have used them for years with very few crashes. It's a shame they cost an arm & a leg. But most people like Asus (http://usa.asus.com/products4.aspx?l...56&modelmenu=1 & http://www.eclipse-computers.com/pro...ode=MBA-K8N-DL) and though having bad experiences with them, I'm willing to go back to them. Dual CPU's do have advantageouses over Dual core. But the AM2 dual core is tempting and not that much more expensive than standard. I mean I could just pospone my home comp. upgrade and fully do my work one. Hhmm. Why so many options?

ANd I completely forgot about Scan, there it is sat in my favourites, and I just go and overlook it.

[kingtim]

The main MOBO's I'm looking at are (in no paticular order)

Asus K8N-DL £176 - http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l...56&modelmenu=1
MSI K8N Master2-FAR NF4 £170 - http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p...2-FAR&class=mb
Tyan CK8-04 Pro £198 (S2877ANRF) - http://www.tyan.com/products/html/tigerk8we.html

With a similar butget (<£200), if I sold my current rig, what AM2 mobo would be best for my situation?

[Chozart]

Well, basically the AM2 board to get would be an ASUS:
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/112170

DFI is also a good manufacturer of AMD boards, but has not released anything good for the AM2 socket yet.

[kingtim]

They've got a couple DFI boards at http://www.eclipse-computers.com/pro...=337&brand=127 but for the price I could pick up a dual CPU board.

I don't really care about SLI as I always use ATi, and unsure whether I'll upgrade to Xfire in the future (probably if the price is right).

It's just hard to compare AM2 Dual Core to Dual CPU.