QUESTION

Here's my system:

• Intel Pentium with MMX 166 MHz Tower
• 1.7 GB hard drive
• CD-ROM drive
• 33.6 Kbps modem
• ATI 3D Pro pc2tv video card with 8 MB
• Windows 95

Okay, here's the scoop: I'm an avid computer artist. I'm highly involved in 3D stills and animations.

I have plans to solve some serious rendering issues and the first on my list is the processor. Being a 166 Pentium MMX , it's okay, but I prefer not to wait until I'm 85 for the thing to render a 5 minute animation. So I figure its time to go dual processor. In the near future I would like to go dual K63D, but my problem is what would be a good motherboard that is here now that will also support K63D (don't forget we're talking dual here)? Basically, where do I find a dual-CPU motherboard that will support a socket 7 of today and be able to hold the socket 7s of tomorrow without significant hindrances? Also, what's this about "super socket 7" and how might it fit into my dilemma?

--Jim kirk

ANSWER

First of all, there are no chipsets, and thus no motherboards, available that will use dual K6 processors. AMD is planning for the K7 to be used in dual processor configurations, but for now you will have to go Intel.

Secondly, Windows 95 will not use dual processors. It will run fine on a dual-processor motherboard, but will simply ignore the second processor. You should be using Windows NT (yeah, yeah, or UNIX or OS/2). Get a machine with dual Pentium II processors running Windows NT and you'll love the difference. Windows NT is 40% faster than Windows 95, it's just not as device friendly yet. Sorry to shatter your plans, but I think I've pointed you in the right direction.

The new Super 7 socket will be pin-compatible with Socket 7, but will feature a memory bus running at 100 MHz. If you want to stay with Socket 7, it will give you a decent boost, but I have heard no plans for a Super 7 dual processor chipset and I highly doubt that we'll ever see one.