Is it possible to build a system that utilizes two motherboards, Two processors, tow RAMS, ect...? I had this thought last night laying in bed and I was wondering why this is not done or at least attempted...
I dont think you can do it cause you cant directly link the mobos and processors and get them to work together. Essentially IF you attempted this you would end up with two systems
You cant do it in the COMMON market that i know of
Yeah, they're called mainframes or at least enterprise-class servers. Sun makes some.. They are usually $50,000 and up
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Geeky1University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
edited November 2003
uses them how? Are you talking about a case that holds two independent computers, or a system that somehow combines the power of more than one system?
It's possible to do both, but combining multiple computers into one supercomputer is not practical for most people. It's called a beowulf cluster, and it requires Linux, and there is essentially no consumer-level software that can use more than 2 CPUs.
What about a case that hold more than one system? Could you link the two somehow to register as one? Also, how difficult would it be to build a laptop or somehow portable notebook, computer?
yes, you can do this. It's called Infiniband Technology. It's bacially 2 64bit PCI cards connected to an "Infiniswitch" which makes the two computer act like 1. This is an easy way to make a super computer for much less money. However, the cards and switches are expensive. You can like many thousands of computers together this way to make 1 super computer.
AFAIK, and as was stated above, there's no consumer software out there that could take advantage of it - either the speed or the total computing horsepower.
Just to add some further confusion to this post =)), I (and several other members here) run 2 (or more) computers side by side through 1 keyboard 1 mouse and 1 monitor but the computers are NOT otherwise linked together. There's something called a KVM Switch (Keyboard Video Mouse) that can make it so you can run multiple computers off one "desktop" setup. KVM's come in 2 port, 4 port, and more, so that you can *control* multiple units - again, this does NOT link together their computing power.
all a KVM switch does is switch your K (keyboard) V (video/monitor) and M (mouse) from one to the other, like those old printer switchboxes. If doesn't affect the system at all.
Well, there are probably cheaper solutions out there but for a 2-system set up, I use and highly recommend this Linksys unit. . It's got all the built in cables for 2 systems (in many cases, you have to buy extra cabling), and all you do to switch between systems is double-tap the "Scroll Lock" key on your keyboard. It can also be set up to automatically switch between systems at various intervals. Idiot proof, for guys like me
**Edit** I think MediaMan even reviewed this unit, back in Icrontic days, tho I can't find it with a brief search.
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Geeky1University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
edited November 2003
As for building laptops, it's essentially impossible. Everything is custom-made for a given laptop, and most of it is not available to the general public, except as secondhand stuff on ebay, or installed in a complete system
I just do it cause I'm a geek and like to play with hardware. Others may run intensive applications on one (or more) unit(s), and want to have another unit for other day to day stuff.
I thought about setting up another computer just to backup DVDs, since it takes several hours for each disc. Don't really want to go buy another HD, though.
Comments
You cant do it in the COMMON market that i know of
It's possible to do both, but combining multiple computers into one supercomputer is not practical for most people. It's called a beowulf cluster, and it requires Linux, and there is essentially no consumer-level software that can use more than 2 CPUs.
Just to add some further confusion to this post =)), I (and several other members here) run 2 (or more) computers side by side through 1 keyboard 1 mouse and 1 monitor but the computers are NOT otherwise linked together. There's something called a KVM Switch (Keyboard Video Mouse) that can make it so you can run multiple computers off one "desktop" setup. KVM's come in 2 port, 4 port, and more, so that you can *control* multiple units - again, this does NOT link together their computing power.
That reminds me, I need to pick one of those up.
**Edit** I think MediaMan even reviewed this unit, back in Icrontic days, tho I can't find it with a brief search.