Linux - HardwareThis forum is for Hardware issues.
Having trouble installing a piece of hardware? Want to know if that peripheral is compatible with Linux?
Notices
Welcome to LinuxQuestions.org, a friendly and active Linux Community.
You are currently viewing LQ as a guest. By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics, receive our newsletter, use the advanced search, subscribe to threads and access many other special features. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today!
Note that registered members see fewer ads, and ContentLink is completely disabled once you log in.
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us. If you need to reset your password, click here.
Having a problem logging in? Please visit this page to clear all LQ-related cookies.
Get a virtual cloud desktop with the Linux distro that you want in less than five minutes with Shells! With over 10 pre-installed distros to choose from, the worry-free installation life is here! Whether you are a digital nomad or just looking for flexibility, Shells can put your Linux machine on the device that you want to use.
Exclusive for LQ members, get up to 45% off per month. Click here for more info.
just wondering, ive got a mates multiprocessor system that has just failed (dual slot 1 500's) and I was wondering if it would be ok to install a single processor motherboard p4 with a decent cpu (3.4 or similar). I dont know exactly what linux flavour he was using although I assume it would be RH or suse. Would switching from a multiprocessor system to a single processor system cause any issues, (kernal issues etc!?).
Distribution: Xubuntu 12.04, Mythbuntu, Ubuntu Server 12.04
Posts: 174
Rep:
Taken from the kernel help text on SMP:
-----<snip>------------------------------------------------------------
If you [disable SMP], the kernel will run on single and multiprocessor machines, but will use only one CPU of a multiprocessor machine.
If you [enable SMP], the kernel will run on many, but not all, single machines. On a singleprocessor machine, the kernel
will run faster if you [disable SMP].
-----<snap>------------------------------------------------------------
So it is probably, but not fully, safe to simply try out, but not the most efficient way.
Note that if you use a modern Hyperthreading CPU on the new board, you will also need a SMP kernel to make use of it. As far as Linux is concerned (on the level of kernel configuration), multiprocessor and hyperthreading are the same.
If you don't have a hyperthreading CPU, I suggest you install a non-SMP kernel while using the old motherboard, then change boards.
Would switching from a multiprocessor system to a single processor system cause any issues,
No the kernel should not have any problems. When running a single processor system, you will notice a little hesitation switching from one program to the next that you did not notice from using a multiprocessor system. Though in some cases you will want to re-compile the kernel without SMP for a single processor system if you care for more performance (better program scheduling).
I suggest AMD processors because they are cheaper and faster than Intel processors.
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing
Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute
content, let us know.