I need to setup a server. The platform is planned to be Red Hat Linux 9.
A lot of computer simulation works will be done on the server.

I'm now choosing the processor for the server.
Should it be:

[A] 2 x Intel Xeon 2.8/512 - dual processors
[B] 1 x Intel Xeon 2.8/512 + 1 x Intel Xeon 2.4/512 - dual processors
[C] 1 x Intel Xeon 3.06/512 - single processor
[D] 1 x Intel Pentium4 3.X - single processor

Which is the fastest and which is the slowest?
Hope to get the idea of how the speed/performance be arranged accordingly from the fastest to the slowest.

By the way, what will be the other suggestions besides the list above?
Can Red Hat Linux 9 supports those processors?

Please comment.

Thank You!

P/S: One of my major target product is DELL PowerEdge 1600SC server.
http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/prod..._my&l=en&s=bsd

The Pentium 4 will be the fastest for the majority of normal taks, because it has the highest FSB. The Dual setups would be faster during computionally intesive processes, like 3d animation or looking through heavy databases, though faster hard drives would be better for a database server. So as far as performance, it depends what youre doing, but my list would go: A,B, D, & C, from fastest to slowest.
If I were you though, and you wanted the cutting edge, Id get a dual opteron system, and put the 64-bit version of Gentoo or Suse on there. Dell doesnt sell them yet, but HP and Sun do. And as far as ease of use compared to RH, Suse is just as easy, although Gentoo would probably be faster.
For a good review of both processors, check out this site's review:

And also, if you must have a Xeon, Id wait a few months till they go to the 90 nm process and have 64-bit support as well.