[linux-audio-user] A machine for live gigging?

[Steve Harris]

On Tue, Feb 17, 2004 at 10:47:13PM -0500, David L. Craig wrote:
> I don't understand why an SMP configuration is not recommended.  You're
> always going to have critical kernel tasks that have got to have cycles
> when they need them.  If you have an extra processor or three available
> to handle those requests, aren't your applications needs going to be
> satisfied better than with a single processor?  Have any benchmarks
> been performed to answer this question?

Yes, SMP systems are generally good for linux audio, but:

1) extra heat is hard to remove quietly
2) less well tested, so sometimes there are latency / stability problems
3) this guy wanted something for gigs, so size/weight is an issue
4) cost

If the obove are not an issue to you, then SMP is great. I'm upset that
theres nothing to replace the PIII that had SMP as standard and led to
cheap, reliable, desktop SMP motherboards.

- Steve