how do I hook up two CPUs to one desktop?

Answer 1

Get a KVM (Keyboard-Video-Mouse) switch. This is very common in data centers. We have hundreds of servers connected to a single monitor, mouse, keyboard console. You can get them in 2 port versions or up to literally thousands of ports.

Answer 2

In most computers you can't. Too have two CPU's in one computer you need to be running a operating system that can support more that one CPU (e.g. Microsoft Windows XP Pro). Plus your mother board must have two CPU ports on it (Standard PCs don't). The CPU probably must be of the same type, and you would need to find a capable BIOS to run both CPU's.
So you would probably be better off buying a new computer with two CPU's already in it or a dual core processor, rather than upgrading an old PC.

Answer 3

I concur with Thomas P. If you want to see a Mother Board with two CPU Sockets as they are called just search Dual CPU mother boards. These are expensive. The Mobo, as the insiders say, it alone can cost $579.00. This is work station territory and a unit like this can support up to 16gig of ram. As Thomas stated though, for most peoples needs a dual core CPU can be cheap and effective. They have the added benefit of supporting hyper threading as well.

Answer 4

2 monitors? If that is the question - your video card must support two monitors (look on the back panel of your computer - there should be two video outputs for monitors). If not, you can add another video card or upgrade your video card.

Under desktop properties of Windows you can extend your environment across the 2 monitors - controlling either monitors resolution. Works great!

2 CPU's is dependent on the mother board inside your computer.

Answer 5

Start with a main logic board that can handle either the AMD dual core or the Intel duo core processors, or one that can handle 2 or more processors.

I have Pentium Slot 1 and Socket 370 boards made by ASUS and Intel, that have two CPU locations on board. Those were used in SERVERS at speeds up to 2.0 Ghz, so are coming on the market now, as they are replaced by the newer and faster multi core processors on new, faster, boards...

Those older boards do 'scream' in GNU/Linux, but, in XP Pro, they are CRAP, because the expensive Microsoft crapware is NOT true multi-tasking, multi-processor!

Microsoft corporation runs 45,000 multi processor computers on GNU/Linux, for hotmail.com, MSN.com, Microsoft.com and all corporate firewalls and routers.

GNU/Linux replaces upto 12 Microsoft Servers with one GNU/Linux server, plus, runs upto 50X faster, and is able to perform true balancing of running multi-users on multi-processors!.

Because over 84% of all internet servers run Unix or BSD, or Linux, all those Professional grade boards were built to take advantage of the special built-in speed features of those 'Nix's!

I prefer http://pclinuxos.com for this purpose. It contains all the drivers and all the 'Server Programs' on one FREE LiveCDrom.
It also installs and manages the GUI for the old and the new CRT and LCD monitors!

I bought my boards from salvage dealers, and on ebay. They cost a bit more. If you want the NEW main board/processor technology, try http://pricewatch.com for comparisons of hundreds of dealers!

CAUTION, the Power Supply connectors usually need the 24 pin connectors, NOT the 20 pin on most server boards and the newer boards!

PLUS, you need to make sure you use a true 500+ watt rated, (not the inflated and lying advertising specs!) Power Supply! Each processor can require up to 120 watts! Wimpy PSUs can cause failure! I prefer at least 1Gb of RAM! 512Mb will work, but, remember, it is shared between two processors!

Check out the PSU shoot-out comparisons annual tests, in all the CPU Builders Magazines, and at http://Anandtech.com , or
http://TomsHardware.com or in a search of http://google.com !!!

Always use a real credit card, or paypal, to purchase, NEVER M.O. or Check!!!, after reading the independant ratings of the vendors, on independant places like http://resellerratings.com

A similar capable MAC PRO Intel Duo with all professional software included, costs about $2900.00.

An equivalent Dell Dimension IntelDuo costs $4240.00 AFTER REBATES, and the trial software will cost an added $650 to "activate" all the anti-virus, and Pro, software.

With GNU/Linux, Purchasing all new hardware on the Internet, you can do this for less than about $1200.00 to $1800.00.

If you are simply learning the multi processing scene, and buy the pre-built low end AMD dual core systems, you can be running, at 2Ghz, NOT 4Ghz, for less than $800.00!

Answer 6

theres a network cable it is like a telephone wire with 8 wires in it if you have high speed that is the connection to use if you dont have the 8 wire connections on both units you cannot do it windows should recognize the connections and direct you accordingly.

Answer 7

why? get an upgrade or upgrade the memory and the isp speed...youll probably never notice the difference.