SMP Kernel performance?

[seph429]

Looking for ways to tweak my kernel i was wondering if running an SMP kernel on a single athlon xp system actually helps? i'm not really sure how it all works..

I had to turn it off to get reiser4 to work (using 2.6.9-nitro3) and i was wondering if it helped in system performance..

Also, some people are talking about having preemptable kernel disabled, i thought this was supposed to greatly increase system preformance.. are there really any reasons to not enable it?
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[Samuraibox - 2.6.9-ck3]
DFI Lanparty NFII Ultra B - Athlon XP-M 2500+ @ 2.37ghz (215x11)
ATI Radeon 9600 Pro AIW - 2x256mb DDR 9-4-4-2.5 (1:1 Ratio)

[NeddySeagoon]

seph429,

Running a SMP kernel on a single CPU box reduces performace, with the possible exception of a hyperthreading CPU box.

A preempttable kernel improves system responsiveness which is not the same thing as performance, by allowing the kernel to give up the CPU to allow something else to run. This may add extra task switching that actually reduces overall performance. I suppose it depends on what you mean by performance. Task switches perform no useful work themselves.
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Regards,

NeddySeagoon

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