The processing power of your computer or laptop is one of the most important specifications to pay attention to. If you only need your device for browsing or basic programs, you won’t need to worry much about the potential of your CPU. However, the processing power becomes the main issue if you use complex programs.

You can put two CPUs in any computer with a dual-CPU motherboard, with an extra socket for a second processor. These devices are expensive and require a lot of energy to work, but they can provide more power and storage for you. Most users don’t need them unless they perform very complex tasks.

Is A Dual Processor Motherboard Worth It?

People looking for more processing power can try using computers with dual-CPU motherboards. These computers are not new. They have existed for some time but weren’t available for typical computer users. Instead, dual-CPU computers were used for servers or workstations.

Nowadays, several manufacturers offer computers with dual-CPU motherboards that can be used by one willing to pay significantly more for this added processing power. While they are not necessary for most users, they can be useful for some people who need to perform more complicated tasks on their devices.

Dual-CPU motherboards have an extra socket for a second processor to add more processing power if needed. The second processor should be the same as the first. Otherwise, the computer may experience issues.

While dual-CPU motherboards can be very useful for certain purposes, including streaming or video editing, they are not really necessary. Nowadays, a single processor can be powerful enough to handle certain complicated tasks if you know what to look for.

Getting a dual-CPU motherboard is worth it if you need a lot of processing power for tasks like video editing, animation rendering, and similar processes that are extremely burdensome on a CPU. However, in most cases, you can find cheaper single-processor motherboards that may do the job adequately.

Can I Use Two CPUs on Any Computer?

Dual-CPU motherboards are present in workstations and servers but can also become part of regular user computers. Any computer can have two CPUs if it has the right motherboard. The question shouldn’t be about the whole computer but the motherboard, where the CPU is located.

If your computer has a motherboard supporting multiple processors, it can become a dual-CPU device. On the other hand, if the motherboard of your device doesn’t support more than one CPU, your computer will not be able to use two processors.

The reverse is possible; if you have a motherboard that supports two processors, it will be able to use only one if needed with no problem. All computers are equipped to use one processor, but few can work with two.

What Can You Use Your Dual-CPU Motherboard For?

Extra processing power is always needed nowadays for professionals who use extremely complicated programs and those who like playing video games, editing media, or streaming content. As programs become more detailed and complicated, they require more CPU work.

Understandably, processor technology has advanced alongside these programs, so nowadays, single CPU motherboards can handle many tasks very well. However, they can become overwhelmed at specific points of the process, resulting in your device slowing down or even turning off suddenly.

As a result, you may need more processing power. This can come in the form of a more powerful CPU, but if you’ve hit the ceiling for single CPU processing power, you can try adding a second processor. You are more likely to need a dual CPU motherboard in cases like:

Video editing. Typical devices can handle most common video editing programs, but you need much more processing power if you want professional editing of high-quality footage.
Streaming. Streaming video games or any other process on your computer requires much processing power. A second CPU may be the solution to your problem.
Rendering animation. Animation can be very complicated, so a CPU with insufficient power cannot handle it. A dual-CPU motherboard can help you render animations fast and smoothly, at a higher quality.
Making video games. If you create video games, you may need two processors to create different aspects of your game without your computer slowing down.
Creating simulations. If you work in a field that requires simulation programs, which typically need a lot of processing power, you may need to consider a PC with two CPUs.

Are Dual-CPU Motherboards Necessary for Gaming?

As you may have noticed, although video game making is included on the list of tasks that can be improved by dual CPU, gaming itself is not. This may sound odd because video games require a lot of processing power, just like all the tasks mentioned above. Why does gaming not require dual-CPU?

While video games may not be handled well by a single, regular CPU, they can work just fine with a more powerful processor, like the ones you can find in gaming laptops. A dual-CPU motherboard doesn’t make much difference because video games are not designed to work with two processors.

Most video games are designed to be handled by a single processor, so even though the extra processing power from the second CPU will be there for the taking, the game will not be able to take much advantage of it. If anything, it may slow down a bit or lose image quality.

Modern CPUs with multiple cores are more than enough for most video games. However, the only case where you might need a second processor for gaming is when you have a very powerful GPU and need processing power to take advantage of it. A dual-CPU motherboard may be worth the money in such a case.

What Are the Benefits of Dual Processors?

The main advantage that a dual-CPU motherboard offers you is more processing power. This power can solve multiple issues you might be dealing with when using only one CPU. Here are some benefits of dual-CPU motherboards:

A second processor means that more CPU cores will be added. Your computer will be able to handle several different tasks simultaneously with no problem.
In addition to more processing power, you can take advantage of more storage space since an added CPU will allow your system more room for permanent storage.
Programs previously used to make your computer slow down or freeze will be able to work perfectly and fast, just like any other basic program on your computer.
An extra CPU will mean greater PCI Express, translating to more bandwidth. As a result, your GPU would work at its peak, offering high-quality game-playing or animation rendering.
The addition of a second processor would mean more RAM capacity. As a result, the general performance of your computer would improve significantly, helping you work smoothly and efficiently even in more complex programs.
Thanks to the added processor, you can use parallel processing for specific programs that require it, especially rendering and simulation programs.

It’s worth repeating that you can take advantage of some of these advantages even if you upgrade your CPU. Multiple-core CPUs can help you achieve excellent performance even with a single processor. However, their power is limited compared to two processors, so depending on how much power your tasks require, you may need to choose a dual-CPU motherboard.

Potential Disadvantages

As I just explained, there are several benefits that you could take advantage of if you were to buy a dual-CPU motherboard for your computer. However, a few disadvantages make dual-CPU motherboards unsuitable for a few situations. After all, there must be a reason why these devices are still pretty rare among regular users.

Let’s see the main disadvantages of dual-CPU motherboards:

Not All Programs Can Take Advantage of Parallel Processing

Some processes and programs may require more processing power but may not be able to take advantage of the parallel processing benefits that dual-CPU motherboards offer. Only more advanced programs can use parallel processing, so the extra CPU may not be useful for most tasks.

Two Processors Require Much More Energy To Work

A second processor requires just as much energy to run as the first one, so a dual-CPU motherboard may be very inefficient in terms of energy consumption. Your computer will draw more electricity to work with an additional processor. The energy that dual-CPU motherboards require may affect your energy bills.

Your Device May Overheat More Quickly

An additional problem resulting from the extra energy required to run two processors is that the chances of your device overheating increase. CPUs generate significant amounts of heat, slowing your device or damaging it permanently. One CPU overheating is an issue, but two can become dangerous much faster.

You Will Not Be Able To Take Advantage of Two CPUs for Gaming

As mentioned above, two CPUs don’t make much of a difference in gaming. Video games are among those programs that can’t take advantage of the parallel process explained previously. As a result, they will not be faster or smoother once you use a second processor. Thanks to this addition, you may experience lagging problems or a lower FPS.

Dual-CPU Motherboards Are Much More Expensive

The processor is one of the most important parts of your computer, so understandably, it costs quite a lot to produce. A computer with two CPUs can be much more costly than a regular one because of the added processing power.

You can find a great, basic PC for under $800, but even the best ones are under $4000. Laptop prices vary, but the most high-end gaming laptops with plenty of processing power cost around $5,000. A computer with two processors can cost $10,000. Any cheaper option may not be worth buying.

Should I Choose a Dual-CPU Motherboard?

If you’re considering buying a computer with a dual-CPU motherboard, weigh all the pros and cons and understand what you want your computer to do. Considering everything I have explained in this article, you can make an informed decision.

In most cases, you won’t need a computer with two CPUs. Modern CPUs with multiple cores can handle multiple tasks easily and cost much less. If you’re a gamer, there is no point in investing in a computer with two CPUs since you won’t benefit from it significantly.

However, if you work with special rendering or simulation programs that require a lot of processing power and could benefit from the extra abilities of two CPUs, buying such a device would be worth it. A computer with two CPUs is usually only necessary for servers or workstations.