Updated at: 16-06-2023 - By: Leo Hall
You may have noticed motherboards with more than one CPU socket and wondered if they were good for gaming. In this manual, we delve deeply into the topic.

Answer:

You can put it to use, but it’s hardly a bargain. You don’t need any more than four CPU cores for today’s games, and you can get that many in a single mid-range CPU.

Additionally, servers, high-end workstations, and game streamers are the only users who can truly benefit from a motherboard with two processors.

Motherboards that accommodate two processors are actually available. They are not, however, widely available to the general public.

So, now that you know such motherboards exist, you may be wondering what, if any, advantages they may have for gaming.

Don’t worry if you don’t understand what a dual-processor motherboard is or why you’d want to buy one. In this article, we will discuss every aspect of the subject at hand.

The Benefits Of Having A Dual-Processor Motherboard

It should go without saying that having a motherboard that supports dual processors means you can run two processors at once. But what advantages do two CPUs have over one?

Can You Use A Dual Processor Motherboard For Gaming? [Guide]

To begin with, the increased multitasking and raw processing power that comes from a dual-CPU motherboard is well worth the price. It also allows for higher memory and PCIe bandwidth. Additionally, these motherboards typically feature extra PCIe and RAM slots, allowing for the installation of additional expansion cards and boosting the maximum RAM capacity to 256 GB.

But the real query is…

Do You Need It For Gaming?

To put it briefly, no.

You can learn more about the ideal number of CPU cores for gaming by doing research, but for the time being, six is the sweet spot. Below, we will go into greater detail about this and the other advantages of a dual-processor motherboard.

What Does A CPU Do In Games?

The central processing unit serves multiple purposes when running games. Its primary purpose is to instruct the GPU on what to render and when to do it. The graphics processing unit (GPU) is responsible for rendering the images.

Aside from that, the central processing unit (CPU) manages everything happening in the game, including enemy artificial intelligence, in-game events, asset loading and reading from the hard drive or solid state drive, etc. Though it may sound laborious, modern multi-core CPUs can accomplish this with little to no extra effort required.

When selecting a CPU, the only thing you should care about is whether or not it will bottleneck the GPU. When one component’s processing power is significantly less than another, we say that performance is bottlenecking. Because the CPU is unable to keep up, a portion of your GPU’s capacity will be unused and sitting idle.

However, keep in mind that even the most powerful Intel i7 CPU will only marginally bottleneck four GTX 1080 Ti cards in SLI. However, if you can afford four GTX 1080 Ti cards, you should also consider purchasing a slightly larger motherboard and an additional CPU.

How Important Is RAM In Games?

The amount of RAM required for gaming is a topic we’ve covered before because it’s such a common one.

So, what function does it serve (if any) in gaming?

The loading screen you see is the CPU reading game data from the hard drive or solid state drive into the RAM. Given the absurdly fast read speeds of RAM compared to those of HDDs and SSDs, this enables instantaneous access to the aforementioned resources.

To give you an idea of how fast SSDs are, the average read speed of a modern HDD is 100 MB/s, while the average read speed of a typical SSD is around 500 MB/s. And RAM? Data transfer rates of 25 GB/s can be expected from a modern DDR4 RAM module operating at 3200 GHz.

We have previously determined that 8 GB of RAM is sufficient for the smooth operation of modern games that have been properly optimized (that is, not a jumbled, clumsily ported mess). However, dual-processor motherboards’ 256 GB RAM capacity and eight RAM slots are excessive.

How Much PCIe Bandwidth Do You Need For Games?

Graphics cards and many other types of expansion cards (sound cards, internal modems, and adapters, to name a few) require PCIe slots in order to function.

However, as was previously mentioned, a regular ATX or E-ATX motherboard will provide more than enough slots and bandwidth for four GTX 1080 Ti graphics cards. When it comes down to it, this is a feature that is essential for servers that process enormous amounts of data.

5 Best Dual CPU Motherboard – you can find [2023]

1. ASUS WS C621E Dual Motherboard

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The ASUS WS C621E has ten SATA ports and two CPU slots. The model allows for the use of multiple GPUs, which can significantly boost output. It’s a great option for gamers, as it provides outstanding gaming performance using only a single GPU mode.

This motherboard has 2X gigabit ethernet ports, making it a great choice for a home server. The input/output (I/O) panel has all the necessary connections and can handle about 1.5 terabytes of data.

Specifications:

  • LGA 2066 is the CPU socket.
  • The DDR4 standard for RAM memory.
  • Intel C621 chipset.
  • Wi-Fi Standard: 802.11n.
  • There are 10 x SATA 6Gb/s ports and 3.1 USB Type-C and Type-A ports.
  • Four-way SLI and CrossFireX support multi-GPU configurations.
  • 140 watts.
  • Memory is a DDR4 12Gb DIMM.
  • PCI-Express x16 is the interface for graphics cards.
  • One M.2, four U.2, and ten SATA hard drives.
  • Connectivity to the Internet is provided by a dual gigabit local area network.
  • There are seven PCIe 3.0 x16 expansion slots.
  • The package measures 16.26 by 4.06 by 14.73 inches.

Pros:

  • Maximum allowable storage space is 1536 GB.
  • Excellent work.
  • The super tower is equipped with a Cooler Master HAFX.

Cons:

  • The quality of customer service is subpar.

A warranty card, software drivers, and an instruction manual are included in the package as well. The premium materials and meticulous construction of this model result in remarkable efficiency.

2. ASUS Z10PA-D8(ASMB8-IKVM) Dual LGA2011-v3 CPU Server Motherboard

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The ASUS Z10PA-D8 is a solid choice for multitasking, and it comes highly recommended. There is no need to worry about space if you go with this model because it has 10 SATA connections and 1 M.2 connection on the motherboard.

Better customization options are available to those who use this model. The premium components used in its construction allow it to be both small and highly effective.

Possible Interest in Our Article CPU Motherboard Bundle

Z10PA-D8 | Servers & Workstations | ASUS USA

Specifications:

  • Dual LGA 2011-v3 is the CPU socket.
  • DDR4 Random Access Memory
  • Memory: Quad Channel, 8x DDR4-2133/1866/1333/1333 1333.
  • Intel C612 Chipset
  • Windows and Linux are supported.
  • Temperature range of 10°C to 35°C for use.
  • Inactive Temperature Range: -40°C to 70°C
  • Connectors: 4 USB 3.0 Ports (two on the back, two on the header), 4x USB 2.0 Ports (two on the back, two on the header), a PS/2 port for a keyboard and mouse, a VGA port, two RJ45 LAN ports, and a management LAN port.
  • Two USB 2.0 ports are included.
  • Support for SATA RAID levels 0 through 5 on Windows only; RAID levels 0 through 10 on Windows and Linux.
  • The package measures 13.74 by 3.72 by 11.77 inches.

Pros:

  • Supports up to 512GB of RAM.
  • Includes the latest drivers.
  • Extremely robust and powerful.
  • Cost-effective.

Cons:

  • lacks support for UEFI BIOS.

This tool is great for use in both large and small businesses. It has full remote server administration and provides quick initialization guidance.

3. SuperMicro H11DSi-NT

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Users who prefer to work with AMD processors will find that SuperMicro H11DSi-NT caters to their needs. Due to its chipset layout and narrow slot disparity, this board is ideal for data processing. Before powering on the system, users can access the console through HTML5, Java, or Serial-over-LAN thanks to the capabilities of this board.

If you don’t need a fleet of expensive GPS devices, that’s fine. You can get great gaming performance from just a single powerful GPU. However, this model does not include audio chips, so you will need to buy a separate audio card.

Specifications:

  • SoC means “system on a chip,” which is another name for a chipset.
  • 16 DIMMs of registered ECC DDR4 2666MHz SDRAM.
  • Ten SATA3 ports, one M.2, and two SATA DOM ports.
  • In terms of storage, you can count on 1 M.2, 10 SATA, and 2 NVMe OCuLink drives.
  • Use between 10 and 35 degrees Celsius (50 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit).
  • Two PCIe 3.0 x16 and three PCIe 3.0 x8 slots are available for additional hardware.
  • The size of its memory is 2048 GB.
  • Processors from the AMD EPYC 7000 series, in pairs
  • Connectivity is ensured by two 10GBase-T LAN ports.
  • Quickness: BMC Graphics AST2500.
  • 12 by 13 by 2 inches is how big this product is.
  • Total 2.2 pound weight.

Pros:

  • Includes a bios version of 2.0 B.
  • Exhibits a wide variety of novel features.
  • Built like a tank

Cons:

  • Extremely pricey.
  • Doesn’t work with SLI or crossfire.

There are two OCuLink headers and a standard M.2 port on this device, allowing you to connect additional NVMe drives. Bios updates can also be performed using the web-based user interface.

4. Andifany X79 Dual CPU LGA2011 Motherboard

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Andifany is a relatively new player in the industry, but its dual motherboard guarantees high quality at a reasonable price. As a professional-grade board, the Andifany X79 Dual CPU LGA2011 Motherboard uses DDR3 memory technology rather than DDR4.

The model has a large double heat sink and dual CPU drivers. In addition to the solid-state capacitor, this motherboard also includes a dual PCI-E image card. This board features seven storage Slots, making it ideal for users who need to keep a lot of data on their system.

Specifications:

  • Socket for Processors: LGA 2011
  • Processor Idle: X79-Series
  • DDR3 Random Access Memory
  • Type ATX Motherboard
  • Gigabit Ethernet
  • Two SATA 3.0 ports and four SATA 2.0 ports are included.
  • Slot for PCI Express 3.0 16X Dual Interface Graphics Card
  • There are two USB 2.0 ports and six USB 3.0 ports.
  • 7.1 Channel CPU Slot
  • Two 8-pin connectors and one 24-pin connector are used for the power supply.
  • Expansion Port: 7 7 volts
  • LGA2011x2 Processor Specs
  • DDR3 memory, four slots, four channels
  • Speeds of 1866/1600/1333/1066 in Memory
  • PCIE X4 3.0 NVME M.2 Interface
  • Technology: printed circuit board
  • Maximum Memory: 32GB (four 16GB DDR3 DIMMs).

Pros:

  • Black color option is available.
  • Priced within a reasonable range.
  • Manifests a compact physical size.

Cons:

  • Not enough room to accommodate more than 128GB of RAM.
  • Contains an antiquated microchip set.

The X79 chipset on this board has eight USB ports, making it ideal for work. This provides a wide variety of options for connecting extra hardware.

5. X99 Dual CPU Server Motherboard LGA2011-3

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Settencas isn’t a household name, but its dual motherboard has a good price and performs similarly to the competition. Settencas X99 Dual CPU Server Motherboard LGA2011-3 makes use of an old X99 chip, but this is necessary so that the CPU socket can accommodate modern Intel Xeon processors.

This board features eight USB ports and is designed for use with professional workstations. This is helpful in situations where there is a higher demand for add-ons.

Specifications:

  • E-ATX processor.
  • RAM DDR4 Memory Technology.
  • PCI Express 3.0 16X graphics slot.
  • Standard 24-pin Power Input Connector.
  • No integration of graphics processing units.
  • Eight (4) completely separate DDR4 memory slots.
  • Integrated network adapter that can handle gigabit speeds.
  • Dual power supply with six phases, allowing for expansion.
  • NVMe PCIe X4 3.0 M.2 interface.
  • DDR4 3000/2666/2400/2133MHz memory.
  • A USB 3.0 x 6USB 2.0 x 86 (expandable) interface
  • Memory timings: 3000/2666-2400-2133.
  • Six SATA 3.0 ports.
  • 2 LGA2011-3 Processors

Pros:

  • Compatibility levels are higher.
  • improves the experience for the user.
  • Affordable choice.
  • Included in eight compartments.

Cons:

  • CPU slots are limited to 5.1 channels.
  • The socket is awkwardly shaped.

This motherboard’s compact size allows for significant space savings. Two M.2 slots and six SATA3 slots combine to give you plenty of room for your data.

Buying Guide About The Best Dual Motherboard

Let’s take a look at some of the factors that should be taken into account before making such a substantial financial commitment.

  • Memory:

Memory is an essential component of any modern computer. When developing memory-intensive software, dual-motherboard setups are the norm. If there isn’t enough RAM, the server could become unresponsive or crash entirely.

  • Socket:

The sockets on a dual-motherboard are crucial because of their function. It’s important to think about the processor brand when shopping for a dual socket motherboard. The main reason for this is the fundamentally different architecture used by AMD and Intel processors.

Both of these manufacturers also need separate infrastructure designed for their various chip generations and quality levels.

  • Storage:

It’s likely that you’ll need to adhere to some kind of storage stipulation in the majority of situations. Using a dual-motherboard system for database management necessitates a large amount of space on the system drive.

The storage slots on some models can be repurposed as adapter slots. You can think of this as an alternative storage compartment or as a way to acquire more space for your belongings. Simply put, you can expand your storage capacity by converting your M.2, U.2, and SATA slots.

  • Chipset:

A dual motherboard’s Chipset is an area that is frequently disregarded by users. The chipset plays a crucial role in data pathing and transfer on single-processor motherboards.

Huananzhi X79-8d Cpu Lga2011 Lga 2011 Motherboard With Dual Processor Ddr3  Suitable For Server Memory And Server Cpu - Motherboards - AliExpress

When it comes to motherboards with two slots, the significance of the chipset depends on the available slot and the variable clock speeds. It also differs depending on the specifics of the system setup.

  • PCI-E:

Users typically overlook the PCI-E slots when choosing a dual motherboard due to the technical complexity involved. GPU slots refer to this type of PCI Express slot. Finding a dual-processor motherboard with sufficient GPU power is essential if you intend to use it for computer-generated imagery (CGI) or video rendering.

In other situations, you could put wireless cards or adapters in them, or even use them as storage.

FAQ For The Best Dual Motherboard

Q. Are Dual Motherboards Suitable for Gaming?

When it comes to games, the Dual processor doesn’t have to do much of the heavy lifting. However, make sure the CPU isn’t limiting the performance of the GPU.

Q. Is It Worth Getting A Dual Motherboard For Your System?

If you don’t use your computer for intensive workstation tasks or to stream games, you probably don’t need a motherboard with two processors. Business-to-business (B2B) settings, such as those frequented by system builders and integrators, make extensive use of these boards.

Keep in mind that the board and processor for a dual-processor system will set you back a pretty penny. As a result, you should think carefully before making such a substantial financial commitment.

Q. Why Dual Motherboards Are Not There For Threadripper And Ryzen CPUs?

Threadripper and Ryzen central processing units are primarily aimed at prosumers and consumers. Dual-motherboard systems are not particularly popular among consumers in this sector. The threadripper CPUs have 64 cores, making them very potent for everyday use.

The Final Word

Finally, keep in mind that no game is designed to run on two CPUs at once. Even though multi-core CPUs have been around for a decade, most game developers still don’t bother optimizing their games for even dual cores. Therefore, if you were to play a game on a dual-CPU motherboard, one of the CPUs would be either idle or handling other tasks while the other was processing the game.

The bottom line is that motherboards with two processors are not useful for gaming. Spending money on a mother board and two processors for the sole purpose of gaming is ridiculous. These motherboards are designed for high-end workstations and servers that require a great deal of processing speed and the ability to run multiple programs simultaneously.

A single Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor is more than adequate for most gamers, and a Core i7 is needed only for multi-GPU configurations.

Streaming while playing a game is an obvious exception to this rule. Although a dual-CPU motherboard would be sufficient, many streamers still use two computers, one for gaming and one for streaming. This justifies the purchase of a dual-CPU motherboard for gaming purposes.