Maya is not optimized for dual processors, it's not yet multithread. unless u are doing extensive rendering, go with a dual. otherwise maya will run the same on a single processor @ 3.06 and a 3.06 dual, but rendering time will be different. so u can save a lot of cash by getting a single hyperthread 3.06. and yea research and decide what the primary purpose of your system. if u r a pro then u need a lot of power, otherwise if u r just learning, by the time u know enough to really need that much power, like the specs u posted; PCs will be 3 times faster and probably a lot cheaper than 5 grand.Originally posted by lonepig
Multi-processor systems can run any software that a normal single processor software. The benifit comes when the program is written to use 2+ processors, such as Maya.
and 64 bit is the next "big" thing, so u can invest in a single opteron and get great performance.
, but I also have to take issue with the 64 bit argument right now. Until there is adequate software to support the 64bit standard, it will not significantly outperform a 32bit system... and until Intel announce their 64bit offering (sometime in March), there will be only minor 64bit support. I certainly didn't see any mention of it in the Maya 6 files that were recently posted here.
)
... but until then, serious students have serious loans and serious bills. 
