Parallel Query option on SMP-boxes. Yes or no?

Hi there,

At our site we are about to implement SMP-boxes of IBM. Now, Oracle claims that you need the Parallel Query Option to run smoothly on this machines.

I agree with that as long as the different processors of a SMP aren't highly occupied the've got enough time to spread and accept queries over several processors, but I'm not pretty sure that the effect of parallel query is as important when the different processors are already occupied for let's say 70%.

Because for our site with about 1000 concurrent Oracle users it would be a very big investement, I'd like to ask if there is someone who knows about benchmarks that give answers to my question or if they have experiences with this option and the performance gain at their own site.

Even some do's en don'ts would be highly appreciated.

I'd appreciate to receive any help.

Thanks in advance.

-- 
Gert Struyven
Manager DBA-departement
ABP
PO BOX 4862
6401 JP Heerlen
The Netherlands