Dual Processor systems?
- Thread starter cclark440
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warburton1
Senior Member
I have been running a dual processor system with alibre for over a year and the real bonus is not with Alibre's performance but more the ability to better multi task without the computer hanging up. I can compare the performance to my other computer which is a single processor of similar spec. The dual processor system does run quicker on all applications. I would put that down to the way windows workshares the processors rather than any particular application making use of the dual processors.
usicad.support
Member
Pentium 4 HT : less power
One consequence of the "one thread" programs like Alibre's kernel (many of other CAD or CAM systems) is that on a Pentium4 "HyperThreading" system, intensive calculation tasks run at half the maximum speed of the processor, because it use only one of the 2 decoding pipeline.
Of course, you can play minesweeper at 60 fps while computing ;-).
Even if not recommended, I tried Alibre Design on a AMD64 P3200+ processor with 1Go DDR400 ram, and it works very well. Unfortunately I have no P4 3200 to compare to.
BUT, I think Alibre (and the other (CAD)/CAM) should consider optimizing its software for multiprocessing because next generation high end workstations will mostly be dual processor, or at least next generation processors will be dual cores (ibm ppc is already, intel and amd will be soon).
If "heavy" softwares are not optimized, the may get no extra performance when running on such workstations !
S.CROCHON
USICAD
One consequence of the "one thread" programs like Alibre's kernel (many of other CAD or CAM systems) is that on a Pentium4 "HyperThreading" system, intensive calculation tasks run at half the maximum speed of the processor, because it use only one of the 2 decoding pipeline.
Of course, you can play minesweeper at 60 fps while computing ;-).
Even if not recommended, I tried Alibre Design on a AMD64 P3200+ processor with 1Go DDR400 ram, and it works very well. Unfortunately I have no P4 3200 to compare to.
BUT, I think Alibre (and the other (CAD)/CAM) should consider optimizing its software for multiprocessing because next generation high end workstations will mostly be dual processor, or at least next generation processors will be dual cores (ibm ppc is already, intel and amd will be soon).
If "heavy" softwares are not optimized, the may get no extra performance when running on such workstations !
S.CROCHON
USICAD
Even if AD were optimized for dual processors, that benefit alone wouldn't be enough to justify the cost, because the high-speed single processors do a good enough job with AD right now . . . I don't exactly have a state-of-the-art speed burner and I am satisfied with the performance . . .
As warburton1 stated, having that second processor is all about the "big picture" . . . until just the last few years, I couldn't have even dreamed of doing an FEA and running Excel or Visio (let alone a CAD program) at the same time . . . in fact, back then I actually had to have a second PC in order to accomplish that . . .
Dual processors rule . . .
Regards,
Greg
A
Anonymous
Guest
I have an opportunity to obtain a 3d Boxx graphics workstation with dual PIII 933mhz processors and 1.5gb of sdram. Currently I am using a PIII 1ghz with 512mb ram on my laptop. Do any of you think that I will notice a significant performance enhancement on this new system?
"Significant" difference -- I doubt it. Except for the RAM, and maybe the graphics card (which you did not mention the specs), it does not appear that you will see much difference. You said you have the opportunity to "obtain" this system. If "obtain" means paying money for it, I would think your money would be better spent towards a new system.
A
Anonymous
Guest
The system I can obtain has a scsi hard drive and an ati firegl2 64mb video card. My laptop has a standard ide hard drive and an ati radeon 7000 video card with 64mb ram. I can get the dual processor system for $150. I don't want to spend too much right now to upgrade to a "new" computer, but my laptop is maxed out in the ram department.
usicad.support
Member
dual processor systems
here they are :
intel just released its first dual core pentium, amd will do soon with its athlon.
If CAD-CAM are not optimized for multi-thread, do not expect a perf increase, but may be a perf __decrease__ ! because each core is slower because of thermal issue, or data feeding issue.
By the way, intel finaly put the amd's x86-64 extentions into its processors. Everybody will soon have 64 bits capable computer at home.
Microsoft should release W64 this year, longhorn may be 64 bit exclusive.
Which CAD-CAM will be the first to be ready ? Which CAD-CAM will be late ?
here they are :
intel just released its first dual core pentium, amd will do soon with its athlon.
If CAD-CAM are not optimized for multi-thread, do not expect a perf increase, but may be a perf __decrease__ ! because each core is slower because of thermal issue, or data feeding issue.
By the way, intel finaly put the amd's x86-64 extentions into its processors. Everybody will soon have 64 bits capable computer at home.
Microsoft should release W64 this year, longhorn may be 64 bit exclusive.
Which CAD-CAM will be the first to be ready ? Which CAD-CAM will be late ?