Fastest single core?

[ddrueding]

I'm dealing with an application that is very CPU intensive, and strictly single-threaded. This app is only 32-bit, and won't run on Vista x64 or any version of 7. I just threw it on the beast (8 hyper-threaded 2.4Ghz cores, 36GB RAM, SSDs, the works) running XP x64 and it is showing once core pegged (7% CPU util) for 10-20 minutes at a time while consuming <512MB (including OS).

If I end up using this app, it will need a dedicated machine due to OS and process time limitations. What is the fastest single core I can throw at it? My first instinct is an OC'd i7, but that seems an awful waste.

 

[MaxBurn]

Does it use optimizations that would be specific to any brand? Will cache size help?

A Core 2 Duo E8600 at 3.33GHz would be my pick where there is a budget involved at $269.

 

[time]

'Scuse my ignorance, but how does one saturated HT core equal 7% total?

 

[MaxBurn]

100% /8=12% so minus some overhead makes sense.

Our app does the same exact thing and while I have only seen it on quad core units so far they only report something like 18-20% total when maxed out.

 

[udaman]

I'm dealing with an application that is very CPU intensive, and strictly single-threaded. This app is only 32-bit, and won't run on Vista x64 or any version of 7. I just threw it on the beast (8 hyper-threaded 2.4Ghz cores, 36GB RAM, SSDs, the works) running XP x64 and it is showing once core pegged (7% CPU util) for 10-20 minutes at a time while consuming <512MB (including OS).

If I end up using this app, it will need a dedicated machine due to OS and process time limitations. What is the fastest single core I can throw at it? My first instinct is an OC'd i7, but that seems an awful waste.

So I take it U think the built in Turbo Boost function of the i7 is a waste? Six cores are coming, also a waste if sw is not multicore aware, them's the breaks .

Come on down, name that software!

Q begs, U have a 4GHz i7 in your sig, Y haven't U tried that, it's free U know?

A Core 2 Duo E8600 at 3.33GHz would be my pick where there is a budget involved at $269.

^Hasn't been vetted yet . And i7 920 will OC stable to 4GHz for same cost & it's replacement 930 is coming soon (CES?)

The best Intel will OC to 5GHz, or AMD Phenom II up to 6Ghz, but that's too far ahead in the discovery posting game, more info (is there any GPU involved at all?) as per usual SF style, is needed .

 

[LunarMist]

I have an E8600 very stable at 4.2GHz with a moderate heatsink. I'd expect the CPU to run at reasonable temps if only one core is used.

 

[ddrueding]

8 cores hyperthreaded is 16.

 

[LunarMist]

MS should fix that HT bug. Yet they can't get the copy time to work after a million years, so I'm not holding breath.

 

[ddrueding]

Thanks uda for the relatively concise reply I'd forgotten about the i7 Turbo Boost. I suppose I could dual-boot my machine for testing, but the runtime on these projects really cries out for a dedicated system. I'm thinking of just giving it a core on a VM server and not worrying about it. There seems to be no way of making it fast.

The program is Photomodeler. It is not multi-threaded, not 64-bit, and does not include GPU optimizations. It has a so-so GUI, but seems to be the only thing out there for creating 3D models from photographs (which is considerably cheaper than a laser scanner). I'm running some tests with it now, but each process is left either for a day or overnight.

 

[blakerwry]

If you have one at your disposal, you might do an AMD vs intel comparison. I've seen some (poorly optimized) tasks complete much faster (clock for clock) on AMD hardware vs intel.

 

[LunarMist]

Thanks uda for the relatively concise reply I'd forgotten about the i7 Turbo Boost. I suppose I could dual-boot my machine for testing, but the runtime on these projects really cries out for a dedicated system. I'm thinking of just giving it a core on a VM server and not worrying about it. There seems to be no way of making it fast.

The program is Photomodeler. It is not multi-threaded, not 64-bit, and does not include GPU optimizations. It has a so-so GUI, but seems to be the only thing out there for creating 3D models from photographs (which is considerably cheaper than a laser scanner). I'm running some tests with it now, but each process is left either for a day or overnight.

The first question I would ask ask is how much does it matter? Was a proper assessment of user requirements performed before the application was approved and implemented? Or this a case of inheriting some old junk that you must support?

 

[ddrueding]

A proper assessment of user requirements is often "hey, I need to do xyz. make it happen". It can also be as simple as me noticing that the way we do things now sucks, and exploring alternatives.

The app hasn't been implemented yet, but I'm evaluating if it is even feasible. If it is faster and more accurate to send out a survey team, this is dead in the water.

 

[LunarMist]

Wild wild west.

 

[Santilli]

1300-2700 dollars for a slow, 32 bit application????

 

[ddrueding]

Yup. Welcome to industrial computing. Sucks.

That project was scrapped, BTW.