Query - Running GIMPS on a 4 way system

2005-06-28, 05:50

Hi All

I currently run GIMPS as a service on a dual Xeon system and it works fine, a service runs on each CPU as if it were a single processor. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with running GIMPS on a 4 CPU Windows system - is this type of thing possible, like 4 instances of the program each assigned to an individual CPU?

Thanks!

garo · 2005-06-28, 08:19

As long as there are four physical CPUs - i.e. not hyperthreading - it should work though there will be a performance hit. You'll not get 4 time sthe amount of work per unit time but more like 2-3 times depending on the memory subsystem.

2005-06-28, 22:22

also if its duel core then be reminded that you should watch your heat.... 2 cores under the same heat spreader means you need to disipate a lot of heat. If its a 4x xeon machine show us some benchmarks

2005-06-29, 03:29

No problems - I anticipate I should have the hardware in a month or so. I will get some figures together - thank you for the responses.

Uncwilly · 2005-06-29, 21:12

You may want to set 1 or more to factoring to limit the hit on the memory requirements.

Peter Nelson · 2005-07-04, 03:35

Remember that Windows XP Professional is only licensed for 1 or 2 physical cpus (or 2 physical + 2 virtual hyperthreads).

For 4 physical cpus you will either need linux or a more expensive version of microsoft OS (you probably knew that).

Also if you're buying FOUR Xeons, you may want to remember that dualcore Xeons will be launched during first half of 2006, so it may depreciate! Or that in the meantime, benchmarks appeared to show one 840EE was comparable to a dual singlecore Xeon system in performance.

Paulie · 2005-07-04, 04:27

I ran Prime95 on a 4 way P3 Xeon 800mhz (1mb cache) with 4gb ram (Cpq DL580/g1) for a week or so just doing factoring. The box was unuseable on the console or remotely when running. Didn't try running any LL tests, I knew I didn't have the box for long.

I would think the multiprocessor Opteron's wouldn't take as much of a hit with the larger/better FSB.

2005-06-28, 05:50	#1
Unregistered 2·5·179 Posts	Query - Running GIMPS on a 4 way system Hi All I currently run GIMPS as a service on a dual Xeon system and it works fine, a service runs on each CPU as if it were a single processor. I am wondering if anyone has any experience with running GIMPS on a 4 CPU Windows system - is this type of thing possible, like 4 instances of the program each assigned to an individual CPU? Thanks!

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2005-06-28, 08:19	#2
garo Aug 2002 Termonfeckin, IE AD0₁₆ Posts	As long as there are four physical CPUs - i.e. not hyperthreading - it should work though there will be a performance hit. You'll not get 4 time sthe amount of work per unit time but more like 2-3 times depending on the memory subsystem.

2005-06-28, 22:22	#3
Unregistered 2·2,029 Posts	also if its duel core then be reminded that you should watch your heat.... 2 cores under the same heat spreader means you need to disipate a lot of heat. If its a 4x xeon machine show us some benchmarks

2005-06-29, 03:29	#4
Unregistered 10264₈ Posts	No problems - I anticipate I should have the hardware in a month or so. I will get some figures together - thank you for the responses.

2005-06-29, 21:12	#5
Uncwilly 6809 > 6502 """"""""""""""""""" Aug 2003 101×103 Posts 5×7×311 Posts	You may want to set 1 or more to factoring to limit the hit on the memory requirements.

2005-07-04, 03:35	#6
Peter Nelson Oct 2004 1000010001₂ Posts	Remember that Windows XP Professional is only licensed for 1 or 2 physical cpus (or 2 physical + 2 virtual hyperthreads). For 4 physical cpus you will either need linux or a more expensive version of microsoft OS (you probably knew that). Also if you're buying FOUR Xeons, you may want to remember that dualcore Xeons will be launched during first half of 2006, so it may depreciate! Or that in the meantime, benchmarks appeared to show one 840EE was comparable to a dual singlecore Xeon system in performance.

2005-07-04, 04:27	#7
Paulie Aug 2002 223 Posts	I ran Prime95 on a 4 way P3 Xeon 800mhz (1mb cache) with 4gb ram (Cpq DL580/g1) for a week or so just doing factoring. The box was unuseable on the console or remotely when running. Didn't try running any LL tests, I knew I didn't have the box for long. I would think the multiprocessor Opteron's wouldn't take as much of a hit with the larger/better FSB.