Problem with XEON E5430 quadcore processors

[sirr]

Hi,

 

i have some render computers with two E5345 cpu-s. They all work fine.

Now i bought the new one with E5430 cpu-s which should be ~1,2x faster.

The test results with different programs affirm that.

But render time in 3ds Max is 2,5x longer than with my old computers. Same result with different max files. The software configuration on all computers is identical.

Do you have any ideas?

[AJLynn]

Are all the cores running at 100%?

[sirr]

yes, all cores are 100%

 

And it does not depends of max/scene size. I am tested with different files. For example - bathroom 360 deg. rendering takes ~1 hour at old computers and 2,5 hour at the new one.

The same thing happens when i try DR or net rendering with Backburner.

 

edit: all computers have 2GB memory.

[AJLynn]

2gb isn't much. Use task manager to monitor RAM usage during a render and see how Max is coping. What Windows version is it?

[ihabkal]

maybe the cpus are spending a lot of time shuffling data from and to memory they don't get enough time to actually render.

[Fran]

If, with the same amount of ram on both computers, the same scene runs 2.5 times slower on the new system, then I don't think ram is the issue here.

[Fran]

He says his old systems with the same amount of ram render 2.5 times faster. Of course, when he says the specs are identical, I presume they have the same OS.

[cadmunkey]

I think the amount of RAM is the issue here, 2GB just seems very low for a render station. The new cpu maybe making use of the RAM differently somehow, I'm not sure, but one thing I am sure about is stick more RAM in there!

[quizzy]

count the memory sticks in your systems. The best way to go on a dual-quad core is having 8 memory banks filled. MAYBE your new systems just have 2 or maybe 4 banks filled and your older systems have 8...

but 2gb/8 is 256MB per memory stick, do they still make those??

[Fran]

yes, all cores are 100%

 

And it does not depends of max/scene size. I am tested with different files. For example - bathroom 360 deg. rendering takes ~1 hour at old computers and 2,5 hour at the new one.

The same thing happens when i try DR or net rendering with Backburner.

 

edit: all computers have 2GB memory.

 

So the size of the scene and amount of ram required doesn't matter? Even small scenes render more slowly? You are using Vray? What if you render with scanline? Is there a slowdown then too?

[Mike.]

that's a scary issue.

i am buying Xeons E5450 procs. i hope not to have same kind of issue.

i wouldn't immediatly know what to do.

[Fran]

This was posted recently on the Autodesk Area forum:

http://area.autodesk.com/index.php/forums/viewthread/20062/

 

Unfortunately, there didn't seem to be a solution offered.

[sirr]

The full new install with HDD full format solved the problem.

Remarkable that simple reinstalling didnt helped.

So seems like there was some driver or installation malfunction. So Mike, you don't have to afraid

 

Will post some render time comparisons between xeon quadqores after while.

 

Thanks to all!

[Fran]

Glad you solved the problem.

[AJLynn]

So this is a Windows problem?

 

I had the hard drive upgraded in my Macbook Pro and I was thinking of using some of the extra space to install Windows but now I'm thinking it would be better used on episodes of Battlestar Galactica (the old one with all the 70s hair and the red eyed robots).

[sirr]

so here are the results:

 

Intel Quad Core Xeon

2 x E5430 (2,66 GHz) 2GB RAM 1:16:22

2 x E5345 (2,33GHz) 3GB RAM 1:34:41

2 x E5345 (2,33GHz) 2GB RAM 1:35:12

2 x E5310 (1,6 GHz) 2GB RAM 2:10:30

2 x AMD Dual Core Opteron 265 2GB RAM 4:24:56

 

Btw, I have'nt seen any differences between 2 and 3 GB RAM yet. So, you can send me gert@3d.ee scenes which require at least 3GB to convince me.

Also if anybody is interested of render speed you can send me scenes for rendering. I use Viz 2008 and Vray.