using your RAM to the eXtreme

[TAKA]

hey guys.

i just got a new PC:

single 2.8 GHZ with Hyperthreading.

intel 865 chipset

2 GB DDR 400 RAM

2 SATA 80 GB HDD

running win 2K with SP3.

 

i wanted to test the new memory usage, so i opened the "anibal" scene file and tried to render the animation.

 

the render in progress displays a usage of only 380 MB of RAM but with a virtual memory at 560 MB

 

????? why is that?

how can i take full advantage of the 2 GB

 

also, how do i enable Hyperthreading and how does max handle it? (ie, do i need to turn on some feature in max??)

 

thx guys

 

PS: my virtual memory is set by default in the hadware performance of My Computer at 2048 MB if u need to know....

[Geoff]

I've noticed the same thing on my new machine

 

Asus mobo

1 Gb ram

3.0 Ghz intel proc

XP pro (for my sins)

 

It never seems to use all my physical memeory.

 

There is a multi-threading button in the prefs, rendering tab (well in max 4 there is). On my PC I get 2 proc boxes in task manger even though I have only the one!

 

Geoff

[Jennifer]

Hi,

 

The 3.06gHz P4 is Hyper Threading, and will show up as two processors in the Task Manager. You do need to turn on Multi-Threading in the Customize-Preferences->Rendering tab in order for max to utilize multithreading.

 

On a single CPU system I'm not sure if you'll get any extra performance out of a hyperthreading CPU. You still have one chip running at 3gHz. The benefit you'll see is that single-threading applications won't be able to monopolize the full CPU power, and you'll see overall smoother performance. Dual CPU and hyper-threading processors will have some additional operating system overhead which will reduce the total throughput. Two 3gHz CPUs won't give you full 6gHz of power because of the overhead. Expect 80-90%.

 

I have to beleive that if you use your computer for other purposes while rendering you would want to leave the multi-threading off on 3ds. Since I don't have one of these CPUs perhaps you can do some test renderings? I would be interesting to know if there are any improvements with the setting on vs. off.

 

[ July 31, 2003, 10:19 AM: Message edited by: Jennifer ]