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Subject: Re: Shredder 7 and Hyperthreading

Author: Robert Hyatt

Date: 07:09:27 01/13/04

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On January 13, 2004 at 10:02:14, Jasmine Baer wrote:

>Hello.
>
>Time for another question about the effects of hyperthreading (Intel P4) on
>chess engine performance.
>
>One of Shredder's parameters allows 1 or two threads.  It defaulted to 2
>threads, so when I was playing a game, I noticed that my CPU utilization was at
>or very near 100% during the game.  If I set the number of threads to 1,
>utilization is more similar to my other chess engines - hovering at, or slightly
>above 50%.
>
>Because running two threads pushes CPU utilization to 100%, my CPU runs a bit
>hotter.  After a 5 minute blitz game with 2 threads, I get readings of 51-52
>degrees Celsius, whereas if I run with only 1 thread, I get readings that are
>about 2-3 degrees lower at the end of the game.
>
>Does running Shredder with 2 threads on a Hyperthreading Intel P4 processor (2.8
>Ghz) increase Shredder's strength?  If it does, I can see running it with two
>threads, but if it doesn't make the engine stronger, why make the CPU run 2-3
>degrees hotter?
>
>Thanks for any feedback anyone can provide.
>
>-JTB
>
>PS - I can run my own tournaments to see how Shredder performs with 1 thread or
>2 threads, but I was hoping some of you out there have already done something
>similar and have reached a conclusion that you can share with me.


First, I can't imagine why you are worrying about 2-3 degrees.  20-30 might
be more interesting.

Second, why not set up a position on Shredder, and run it to a fixed search
depth.  Use 1 thread, then 2 threads and see which is faster.  That will answer
your question.



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