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Subject: Re: Shredder 7 and Hyperthreading

Author: Jasmine Baer

Date: 07:20:30 01/13/04

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On January 13, 2004 at 10:09:27, Robert Hyatt wrote:

>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.

I will go home after work and load up the test set that comes with the Chessbase
engines.  I'll run it with 1 thread and then 2 threads.  That should provide
enough info to see what the effect of the additional thread is.

As far as the temperature goes, the cooler I can keep the processor, the happier
I am.  Don't really know why - I just like to see how cool I can keep it when
running at a full load.  An odd obsession, I guess.




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