X3, multi-processors and hyper-threading

[Tadjio]

After Joelle drew me into the conversation about the performance of X3, I decided to test it out by observing the Windows Task Manager Performance screen.

I use Windows 7 64-bit Home Premium and I have Intel Core i7 CPU @ 2.8GHz Quad Processors with Hyper-Threading and 8Gb of RAM.

(Previously I had X2 on a dual-core Vista 32 bit PC so I really appreciate the difference now).

My test involved loading 4 images (pre-processed from RAW in DPP) and then running Digital Camera Noise Reduction (DCNR) on one image.

I have noticed a massive improvement in processing time for DCNR since changing my configuration and software (seconds rather than minutes).

Image0 (idle) shows the Performance screen before starting DCNR.
Image1 (DCNR) shows a spike / peak across all processors when DCNR is launched and processing.
Image2 (OK) shows the performance screen just after I press OK for the DCNR.

[teknisyan]

Thanks for the info Tadjio!

[davidc502]

Thanks for showing us how PSP seems to be working well with Intel. Well, for AMD 6 core not so much.

The maximum PSP X3 will take from my 6 core processor is about 17%. Do the math and it adds up to one core. I can set affinity and it is 1 processor core - confirmed.

was opening 6 RAW photos into full editor when I took this snapshot.

[Tim Morrison]

David, I love to see a screen shot of the "Performance" tab while you ran Digital Camera Noise Reduction on one image. It would be best to get all the raw images opened and through the Raw Lab first... or use six big TIFs or JPEGs instead. The Raw Lab is a cripple, bolted on version of DCRaw, so anything you see while opening raw images might be a reflection of the deficiencies of DCRaw, or just one more example of how badly Corel has used it.

[Tadjio]

David, I love to see a screen shot of the "Performance" tab while you ran Digital Camera Noise Reduction on one image.

I decided to go back to my old PC and run a small comparison test.
This PC is an AMD Athlon 64 x2 dual-core procesor with 3Gb and running 32bit Vista Home Premium.
(Boy, was it slow by comparison:)

I loaded the same image into PSP X2 as I had earlier tested on my new PC in X3.
PSP took much longer to load from cold (1.3 minutes) but DCNR did not take much longer (about 15-20 seconds).

I took 2 screen dumps, showing:
1) Both procesors peaked while DCNR was running
2) CPU usage peaked at 50% (one processor equivalent).

My feeling is that Corel are using multi-processors and hyper-threading to improve performance.
It seems that the extra processors 'kick-in' when specific tasks are performed in their own window, such as DCNR.

[Tadjio]

My feeling is that Corel are using multi-processors and hyper-threading to improve performance.
It seems that the extra processors 'kick-in' when specific tasks are performed in their own window, such as DCNR.

i've now checked the CPU Usage of PSP X3 when running DCNR.
I found that my quad-core hyper-threaded Intel i7 processors Windows 7 64-bit PC (ie 8 processor equivalent)
is running at 85%

[davidc502]

David, I love to see a screen shot of the "Performance" tab while you ran Digital Camera Noise Reduction on one image. It would be best to get all the raw images opened and through the Raw Lab first... or use six big TIFs or JPEGs instead. The Raw Lab is a cripple, bolted on version of DCRaw, so anything you see while opening raw images might be a reflection of the deficiencies of DCRaw, or just one more example of how badly Corel has used it.

You Sir are correct Time Morrison. I used automatic noise removal on a couple of RAW images (approximately 22MB ea.) and 87% of the 6 cores was utilized. Well, that explains why the preview and loading is so so so slow. lol

Good call.

David

[Tadjio]

Thanks for the info Tadjio!

It's a pleasure, Abiel
Do my findings fit in with what Corel are telling you?