Multi-core Computer

[Denny]

With the use of pixel control in our shows, which is more advantageous to running the show in LOR, multiple cores or a higher clock speed with less cores? Has LOR S3 been written to take advantage of multiple cores?

[bisquit476]

I would think more memory. I use a netbook to sequence and run the Visualizer when I have time at work, and it works fairly well. Slight lag sometimes, but not all the time and it only has a 1.6G processor and 1G of memory, so I'd say more memory is better.

[dgrant]

I'm not an expert on the S3 software or how it was written but am a believer that whatever computer that you use, give it the resources to work with as in more RAM Memory and better capability to use the architecture within the motherboard, then you'll be happy.

Before I retired a short while back, using a quad-core cpu and lots of ram, we were processing tens of thousands of communication instructions (bi-directionally), each second. Yes, we were using gigabit comm ports and IP addressing to achieve this speed but it worked nicely and no lag on any data being returned or commmands sent.

Now on LOR, they are using RS485 communications which is slower but as I said, if you give the machine the resources to work with, even on slower machines, you probably won't have an issue.

[Denny]

Both my show machine and sequencing machine have quad core processors and 16GB of memory and have never presented a problem in the past with LOR. Since I am beginning to use individual pixels for the first time this year (only 1050 pixels this year, but will increase in future years) and E1.31, I want to make sure I will not have any unpleasant surprises this year. Past years, I have used multiple networks for DMX and the controllers. I don't think I will have problems this year, but seems a lot of new capabilities are on the horizon and if I do need to upgrade, I would like to "future proof" as much as possible.

[jeffl]

The only reason I think I would need a multi-core CPU is I'm thinking about removing my audio processing hardware gear and using a software audio processing package called Breakaway ( CPU intensive). This would give you the ability to handle multiple application without delay.

As far as memory, I have yet to see a desktop application that takes more than the 3.25 gb that 32 bit Windows can address. I know there are some out there but LOR I don't think is one.

I could see a healthy machine for sequencing, but for a show computer I would say a dual core CPU with a moderate amount of memory. No more than 4 gb. I think anything more than 4gb for desktop computing is usually, but not always, just a waste of money.

[Greg Young]

jeffl wrote:

As far as memory, I have yet to see a desktop application that takes more than the 3.25 gb that 32 bit Windows can address.  I know there are some out there but LOR I don't think is one.

I could see a healthy machine for sequencing, but for a show computer I would say a dual core CPU with a moderate amount of memory.  No more than 4 gb.  I think anything more than 4gb for desktop computing is usually, but not always, just a waste of money.

If you are running win 7 I would suggest at least 4 gig of memory. You don't need nearly as much for Win XP.

[ShellNZ]

An SSD is also pure joy

[WilliamS]

I believe Mike or Dan squared away for me that LOR code is only written to access a single thread. As well 32 bit machines have limitations on memory to use on a single task at 4 gigs, 3.5 if you want to get technical. If you are just running the show not sequencer than really any machine can do it. I ran just fine of my 7 year old Celeron Laptop no issues at all. The sequencing computer is up for debate in terms of power but for the show player, not a whole lot needed.

[Denny]

GoofyGuy wrote:

I believe Mike or Dan squared away for me that LOR code is only written to access a single thread. As well 32 bit machines have limitations on memory to use on a single task at 4 gigs, 3.5 if you want to get technical. If you are just running the show not sequencer than really any machine can do it. I ran just fine of my 7 year old Celeron Laptop no issues at all. The sequencing computer is up for debate in terms of power but for the show player, not a whole lot needed.

Guess my concern is the impact E1.31 and several DMX universes would have on the show computer.