SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3 or SSE4.1?

[SkOrPn]

Hello again,

I notice there is an app for each of these instruction sets SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3 or SSE4.1 and I'm wondering if any of you seti crunching gurus have a no questions about it choice? I mean are the differences unnoticeable, minor or extreme? Or are the choices just intended for peeps with lesser cpu's say ones that only support up to SSE3 will have the correct app, and ones with say SSE4.1 will also have the best app for their cpu. I have assumed that the higher the number the better the instruction set is if your cpu supports it. IS this assumption correct?

I have an 65nm Intel Core 2 Duo E6700 that I am running now but in a few days it will be retired and the new E8600 Core 2 Duo dropped into its place. The new 45nm CPU has SSE4.1. Should I keep the current "AK_v8.0_Win64_SSSE3x" OR experiment with the SSE4.1 optimized app? 

Just curious what others think. Ive never really compared apps before so I apologize if this is a stupid question and or if its been answered before. I searched the forums a bit but didn't find the answer.

System Specs:
Asus P5B Deluxe
4 GB DDR2-1067
Windows XP x64
BOINC 64bit 6.2.18
AK_v8.0_Win64_SSSE3x

[Raistmer]

Or are the choices just intended for peeps with lesser cpu's say ones that only support up to SSE3 will have the correct app, and ones with say SSE4.1 will also have the best app for their cpu. I have assumed that the higher the number the better the instruction set is if your cpu supports it. IS this assumption correct?

Yes, you should use higher instruction set you CPU capable to support. In your case it's SSE4.1 Even better if your OS supports 64-bit applications. x64 slightly faster than x86 on Intels CPUs usually.

[Jason G]

on the 45nM that supports SSE4.1, it is worth a try, but there won't be much difference to ssse3x.  It may be a few percent faster depending on memory speed and whether you OC or not etc..  That same chip heavily OC'd with slower RAM may be faster with ssse3x, though that situation usually only arises with quad-cores, so sse4.1 build is the likely 'marginal winner for your cpu.

Jason

[SkOrPn]

Ok finally found time to install the E8600 45nm cpu. It sounds like it may be worth trying the sse4.1 app instead. My system isnt overclocked but isnt modest either. I have 4 gb of memory running at 1067 (533mhz 5-5-5-15) and have the cpu at stock frequencies at this time. I am water cooled so I do plan to find time to start overclocking though, just not now. Maybe when I get a better mobo.

Specs
Asus P5B Deluxe
C2D E8600
4GB 2x2 DDR2-1100
Windows XP x64

Thanks for the help. Oh, one more question. Do I just copy/paste the newer app over the older one? Thanks

[Raistmer]

You need to stop BOINC or ensure there is no running or suspended in memory SETI app.
Then you can just copy needed files inside project directory.
app_info.xml should  be replaced. And old executable will be deleted as BOINC will strat to crunch next SETI task (or when it starts).

[SkOrPn]

Thanks, yes I just copied all the files in the "Files to install" folder to the "setiathome.berkeley.edu" folder saying yes to the replace files confirmation. Didnt know if the procedure was the same as the initial install. Processes were stoped before I copied and replaced the files.

Thanks again

[rockyn]

I am using SSE 3 and my computer has win XP Pro 32 on a Dell XPS notebook

3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
16 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Bus Clock: 200 megahertz
2048 Megabytes Installed Memory

I have noticed that I am 2 to 3 times slower in processing WU then others. Is there something I can do to speed my computer without overclocking.

Thanks  Rocky

[Richard Haselgrove]

The SETI user search doesn't yield any matches for 'rockyn': presumably (like me) you have a different handle on your user account there.

Could you post your User ID and/or the Host ID for your XPS: then people can look at your recent results and see if they reveal anything.

[rockyn]

TY for your reply, My user name is  Rocky  and ID is   8198242

Rocky

[Richard Haselgrove]

That makes the machine in question host 4598441 - a Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz [x86 Family 15 Model 3 Stepping 4].

You're showing 2 CPUs: others will know the P4 range better than I do, but I think that makes it a single core with hyperthreading. The general rule of thumb is that hyperthreading gives you about 30% extra crunching power over a single CPU of the same speed.

Your SETI tasks times are similar to mine on a single P4 @ 2.0GHz. But you do two tasks at once, so you should get through twice as many as me.

Allowing 50% performance boost above mine for the higher clock speed, and 30% above that for the HT, and you end up with pretty close to double. I'd say your computer is performing as expected.

[rockyn]

Thanks again for your reply, it just seemed that per WU I was slower then others doing the same WU
You have at least told me that my computer is doing OK.
Thanks
Rocky