Best CPU for Gentoo (Heavy Compiling)

[Azuma Hazuki]

So...I think the answer to this might already be known (Haswell-series, preferably T or S given my build proclivities), but I want to ask:

For heavy, heavy compilation loads, specifically Gentoo Linux, what should I be looking at? Is compilation "embarrassingly parallel" and would it take proper advantage of HT-enabled CPUs in ways, e.g., gaming can't?

I ask because I'm debating whether to pick a Haswell i7-4770s or go full-on space-heater and get the Steamroller equivalent of the FX-8350 when it comes out.

SR seems like a very good design in need of a lot of optimization, and from its inception in Zambezi it seemed more suited to heavy server-like loads than the small, bursty needs of home users.

 

[Centauri]

Steamroller is far enough out that it's hard to speculate on what exactly it'll bring to the table, but I'd be gobsmacked if bettering power efficiency weren't one of AMD's main aims, particularly when looking at what they've already been able to do with Piledriver up through the Richland APUs.

 

[VirtualLarry]

AMD's 4-module/8-"core" design would strike me as better for compilation, since that is mostly integer work, and AMD has 8 integer cores, versus four + some minor fractional percentage benefit from HT. AMD also has larger caches.

 

[cytg111]

http://techreport.com/review/23750/amd-fx-8350-processor-reviewed/10

Here is a bench on some GCC compilation .. scales nicely with # of cores .. I 3770k does edge out fx8350 .. and 3960x destroys them all

 

[BrightCandle]

C++ compilation does utilise multiple cores very well indeed, especially for things like gentoo compiles. But in addition to cores it likes integer performance and especially good performance under branching. I think its the branching performance that likely puts Intel quite ahead in compilation activities in a range of languages. But some programs can't easily be parallel compiled, especially none C++ ones or smaller ones. In those cases you want faster single cores, and Intel tends to really shine there for compilation.

SB-E would actually be the fastest desktop solution you can get, but Haswell or just Ivy Bridge would be second and third.

 

[tarmc]

why not go with an i7 6 core cpu? (3830, 3960, 3970)if the programs can make good use of extra cores it might be a good option even if does cost a bit

 

[cytg111]

cause socket 2011 is a dead end. But if you are fine with that then ...

 

[BrightCandle]

All sockets are dead end, you get one to two CPUs on them and then another socket appears. These things are only around for one machine, there is no upgrade cycle available when the sockets are changing so readily. 2011 might be old but its being supported for a lot longer than 1155, not least because IB-E is coming out later this year. If you can use the 6 cores the performance benefit of SB-E is still very much there.

 

[Tuna-Fish]

For heavy, heavy compilation loads, specifically Gentoo Linux, what should I be looking at? Is compilation "embarrassingly parallel" and would it take proper advantage of HT-enabled CPUs in ways, e.g., gaming can't?

Yes, absolutely. Just remember to allow enough threads for the job (make -j), and most compilation jobs should pretty much accelerate linearly with more cores. Also, since they are so memory access dependent, HT gives a lot of boost, instead of a minor one like in most loads. (HT does not increase the amount of work a CPU can do, but it does typically increase the amount of memory accesses that it can simultaneously wait on.)

Oh, and if you are recompiling all your software, try and get a variant of HSW that has TSX. That might be useful to you quite a bit before it's generally useful to other people.

 

[dawp]

cause socket 2011 is a dead end. But if you are fine with that then ...

how often do you actually upgrade your cpu in the same board? I haven't in years, I usually upgrade about every 2 - 3 yrs or longer and by that time the board is obsolete anyways and will either be handed down as-is or sold as a package.

 

[cytg111]

Cant remember I've ever done that . But going with a 2011 and SB scenario .. I would have expected IVB-E to come out with 8 cores, maybe even 10 next tock. Now we know this aint gonna happen, but still, at the time, looking at a 6 core SB for a 8-10 core IB upgrade a year or two later down the road sounds promising to me.

 

[Ajay]

moar cores and SSDs for compiling (in general).

 

[tweakboy]

So...I think the answer to this might already be known (Haswell-series, preferably T or S given my build proclivities), but I want to ask:

For heavy, heavy compilation loads, specifically Gentoo Linux, what should I be looking at? Is compilation "embarrassingly parallel" and would it take proper advantage of HT-enabled CPUs in ways, e.g., gaming can't?

I ask because I'm debating whether to pick a Haswell i7-4770s or go full-on space-heater and get the Steamroller equivalent of the FX-8350 when it comes out.

SR seems like a very good design in need of a lot of optimization, and from its inception in Zambezi it seemed more suited to heavy server-like loads than the small, bursty needs of home users.

Wait until end of summer and get a Ivy Bridge E 6 core 12 threads . Its more powerful then the current haswell 4770k as it is only quad. gl