WTH is my computer so slow?

[Jerboy]

I'm running SETI@Home on my extra computer for my own entertainment and for the TeAm AT. The extra computer has a PIII 600MHz and its been over 12hrs and only completed about 50% of the work unit whereas my Athlon 1.4GHz can complete whole WU in a bit over six hours even when I'm using the computer. Both computers are set to turn off monitor after 30min and I don't understand why P3 600 takes four times as long when the clock speed is 600Mhz and PIII is known to have better performance clock per clock..

Anyone know why?

both running Win Me.

 

[VBboy]

Who said anything about any clock-per-clock superiority of PIII? Remember, Athlon's FPU is extremely powerful, and that's what SETI uses primarily. Moreover, memory of the Athlon is much faster than that of the PIII.

Also, are you sure the PIII doesn't enter a sleep mode after N minutes of user-inactivity? Don't set it to turn the monitor off so you can see what's happening in, say, 4 hours.

 

[Jerboy]

<< Who said anything about any clock-per-clock superiority of PIII? Remember, Athlon's FPU is extremely powerful, and that's what SETI uses primarily. Moreover, memory of the Athlon is much faster than that of the PIII.

Also, are you sure the PIII doesn't enter a sleep mode after N minutes of user-inactivity? Don't set it to turn the monitor off so you can see what's happening in, say, 4 hours. >>



I have the energy saver set to NEVER for system standby and monitor off at 30min. I only have one monitor here so I have to swap the monitor between my main computer and SETI rig.

 

[bozo1]

My P3-933Mhz system takes about 8:30 to do 1 WU, FWIW.

 

[Jen]

takes longer with slower processors..........check to make sure it doesnt go into sleep mode when not in use



Jen

 

[Jerboy]

<< takes longer with slower processors..........check to make sure it doesnt go into sleep mode when not in use



Jen >>




I checked.. Still slow.. I was thinking PIII 600 won't take much more than twice the time of 1.4GHz Athlon machine since its dedicated to SETI instead of using it half the time.

well..

PIII machine= PC100 160MB RAM not sure about CAS, 512KB L2 cache@300MHz, 600MHz processor

Athlon machine=DDR 2100 512MB RAM, 2-2-CL2.0, 256KB L2 cache@1.4GHz, 1.4Ghz processor .

 

[Damascus]

<< my Athlon 1.4GHz can complete whole WU in a bit over six hours even when I'm using the computer >>



Your l337 typing skills aren't taxing the system enough to have any effect.

 

[sandorski]

Athlons, of any variation, are superior to PIIIs for SETI.

 

[VicLavigne]

Athlons on a clock per clock basis are much superior to PIII's.
You have your own proof of this.

 

[Jerboy]

<< Athlons, of any variation, are superior to PIIIs for SETI. >>




hmmmm... Athlon 700MHz is just as slow at my PIII 600

 

[veryape]

<<

<< Athlons, of any variation, are superior to PIIIs for SETI. >>




hmmmm... Athlon 700MHz is just as slow at my PIII 600 >>

If I remember correctly, my Athlon 650 does a seti WU in just under ten hours. That's not the same to me.

 

[poppasp1ce]

My understanding of this is that not all work units are the same size. Some will take longer than others even on the same processor. I'm not positive about this, but I remember reading something about this in a FAQ.

 

[neutralizer]

Hmm... My Athlon 1.4 Ghz crushes SETI WUs in 4:30.