Best OS per platform for processing?

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Message 915816 - Posted: 8 Jul 2009, 19:55:46 UTC

Has anyone done testing to see which OS performs the best for the given hardware?

Currently I've got 13 of my machines BOINCing in my test lab. As these are setup for software testing I have ghost images for the following OS's to choose from:

MAC OS 10.3 PPC
MAC OS 10.4 PPC & intel
MAC OS 10.5 PPC & intel

Windows 2000
Windows XP x86
Windows XP x64
Windows Vista x86
Windows Vista x64
Windows 7 RC x86
Windows 7 RC x64
Windows Server 2003 x86
Windows Server 2003 x64
Windows Server 2008 x86
Windows Server 2008 x64
Windows Server 2008 R2 RC x64

Most of them I just have running XP x86 or XP x64 right now. I see on the XP x64 machines that the seti process is still 32 bit so I'm not sure if there is any advantage to using the x64 OS there or not.

I ask this as I have two machines that are basicly twins of eachother. They were setup and started running withing a few minutes of eachother, but are running drasticly diffrent.

Both Dell Optiplex boxen. One is a 740 the other 745. The diffrence being one is AMD one is Intel.

With the OS: XP x64

Avg. credit: 167.15 Total Credit: 2,178
AuthenticAMD AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 3800+ [AMD64 Family 15 Model 75 Stepping 2] (2 processors)

Avg. credit: 324.80 Total Credit: 4,081
GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 6300 @ 1.86GHz [EM64T Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 6] (2 processors)

Since installing BOINC both of these machines have been running with WU's constantly. However, I am thinking that perhaps another OS might be more suited to the AMD system as it's running about half the speed of the Intel one.


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Message 915849 - Posted: 8 Jul 2009, 21:09:28 UTC

If it was me...

Depending on RAM, would put Win 7 x64 on both/all.

I do not believe any of the "Server bits" would make a differnce as they are tailored for background processes.

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Message 915857 - Posted: 8 Jul 2009, 21:17:49 UTC - in response to Message 915816.  

Ignoring the CPU cost and the deprivations of running anti-virus/anti-malware for the Windows systems, the most significant issue for performance for a particular system is likely which optimised application it is that you can run.

Then, the next issue is what reliability you can achieve.

Experiment to see?

Good luck,
Martin

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Message 915864 - Posted: 8 Jul 2009, 21:28:29 UTC

Hi I would go with the 2000 OS it would be less hungry resource and use it with the AMD machine.
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Message 915899 - Posted: 8 Jul 2009, 23:09:43 UTC - in response to Message 915857.  

Ignoring the CPU cost and the deprivations of running anti-virus/anti-malware for the Windows systems, the most significant issue for performance for a particular system is likely which optimised application it is that you can run.

Then, the next issue is what reliability you can achieve.

Experiment to see?

Good luck,
Martin


All the machines I've got running atm either have 2GB or 4GB of system ram.

I was hoping someone had done some testing like this beforehand so I wouldn't have to. No reason to redoing something if it's been done before and all.

I'll probably give the lunatics clients a go. These system run with all the AV, malware, firewall crap disabled as they are in an isolated test lab, and are loaded form ghost images. So it's just a matter of loading up ghost & restoring the OS. Then it's fresh and clean.
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Message 915913 - Posted: 8 Jul 2009, 23:34:04 UTC - in response to Message 915899.  

All the machines I've got running atm either have 2GB or 4GB of system ram.

I was hoping someone had done some testing like this beforehand so I wouldn't have to. No reason to redoing something if it's been done before and all.


For SETI@Home, anything over OS + (32MiB * #CPUs) is wasted. Each MultiBeam app and AP app requires as little as 32MB of free RAM. Even on a 16 CPU machine, this is only 512MiB.
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Message 915927 - Posted: 8 Jul 2009, 23:46:26 UTC - in response to Message 915913.  

All the machines I've got running atm either have 2GB or 4GB of system ram.

I was hoping someone had done some testing like this beforehand so I wouldn't have to. No reason to redoing something if it's been done before and all.


For SETI@Home, anything over OS + (32MiB * #CPUs) is wasted. Each MultiBeam app and AP app requires as little as 32MB of free RAM. Even on a 16 CPU machine, this is only 512MiB.


These are test machines for software testing. They are all just idle now with the last round of layoffs we just had. Staff of 18 down to 4. The machines I'm running atm are all speced to run Vista with all the bells and whistles. So I figured they would churn out some decent results as they are left on 24/7 anyway.

I have another 61 machines that are in the range of Pii 400MHz to Piii 1GHz to setup too. Figured once I had everything worked out on the faster ones I might load those guys up to run too. After they figure out if they are going to add more science or do something with the bandwidth.
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Message 915929 - Posted: 8 Jul 2009, 23:48:41 UTC
Last modified: 8 Jul 2009, 23:49:24 UTC

Over the years I have upgraded OS's on various hardware from 2K Pro to Win7 with a few Server bits thrown in. Running Seti Boinc and Classic.

If it does x64, generally it will perform better even thought the client is not native 64 bit. Call it roooom to stretch elbows.

I am Very Happy with Win 7 RC on the one machine and feel it performs better (certainly better than Vista). I have had less compatibilty issues with Win 7 than Vista.

So over the years turning off Services that were either Security Risks or were not needed to slim down the loading of DLL's on startup, can produce a fairly lean machine. If you use Server bits, insure you use a version of Boinc that will install as a Service, Servers are designed for Background/Network tasks.

So the last statement would be. Insure you have Permission for the Use of the Machines. Added RAC is not worth a Job.

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Message 915935 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 0:09:06 UTC - in response to Message 915929.  

Over the years I have upgraded OS's on various hardware from 2K Pro to Win7 with a few Server bits thrown in. Running Seti Boinc and Classic.

If it does x64, generally it will perform better even thought the client is not native 64 bit. Call it roooom to stretch elbows.

I am Very Happy with Win 7 RC on the one machine and feel it performs better (certainly better than Vista). I have had less compatibilty issues with Win 7 than Vista.

So over the years turning off Services that were either Security Risks or were not needed to slim down the loading of DLL's on startup, can produce a fairly lean machine. If you use Server bits, insure you use a version of Boinc that will install as a Service, Servers are designed for Background/Network tasks.

So the last statement would be. Insure you have Permission for the Use of the Machines. Added RAC is not worth a Job.

Regards


Beforehand I did ask the big boss just to be on the safe side. After a little dog and pony show just had to disable the computers being displayed to the public. I think they said something about installing it on their cubicle machine after the demo.

Windows 7 goes RTM Monday. So I guess there is that to look forward to. The only compatibility issues I've had with Vista or W7 is the lack of 3Com NIC support. Otherwise they are great for setup. Install, tweek, & done!
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Message 915939 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 0:19:01 UTC

Hiyas Hal
I don't know if it makes any diffrence here but my 3 girls have been purring just fine/w Xp home. All 3 are AMD, and over time I've been more than happy w/the results. These machine are also used for gaming/business/general web surfing. When I 1st started w/the project (win 98 on a k6 laptop) I was happy to help out. I hav'nt used the newer OS's like Vista Due to all the problems my freinds have had over time. I put it here officially however.. I will probably move to W7 A YEAR AFTER the new OS comes out. (waiting for the problems to be fixed ETC) Over all this time I've noticed others here using various flavors of linux and getting good performance too. I guess if all the machines were exactly the same and you tried all the OS's you've spoken of you might get a better idea as far as performance goes.
=) ha that's my 2¢ off into the backround I go....
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Message 915940 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 0:22:25 UTC

For a test environment doing part-time crunching, I'd probably go for Dotsch/UX on USB flash drives.

That would keep BOINC out of the test environment(s) but could go right back when finished.
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Message 915948 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 0:42:06 UTC - in response to Message 915939.  

Hiyas Hal
I don't know if it makes any diffrence here but my 3 girls have been purring just fine/w Xp home. All 3 are AMD, and over time I've been more than happy w/the results. These machine are also used for gaming/business/general web surfing. When I 1st started w/the project (win 98 on a k6 laptop) I was happy to help out. I hav'nt used the newer OS's like Vista Due to all the problems my freinds have had over time. I put it here officially however.. I will probably move to W7 A YEAR AFTER the new OS comes out. (waiting for the problems to be fixed ETC) Over all this time I've noticed others here using various flavors of linux and getting good performance too. I guess if all the machines were exactly the same and you tried all the OS's you've spoken of you might get a better idea as far as performance goes.
=) ha that's my 2¢ off into the backround I go....


I've always found it better to ask and see what others have come up with first. This can often make things loads easier.

Just remember. Windows isn't a real OS until it has had a service pack.... or two. :D

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Message 915950 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 0:44:44 UTC - in response to Message 915940.  

For a test environment doing part-time crunching, I'd probably go for Dotsch/UX on USB flash drives.

That would keep BOINC out of the test environment(s) but could go right back when finished.


I was just thinking of something like that but with CD/DVD's. As all these machines have a 2nd partition for storage. Boot from the disc and use the 2nd partition for BOINC data. It is a lot easier to justify a spindle of CD's then it is 50 flash drives. lol
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Message 915968 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 1:20:00 UTC - in response to Message 915935.  

Windows 7 goes RTM Monday.


Where did you read that?
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Message 915991 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 1:53:36 UTC

I'm betting he read about the presale. retail doesnt arrive until novemberish


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Message 916001 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 2:06:12 UTC
Last modified: 9 Jul 2009, 2:11:51 UTC

Part of the problem is that Hardware Grows, and Software Expands.. The OS has to keep up with "Features" that user want to keep things working. Yes that is over simplifiction.

In 2000 I was a lab manager at MS that was working on what was released as XP and then when the server bits were ready it became 2003 Server. Over the years I have alpha tested, beta tested, tested more software than I can reasonably list. I Remember when slackware was 19 - 1.44 floppies... I remember OS2 and hardware compatibilty issues.


D@mm as I think about it...
I Remember playing with a "Nibbler" with 2K of RAM and Basic in an H2 Console.
I Remember 16 bit Mainframes before 8 bit cpu's. Z80's were nice.
I Remember Disk Packs.
I Remember Hand punching both Punch cards and Paper tape. Machine Language is much cleaner but takes so long.
I Remember ARPA net. I had a Military Account. Currently You All are spoiled!
I Remember my first PC Clone cost 2 grand (SANS Hard Drive). Only 5, 10 or 20 megs back then.
I Remember PC DOS 1.0 and MS DOS 1.0
I Remember CPM
I Remember and AT&T 3B2
I Remember DR DOS. Prefered through various versions.
I Remember I hate Pascal. There are other languages that are better.
I Remember why I gave up programming and start doing the Hardware OS side.
I Remember DesqView.
I Remember Arcnet.
I Remember PCBoard which was a lot of Fun and work. 9 Nodes with subscriptions paying the phone bills computers extra.
I Remember pushing a Hobby BBS into the commercial world and then connecting it to the Internet. 36 Nodes 1993-94 rated in the Top 100 by BoardWatch. Talk about a Network Nightmare.
I Remember Rime and Fidonet.
I Remember tossing UUCP (Usenet) from early Internet into the BBS world.
I Remember our Satellite File download that could do 200meg a day and then sorting files.
I Remember posting one of the First Serious Bugs with Outlook Express. That one coule result in a DOS attack.
I Remember MS Server 3.10
I Remember OS2 and where both sides went. For MS users it was win 95.
I Remember MS Server 4.0 Beta
I Remember that I have touched probably more computers (large and small) and users in my lifetime that I can calculate. I have (it seems) been given the task to solve issues. IT does not mean that I am perfect, but I am one to accomplish what I set out to do.
I Remember I have trained my "replacement(s)" several times over.
I Remember or try to stay with the KISS Principle.
I am a victum of more OS's than I care to think about.
I Know what an ID10T error is.

Many things have come and gone, for brevity sake other things were omitted. Users continually PUSH the envelope. Seti is no different. Each time there is a New Set of Problems or sometimes a replay of the same problem. How we deal with them is the difference. Patience is the Key.

Regards
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Message 916004 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 2:13:27 UTC - in response to Message 915991.  

I'm betting he read about the presale. retail doesnt arrive until novemberish


October 22nd is officially announced on the Windows 7 Home page. My little brother will be turning 29 on that day. :)
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Message 916007 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 2:36:04 UTC - in response to Message 916004.  

I'm betting he read about the presale. retail doesnt arrive until novemberish


October 22nd is officially announced on the Windows 7 Home page. My little brother will be turning 29 on that day. :)


Actually I said R.T.M.

RTM is Release To Manufacturing.

That is the day software is released to system makers, oems, msdns, and such to get ready for deployment to the general public.

The company I work for uses MSDN & Apple Developer program subscriptions. This gives us access to OS's & Software that is in Beta or RC to test for development. As well as final versions once they are released.

Companies that make products for the OS need access to the software before the public gets it. Otherwise there be this new OS with no drivers or software to install into it.

For people that don't know. Anyone can get a MSDN subscription. The OS only subscription run about $700USD for a new subscriber and give you 10 licenses for all of their OS's. Then it's $500 or $600 a year to renew. I personally have an OS subscription.

But yes standard retail date is October 22nd. The 1/2 price upgrade pre-sale that is going on now ends July 11th btw.
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Message 916008 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 2:40:33 UTC - in response to Message 916001.  

Patience is the Key.


Patience...... ok...... how long will that take?!

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Message 916017 - Posted: 9 Jul 2009, 3:03:21 UTC - in response to Message 916007.  

I'm betting he read about the presale. retail doesnt arrive until novemberish


October 22nd is officially announced on the Windows 7 Home page. My little brother will be turning 29 on that day. :)


Actually I said R.T.M.

RTM is Release To Manufacturing.

That is the day software is released to system makers, oems, msdns, and such to get ready for deployment to the general public.

The company I work for uses MSDN & Apple Developer program subscriptions. This gives us access to OS's & Software that is in Beta or RC to test for development. As well as final versions once they are released.

Companies that make products for the OS need access to the software before the public gets it. Otherwise there be this new OS with no drivers or software to install into it.

For people that don't know. Anyone can get a MSDN subscription. The OS only subscription run about $700USD for a new subscriber and give you 10 licenses for all of their OS's. Then it's $500 or $600 a year to renew. I personally have an OS subscription.

But yes standard retail date is October 22nd. The 1/2 price upgrade pre-sale that is going on now ends July 11th btw.


I'm a Microsoft TechNet subscriber ($350 US for new users, $250 renewal) and get 10 licenses for all current OSes as well as most of their library of software, and each license can be activated up to 5? or 10 times without having to call MS.

I just didn't catch the news that it was going to be released (RTM) so soon, which is why I asked.
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