RE: [Bug-gnubg] Multithreaded rollouts

[Ian Shaw]

> >>
> >> I was amazed that the results of a couple of tests were 
> exactly the 
> >> same
> >> (single/multithreaded) and got a bit under 90% speed 
> improvement on a 
> >> dual core machine.
> >>
> > 
> > Way to go, Jon!
> > 
> > Mmmm, Dual Core... Must have dual core (drool).
> 
> I think you need a quad core really...  I wouldn't rush out 
> and buy a new computer until it's been tested and shown to work...
> 

Seriously, I am planning to upgrade my processor and memory quite soon. I'd 
like to get the most bang for my buck, so any advice would be appreciated. A 
quad core would exceed my budget, though.

An Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86 GHz is about £115. A quad core costs £622. (Mind you, 
that is less than twice the price of the equivalent dual core  2.66 GHz dual 
core.)

I've just noticed that a PentiumD with 2x3.4 GHz processors on one core is only 
£100. Seems like more GHz for less money, but I know you only get what you pay 
for. Would multi-threading work on this CPU? I haven't really kept track of 
hardware developments over the last few years, so I'm way out of touch.

Does memory size affect performance much? I've always just gone with the 
standard cache size. Would altering it improve things, and what size change 
would make a difference?

-- Ian