Vray using Intel AVX instructions?

[davidr]

Hi, we met with Intel to determine the best choice for a renderfarm, and the rep wanted to know if Vray uses the following:
1) AVX instructions (new in Sandy Bridge)
2) Intel compilers
3) Intel librairies

Also, what kind of thread scaling -can Vray use dual 8-core with HT (32 threads) as efficiently as dual quad-core?
thanks

[instinct]

I wouldnt know for 1 or 3 (i assume you are referring to TBB or alike?) but it is compiled using icc indeed. From vraylog.txt:

[2011/Mar/24|16:16:38] ============================================================
[2011/Mar/24|16:16:38] Console created, V-Ray Adv 1.50.SP2 for x64 from Apr 16 2008, 23:32:09
[2011/Mar/24|16:16:38] ============================================================
[2011/Mar/24|16:16:38] Compiled with Intel C++ compiler, version 10

[vlado]

1) AVX instructions (new in Sandy Bridge)

Not yet, although we are looking into it.

2) Intel compilers

Yes. The current V-Ray builds are compiled with Intel C++ version 11; we are in the process of evaluating version 12.

3) Intel librairies

No.

Also, what kind of thread scaling -can Vray use dual 8-core with HT (32 threads) as efficiently as dual quad-core?

That depends a lot on what kind of settings are you using. Some algorithms (e.g. brute force) scale better than others (e.g. the irradiance map). We have tested it on a 24 core machine (dual six core with hyperthreading) and it seems to be doing fine. We are also doing some work to further improve multithreading in various parts of V-Ray.

Best regards,
Vlado

[davidr]

Vlado, thank you very much for the awesome support!