XEON vs. i7 again - TESTING INTERIOR SCENE

[auke]

Turns out that hyperthreading was disabled in the system bios. The odd thing is though, that enabling it shaved off a whooping 5 minutes on a 2hr render. That doesn't make much sense.

That indeed is odd, hyperthreading generally increases performance by about 15-25% in highly multithreaded tasks. You might want to check your cpu temperatures and if the CPU is throttling down because of high temperatures. Also how much RAM do you have in total (for both CPU's combined)?

[Streetwise]

I have 16GB of RAM for the x2 5670 chips. Task manager shows it to be using 12.5GB during the render process. So I probably could use more? I'll have to look into the temperature aspect. Thanks for mentioning that!

[auke]

16 gb of memory for 12 cores is very low. While I have not tested this subject myself it is generally considered that 2gb per core is the minimum for efficient performance. With memory prices today I would get another set of 16 gb to give both CPU's 16 gb. You might also want to check the physical memory setup in the system and crosscheck it with your motherboard memory. x5670 have triple memory channels if I'm not mistaken, given you have 16gb installed you probably have 2x8 or 4x4 (or 1x8 or 2x4 per CPU). If you are using 1x8 per CPU you are essentially using only 1 memory channel which might slow down the memory transfers between CPU and RAM. Again though, I'm not sure this is what is holding back your system but it where I would start after checking temperatures. And always check your mobo manual to find advised memory configurations.

[JezUK]

So with the new beta build that can use more than 64 threads:
2x e5-2696v3
44.8s Embree ON

What mobo are you using with those processors Austris ?

[viscorbel]

I'm using supermicro x10dai.
There was just one problem with it - even though the site describes it as e-atx format, the size matches but a few screws are placed differently than e-atx.
So if using regular case, some modding might be needed to mount it. I had to drill and tap a few holes for screws.

What mobo are you using with those processors Austris ?

[jstrob]

I'm using supermicro x10dai.
There was just one problem with it - even though the site describes it as e-atx format, the size matches but a few screws are placed differently than e-atx.
So if using regular case, some modding might be needed to mount it. I had to drill and tap a few holes for screws.

So dual e5-2696v3 and X10DAi, but where did you get those CPU? I don't see them anywyhere.

[JezUK]

So dual e5-2696v3 and X10DAi, but where did you get those CPU? I don't see them anywyhere.

eBay is your friend

[JezUK]

I'm using supermicro x10dai.
There was just one problem with it - even though the site describes it as e-atx format, the size matches but a few screws are placed differently than e-atx.
So if using regular case, some modding might be needed to mount it. I had to drill and tap a few holes for screws.

Thanks Austris - and thanks for the info regarding 2696's - their prices makes dual xeons a possibility for me (but not now I have only had my 5960x for a few months).

[jstrob]

eBay is your friend

Well it's a bit risky to spend 6000$ on used cpu on ebay when I don't even see them new in any store...

[jstrob]

One seller on ebay has this note:

Note:
E5-2696v3 and E5-2699v3 Processor Models are identical.

Intel released the E5-2699v3 model for the public retail marketplace.
Intel released the E5-2696v3 model for OEM computer manufacturers like HP and Dell.

Both models are identical processors with identical specifications. Intel used different part numbers - one for retail marketing and other for OEM.

Both models are final releases. These are NOT ES processors.

[JezUK]

Well it's a bit risky to spend 6000$ on used cpu on ebay when I don't even see them new in any store...

Not sure where you're looking - Ebay sellers are selling these less than $2000 each (new OEM).

[jstrob]

Not sure where you're looking - Ebay sellers are selling these less than $2000 each (new OEM).

Yes for you in the US it's a lot cheaper!

I was talking in Canadian dollar which dropped like crazy recently.

here it's 2700 CAD each for used ones, so around 6000 for 2 cpu.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/INTEL-XEON-E5...UAAOSwpDdVFcEf

still less than a new E5-2697 v3 (3700$ CAD) which is back ordered anyway...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...=-1&isNodeId=1

I bought my last cpus (E5-2680 v2) while it was time now it's a very BAD time to buy cpu from canada.

[JezUK]

Yes for you in the US it's a lot cheaper!

I was talking in Canadian dollar which dropped like crazy recently.

here it's 2700 CAD each for used ones, so around 6000 for 2 cpu.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/INTEL-XEON-E5...UAAOSwpDdVFcEf

still less than a new E5-2697 v3 (3700$ CAD) which is back ordered anyway...
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...=-1&isNodeId=1

I bought my last cpus (E5-2680 v2) while it was time now it's a very BAD time to buy cpu from canada.

I'm in the UK, either way, it's a lot cheaper than a 2699

[jstrob]

Ok sorry I should have known by your website adress and your nick name!

[jstrob]

So I just installed the latest V-Ray 3.3 beta and here are all my benchmarks with different V-Ray versions:

CPU: dual E5-2680 v2 (40 cores) 2.8GHz 96GB RAM

V-Ray 3.10.01 embree OFF
1m18.4s


V-Ray 3.10.01 embree ON
1m12.4s


V-Ray 3.25.01
0m47.7s


V-Ray 3.30.01
0m44.9s