Started the base testing of the machines, and while WS#1 is still a noisy beast at least it can brag about its performance. Again I open myself to comment on the tests I selected. I selected the FutureMark tests PCMark05 and the 3DMark05 for testing as these tests are freely available and also there are significant results about to compare your machine to the workstations. As a baseline I ran my IBM T42p laptop, no slouch normally and received a PCMARK05 of 2401 and a 3DMark05 of 1256, which placed it in the bottom 10%. Hmmmm no wonder Navigator does not present well on my laptop.
OK WS#2 ... well before I present the results for WS#2. A word on why only 3.2GB is displayed in the resources. XP32 has a 4GB memory limit, but this is addressable space. Therefore, this addressable space has to not only include the RAM, but all other RAM etc in the machine. In this case the NIC / Graphics card etc. So if this has 800 MB RAM, then this leaves only 3.2 GB of RAM for the physical RAM and the 800 MB RAM goes to waste. Ahhh, why not just put 3GB RAM in. Well it works out that the 1GB modules are DIMM (Dual In-line), which offer better performance when in matched pairs. So I guess there was an option for two 512 MB DIMM's but as these are more expensive than some 1GB DIMM's, I guess it is more cost effective to place the 1GB DIMM's.
OK WS#2 ... The PCMARK05 was 6544 which was in the top 75% of the machines tested, but well short of the top machine of 19119 !!. Yep 19119. This seems to be in line with most Core 2 Duo machines. The 3DMark05 was only 5538. This was in the 63% percentile. When I look at a mid spec'ed machine, the 3DMark05 is around 8000-10000, so there is nothing extremely impressive on the 3D front.
For WS#1, the PCMARK05 .... oh, of course XP64 has none of the limitations that XP32 has in addressing memory and therefore all 4GB of RAM are reported to the OS. However, as this is a dual processor machine with a higher rated graphics card, we should expect much better results.
For WS#1 ... The PCMARK05 was ... 8301. Pretty impressive and much faster than most single Core 2 Duo machines. The 3D Mark05 was a rather more impressive 14272, within the top 97% of all machines tested. I have seen that a nVidia 8600 GTS card available for about £100 ($200), can return 10560 on the 3DMARK05, so we have something much lower, and perhaps not so realistic graphics card and a high end graphics card. OK, back to the real world testing of Navigator and design applications, the purpose of these tests.
The main testing will be carried out on a PDS model (52 MB of models : equipment and piping) and 21.5 MB of DRV files.
The testing will then include an AutoPLANT model (30MB of drawings) and then an AutoPLANT model that has been converted to PDS using an XMpLant migration (298 files = 750 MB) and 14MB of DRV files.
I offer the opportunity here, if anyone has other models to test, then please let me know and we will work out some tests.
The main PDS model, is an oil refinery with 3 sub plants inside the model.
Tests will include opening / rendering. Rotating small plant / medium plant / large plant. Loading components / searching for components, isolating components. An animation will also be created as well as results of creating PDF's and the corresponding sizes. Again I open this up for user comment as to what you would like to see tested here. This is about ensuring these tests are realistic to give you our users an indication of the hardware required to review your models.
Of course what would be good is if I could identify how many lines are in each area of the plant. Not sure how I can achieve that.
Find below some dumps of the models. Let me know if you want the full renditions.
Need to do a presentation on the AutoPLANT / ProjectWise integration, so why not use a HP WS to prove the integration. Standard install of AP Install AP P&ID 8.9.2.1 install I&W 8.9.2.1 Install PDW 8.9.2.2 Install Framework 8.9.3.23
There are some internal builds of 8.9.4 that are higher, but need to use software I have tested previously.
I already have access to a PW server with datasource so no need to burden the W/S with any server software.
Utilised with AutoPLANT and ProjectWise. Did not seem to be noticeably quicker at certain tasks. Specifically still
waiting for AutoCAD license. Moving XREF files around, was not notceably quicker, but generally I was not waiting long.
As noted earlier, specific timings will come. Have also moved WS#1 to MON#1 as this will simplify the timing tests. It
would seem that there are two types of DVI cable. Each has to be assigned to the correct monitor to get the best results.
Also working on the noise issue with WS#1.
Take delivery of 4 new boxes HP nw6400 HP Workstation x 2 XEON 2.66 Ghz x 4 GB RAM nVidia Quadro FX 4600 Referred to as WS#1 from now on
HP 30" monitor Referred to as MON#1 from now on
Connect WS#1 to MON#1 turn on. Notice this is XP 64 bit, not supported yet. Will it work ? Change resolution to 2560 x 1600 !!!
Oops notice how loud the fans are on the workstation. And I have another to install and run alongside. Perhaps I need to dig out my noise cancelling headphones. !!!
Log onto Bentley Select web site and select the latest plant software, only 1.2 GB. (Having access to all of the software over a http connection is a select benefit, but luckily for Bentley employees we also have access.)
Now the debate of which version of Navigator to install ? The latest released or the latest beta. Hmm let's find out if it the speed has improved. I know the speed improvements seen at BE on the HP workstations impressed a lot of users, so let's do some tests to see the frame dropout. I have a large PDS model of an oil refinery and a large PDS model which has been converted from AutoPLANT, so this should be some good data for testing.
Set up workstation number 2 HP nw4400 Intel Single Dual Core 2.4 Ghz with 3.25 GB RAM !! 3.25 GB RAM how does that work ? nVidia Quadro FX 1500 Referred to as WS#2 from now on.
Notice issue number 1 Both machines cannot hang off the same 30" monitor.
If I lower the second workstation resolution to 1280x720, then I can switch, otherwise I have a screen issue.
OK, I guess not everyone will run two machines hooked upto the same monitor. (The issue remains even if I lower the res on WS#1, and I mean really lower it, ie to 1200x1024).
OK, just means it will take a little longer while I hook up WS#2 to MON#2 (24" HP monitor)
PS WS#2 is XP 32 bit, so at least I can easily check if a bug is related to 64 bit or 32 bit. Unfortunately with this configuration I will not be able to see how much fast XP 64 bit is over XP 32 bit as WS#1 should outperform WS#2 every time (of course unless it crashes and then it will under perform)
Problem #1 : VPN software will not run on the XP 64. This could cause issues with AutoCAD licensing, but do not want to rule out not testing on XP64, but if the MS Pre-req will not run, then WS#1 will be downgraded to XP32.
OK Mon #2 is now up and connected to WS#2 and res changed to 1920x1440.
Wondering if when testing WS#1 if I should change the res also to 1920x1440. Oh well I guess that's what blogs are for, if you think it is important let me know and I will test accordingly.
Problem #2 : While I have a KVM for the keyboard (wait until you see the photo as to why I do not have keyboards for everything !), but the mice, I figured would be easy to keep (also my KVM has issues with USB mice, and the HP's seem to have issues with working through the KVM !). But ..... which mouse is which. Oh the problems I have to solve ;-)
MS Pre-req pack loaded Navigator 8.9.3.65 loaded. No errors during install.
Launching Navigator loads and offers an option to open a file (does it work in XP 64 ?)
However, once I opened the file (and it does not matter what file), then it becomes apparent that the rendering is not working.
OK a test to be made on WS#2. Logged issue with HP, but if they do not respond then log with Bentley.
PW installed on WS#2. PW start up and run as expected.
Phew it is decided. The xw6400 is a noisy beast. The xw4400 is almost silent in comparison.
Loading the PDS model on WS#2. over the network the WS#2 does not even break above 30% CPU usage.
Also the shaded mode does not exhibit the graphics issues that WS#1 exhibits. So either it is a XP64 issue or a FX4600 issue. I suspect the former and it could be that WS#1 becomes a 32bit OS. (but not before I get some timings for comparison later).
Next blog will include some timings ...., but may be some time as I test them on some other tasks I have.
Will let you know if they break though ;-)
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Glen, do you know if anyone in Bentley has looked at the new HP EliteBook 8530w or 8730w laptops yet? I'm looking for a good machine for Athens.
Regards
Marc