very low compilation speed for multi core/thead processors

[benp]

I performed some test with different computers for a big flowcode program (TCP+LCD+3xADC+RS232) 18Ko compiled size.

Here are the results:
1-Samsung NF-210-A-02FR: 6min40s - processor 25% (8min 42s with default settings)
2-ASUS EeePC1201NL: 1min35s - ?
3-Dell OptiPlex 780 MT: 1min15s - processor 50%
4-Homemade PC:0m43s - processor 50%
5-Medion MD40321: 1min11s - processor 100%

Here are the config
1-Samsung NF-210-A-02FR
Atom N550-1.5GHz 2 core/4threads-1GO RAM - W7 - video shared
2-ASUS EeePC1201NL
Atom N450-1.66GHz 1 core/2 threadssimple coeur-1GO RAM - W7 - video ion2
3-Dell
Intel Core2 Duo E7500@2.93GHz 2 core/2 threads - 2Go RAM -W7-NVidia Quadro
4-Homemade PC
Pentium dual core E5200@2.5GHz 2 core/2 threads - 2Go Ram -XP- NVidia Geforce 8500GT
5-Medion MD40321 (manufacture in 2003!)
Athlon 2200+@1.79Ghz simple coeur-1Goram-video shared

My conclusion:
Only one core is working for compilation. The compilation speed is very low especially for virtual core. A single core old processor is better than a new 4 core for netbook. The Atom N550 is not suitable for big flowcode compilation.

Do you agree with my conclusion? Will future flowcode/PPP version be better for multicore? What netbook processor would you recommand for a netbook.
I can give my test program if you want to perform your own test on other computer.

[medelec35]

That's intresting
If you don't mind posting test file, I can try on my PC and post results.
Thanks for sharing that information.

Martin

[benp]

This is the test file.

18f4520-tcp-r232v45.fcf

(49.73 KiB) Downloaded 339 times

The time is from clic on "compile to hex to "finished" on screen
The program is for a wifi controled DIY segway made by my students.

[medelec35]

Tested on a Packard Bell ixtream x6622UK took 48secs. Processor 26% 4core 2.5GHz 64bit Win7
My Flowcode did appear to randomly share between the cores.

[JohnCrow]

Compile to hex takes 25 seconds from clicking on icon to finished.
Mesh System - CPU Core I5-750 with 4GB of ram - running at default (ie no overclocking) settings
Windows 7 Pro 64bit (SP1)
All 4 cores are used.
Though I am running a SSD hard drive which gives really good perfomance.

[medelec35]

That's very good results John. I know what hard drive I getting next :p

Martin

[DavidA]

Yeh SSD's are one of the biggest bang for your buck computer upgrades at the moment, now that the price of them has fallen.

We have a delicious core i7, 8gb ram and a gtx 480 machine here, i might test it on that later

[Steve]

The compilation speed is unfortunately outside of our control because this is done by the compiler toolchain (BoostC / HITECH / GCC / etc). I will pass this information on to the compiler manufacturers.

Another thing that might help is tuning your anti-spyware software. For example, on my work PC Flowcode took a long time (20 seconds?) to even begin loading until I added the Flowcode exe to the exception list of Windows Defender. Once the exception is in place, loading commences almost immediately). You might get similar improvements by adding the compiler and linker exes to this (and other) exception lists.

[benp]

I don't think the hard disk or RAM quantity is important because hard disk is not used and there is still some free RAM during compilation process.
For processor, I don't know why but the processor can't be higher than 25% with 4 thread/core. Maybe it is possible to configure that in window?
What I am looking for is a small netbook which is able to compile in less than 1min30. It would be useful to download the flowcode on my mobile mechanical systems. I was thinking to ASUS Eepc 1215N but maybe that's not a good solution with its Atom D525 2Core/4Threads. Maybe somebody have that one to test.

If you have a new data answer with the following list. It will be easier to read all the data

1-Samsung NF-210-A-02FR
Atom N550-1.5GHz 2 core/4threads-1GO RAM - W7 - video shared
6min40s - processor 25% (8min 42s with default settings)
2-ASUS EeePC1201NL
Atom N450-1.66GHz 1 core/2 threadssimple coeur-1GO RAM - W7 - video ion2
1min35
3-Dell
Intel Core2 Duo E7500@2.93GHz 2 core/2 threads - 2Go RAM -W7-NVidia Quadro
1min15s - processor 50%
4-Homemade PC
Pentium dual core E5200@2.5GHz 2 core/2 threads - 2Go Ram -XP- NVidia Geforce 8500GT
:0m43s - processor 50%
5-Medion MD40321 (manufacture in 2003!)
Athlon 2200+@1.79Ghz simple coeur-1Goram-video shared
1min11s - processor 100%
6- Mesh System - CPU Core I5-750 with 4GB of ram - running at default (ie no overclocking) settings
Windows 7 Pro 64bit (SP1)
7 -Packard Bell ixtream x6622UK took 48secs. Processor 26% 4core 2.5GHz 64bit Win7

[Mathy]

17s with the lastest flowcode release on a little Athlon X4 @ 3.6 Ghz from clicking on icon to finished on XP pro 32 bit.

I think you have a problem on your PC !