[R] optimal hardware for computations in R?

[Marc Schwartz]

On Tue, 2004-03-23 at 08:08, Paul Y. Peng wrote:
> I recently ordered a computer which is intended to run both WindowsXP
> and Linux (of course both versions of R as well). Before placing the
> order, I discussed it with our system managers. They highly recommanded
> a system with one P4 CPU with Intel's so called "hyper-threading"
> technology over a system with two CPU's, and they claimed that both OS's
> can take benefits from the "hyper-threading" technology. I haven't got
> the machine yet and don't know how fast it is. At least this is another
> option available.
> 
> Paul.

<snip>

Paul,

Others may chime in here, but you should be aware that there are still
lingering problems with Linux and HT in uni-processor systems, at least
using stock 2.4 (and even 2.6 kernels).

There is a good article at 2cpu.com on HT and the 2.6 kernels here:

http://www.2cpu.com/articles/41_1.html

Under FC1, which I use, there are issues with the 2.4 SMP kernels with
HT enabled. I have a 3.2 Ghz P4 with HT in a Dell i5150 laptop. I had to
disable HT in BIOS and am running the UP kernel, due to a list of known
bugs in the FC1 2.4 kernel series, which include boot lockups, other
boot time errors and even things as subtle as keyboard related problems.

Also, according to Alan Cox at RH, there are still performance tuning
issues relative to process and thread scheduling for HT on the 2.6
kernels that are yet to be included (but will be).

As you will see from the above article, the gains to be had from HT are
likely to be situationally specific and not an "all or nothing" gain. 

HTH,

Marc Schwartz