[R] Speed up R

[Matthew Keller]

Hi Robert,

Here's my 2 cents.

64-bit is a memory issue, not a speed issue per se. If a concern is
increasing RAM (which is important in R since objects are stored in
RAM), then you will want to get 64 bit if you plan on getting a
computer with over 4GB RAM. I'm not sure about this (someone correct
me if I'm wrong), but I think that windows has problems addressing
that much RAM (surely the 64bit Vista is OK with it though... surely).
Linux or Apple (the powermac) might be better bets if you're wanting
to work with programs that use a lot of RAM. BTW, Intel does make 64
bit chips now. They use them in macs.

As for speed, go with multicore processors with as much GHz as possible.

On 6/19/07, Robert McFadden <robert-mcfadden at o2.pl> wrote:
> Dear R Users,
> I hope that there is someone who has an experience with a problem that I
> describe below and will help me.
> I must buy new desktop computer and I'm wondering which processor to choose
> if my only aim is to speed up R. I would like to reduce a simulation time -
> sometimes it takes days. I consider buying one of them (I'm working under
> Win XP 32 bit):
> 1. Intel Core2 Duo E6700 2.67 GHz
> 2. Dual-Core Intel Xeon processor 3070 - 2,66 GHz
> 3. AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+
> Or simple Pentium 4?
>
> I'm very confused because I'm not sure whether R takes advantage dual-core
> or not. If not, probably Athlon would be better, wouldn't be?
> I would appreciate any help.
> Rob
>
> ______________________________________________
> R-help at stat.math.ethz.ch mailing list
> https://stat.ethz.ch/mailman/listinfo/r-help
> PLEASE do read the posting guide http://www.R-project.org/posting-guide.html
> and provide commented, minimal, self-contained, reproducible code.
>


-- 
Matthew C Keller
Postdoctoral Fellow
Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics