I'd like to add that I have said that hlds is not multi-threaded, which is, in fact, false. It is not coded in a way to take advantage of hyperthreading, however.
So, perhaps I should have said that hlds is not "hyperthreaded"? I haven't made any benchmarks, but run a fairly large gameserver hosting company. All of my systems are dual processor. I have noticed on dual-xeon systems that hyperthreading will impair the performance of large servers. >From the task manager, a dual proc system with HT will show 4 cpus. Watching the cpu usage of each process, a large server will "bottom out" at 50% of a cpu (25% at the task manager, during 32 player avalanche, for example). When this happens, the server lags out. The fix is to disable hyperthreading, which will allow hlds to use one full processor if needed. I can imagine that perhaps a smaller server would run better on a single proc system with hyperthreading enabled, but don't have the means or desire to test. Dave -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Steven Hartland Sent: Friday, July 02, 2004 11:41 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [hlds] Windows 2000 or Windows 2003? You clearly dont understand how HT works. Here's a brief overview: HT makes a single CPU core look like two CPU's it does this so that the OS can schedule additional tasks on the second "virtual" CPU and hence make use of potentially idle execution units in the "physical" CPU. The problem comes from at least two potential issues. 1. The "physical" CPU may not have any idle execution units due to the design of the code being run and hence a conflict now exists. 2. The data and or code needed to satisfy the second "virtual" CPU's process requirements invalidates in some way the data / code for the primary CPU's process. This causes additional pipeline stalls reducing NOT increasing the efficiency of the CPU. So yes HT can help but it does not always help due to the potential conflicts for resources that exist which don't exist in a true SMP system. Tomshardware has some nice info on this: http://www.tomshardware.com/cpu/20040528/index.html Steve / K ----- Original Message ----- From: "K. Mike Bradley" > I am going to try this one more time. > > Again, the Operating system HAS THREADS TOO !!!!!!!!!!!!! > > I AM PRETTY SURE THE OS HAS AT LEAST ONE THREAD !!!!!!!! > Lets pick the csrss.exe (Client server run time sub system) process (which > btw services win32 calls ... Something HLDS.exe needs). > > HL one main thread > PLUS ++++++++ > OS at least one thread (but probably several dozen more) > THAT ADDS UP TO at the very least ... TWO. > > A MP (Multi processor) system would therefore have better performance. > > Because two threads run simultaneously. > This is the point I was making and I did say I don't know about HT but with > MP HLDS.exe is better. > > If you got bad results with your benchmark testing HLDS.exe on MP, I would > look at it again. ================================================ This e.mail is private and confidential between Multiplay (UK) Ltd. and the person or entity to whom it is addressed. In the event of misdirection, the recipient is prohibited from using, copying, printing or otherwise disseminating it or any information contained in it. In the event of misdirection, illegible or incomplete transmission please telephone (023) 8024 3137 or return the E.mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds _______________________________________________ To unsubscribe, edit your list preferences, or view the list archives, please visit: http://list.valvesoftware.com/mailman/listinfo/hlds
