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Question

Setting default affinity (48 cores)

by Feb 17, 2014 6:00PM PST

Hi
I have a workstation with x2 CPUs and 48 total threads. It's running Windows 7 64bit Pro.

For the most part, it runs just fine, but for some reason, one of the programs I use starts with a default affinity of 32 threads. This has a massive impact on my render times, so I have to manually set the affinity in Task Manager every time I launch it.

Can anyone advise me on how I can set the affinity by default to use all 48 threads?
I am having the same issue on all other machines running more than 32 threads.

Thanks in advance
-Ped

Discussion is locked

14 Posts
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Clarification Request
I'd like to double check the CPU here.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 18, 2014 12:48AM PST

There are very few dual CPU systems that can actually hold 24 CPU cores and with hyper threading another 24 threads (48 total.)

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Even this Xeon is only 8 cores.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 18, 2014 1:10AM PST
http://ark.intel.com/products/64622/

But I'm taking your word there are 48 cores. So I'd need 6 of those CPUs and I can only find four socket machines or 32 cores. Yes that would get me 64 threads but that's not what you wrote.
Bob
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I know what I have
by Rev. Ped Feb 18, 2014 1:46AM PST
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So is your title inaccurate?
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 18, 2014 2:00AM PST

Above I read 48 cores. Cores are one thing and threads another. But as you can see I messed up with the number for affinity below.

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Yes - my title is inaccurate
by Rev. Ped Feb 18, 2014 2:14AM PST

I wrote "48 cores" in the title just in case some people misunderstood the term "thread" for a forum thread, not a CPU thread (for whatever reason). Hence, in the detailed description I only ever mention threads, not cores, as it is more clear what I am talking about.

Sorry to cause confusion. I know there is a big difference between the two.

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For me, detail helps.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 18, 2014 2:29AM PST

I'd rather know what we are dealing with and the app. Sometimes you find a client banging their head on some app and you contact the author/company and due to compiler or other restrictions it only extends to so many CPUs or so much RAM.

I think you know that.
Bob

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Answer
That should be a question for the app's author.
by Forum moderator Feb 17, 2014 11:42PM PST
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Thanks but...
by Rev. Ped Feb 18, 2014 12:43AM PST

Thanks for the reply but none of those were quite what I need.
I've seen there is a way by creating a batch file:

C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe /C start "" /affinity xx "C:\Your_Program.exe"

xx=
01 - 1st CPU
02 - 2nd CPU
03 - 1st and 2nd CPU
04 - 3rd CPU
05 - 1st and 3rd CPU
06 - 2nd and 3rd CPU
07 - 1st 2nd and 3rd CPU
08 - 4th CPU
09 - 1nd and 4th CPU
0A - 2rd and 4th CPU
0B - 1st 2nd and 4th CPU
0C - 3rd and 4th CPU
0D - 1st 3rd and 4th CPU
0E - 2nd 3rd and 4th CPU
0F - 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th CPU

but getting that pattern to work for 48 cores involves maths that goes way over my head!

Maybe there's some kind of formula for this which I can apply?
Or maybe I will post this on another forum and claim it's a riddle...everyone loves a riddle! Wink

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(NT) That's why folk use 0xff (all cores)
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 18, 2014 12:46AM PST
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Ooops, wrong number.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 18, 2014 12:58AM PST
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Thanks
by Rev. Ped Feb 18, 2014 1:41AM PST

I will try this and report back.

Thanks for your help

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Tried this but it didn't work.
by Rev. Ped Feb 25, 2014 10:48PM PST

Will just have to wait for the dev to sort it and manually change it in the mean time.

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That's my bet too.
by r. proffitt Forum moderator Feb 25, 2014 11:00PM PST

But I thought we'd give it our best try.
Bob

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Oh well!
by Rev. Ped Feb 25, 2014 11:45PM PST

Thanks for your help anyway. Will post if I come across a solution

-Ped

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