Switched On Tech Design

Tag: cpu

  • Ubuntu: How to see information about your system’s CPU

     

    To find out information about the CPU used in the system, we can use the following command:

     

    lscpu

     

    This gives us useful information about the CPU, such as the number of physical cores, virtual threads, virtualization support and more. An example output from a Haswell Xeon system looks like:

     

    Architecture:          x86_64
    CPU op-mode(s):        32-bit, 64-bit
    Byte Order:            Little Endian
    CPU(s):                8
    On-line CPU(s) list:   0-7
    Thread(s) per core:    2
    Core(s) per socket:    4
    Socket(s):             1
    NUMA node(s):          1
    Vendor ID:             GenuineIntel
    CPU family:            6
    Model:                 60
    Stepping:              3
    CPU MHz:               800.000
    BogoMIPS:              6784.21
    Virtualisation:        VT-x
    L1d cache:             32K
    L1i cache:             32K
    L2 cache:              256K
    L3 cache:              8192K
    NUMA node0 CPU(s):     0-7

     

    The above CPU is a Xeon E3-1245V3. The CPU speed reading as 800MHz is correct – this is the speed that Intel’s Speed Step technology drops the CPU down to to conserve power when the system is idle.

     

    This command can be really useful when you’re using an unfamiliar system or a virtual machine where you’re not sure what hardware – or virtual hardware – lies beneath the OS.

  • How to find number of cores in Ubuntu (or other versions of Linux)?

     

    If you’re using a virtual server (whether online or your own physical machine) it can be handy sometimes to check how many CPU cores are available; here are two easy methods of doing this. The first:

     

    nproc

     

    This will return a single number, whether it be 1, 2, 4 or otherwise. For a more detailed look, try:

     

    lscpu

     

    This will usually give a more complex readout, e.g.:

     

    root@server [/]# lscpu
    Architecture:          x86_64
    CPU op-mode(s):        32-bit, 64-bit
    Byte Order:            Little Endian
    CPU(s):                1
    On-line CPU(s) list:   0
    Thread(s) per core:    1
    Core(s) per socket:    1
    CPU socket(s):         1
    NUMA node(s):          1
    Vendor ID:             GenuineIntel
    CPU family:            6
    Model:                 45
    Stepping:              7
    CPU MHz:               2000.024
    BogoMIPS:              4000.04
    Hypervisor vendor:     Xen
    Virtualization type:   para
    L1d cache:             32K
    L1i cache:             32K
    L2 cache:              256K
    L3 cache:              15360K
    NUMA node0 CPU(s):     0

     

  • How to see individual CPU core loads in Ubuntu

     

    This is an interesting one – if you have the need to monitor your CPU usage individually across cores it’s actually quite easy with the top command. Simply run top and hit “1” – your output will go from:

     

    topSingleView

    to:

     

    topMultiCore

    In this case the server is a hexcore (0-5 cores shown, 6 in total) and we can clearly see the loads across each of them. To get colours – it can make top easier to read – hit Z.

     

    This can be quite handy for monitoring your CPU usage in more detail than basic load averages.

  • Intel i5-3470 vs i5-3570

     

     

    The above two CPUs are often shortlisted for entry/midrange gaming builds that aren’t overclocked; so how do they compare?

     

    Both are quad-core CPUs without hyperthreading, so they offer 4 cores and 4 threads. The i5-3470 is clocked at 3.2GHz while the i5-3570 is 200MHz faster at 3.4GHz, and both CPUs feature Intel’s Turbo Boost v.2.0, reaching peak speeds of 3.6 and 3.8GHz respectively. This equates to ~6-7% performance difference if you’re running both CPUs at max. Both feature Intel’s HD2500 graphics – according to Intel’s ARK the i5-3570’s graphics are clocked fractionally faster – 1.15GHz as opposed to 1.10GHz, which is a negligible difference.

     

    The i5-3570 is about 10% more expensive than the i5-3470 – 10% more cost for 6-7% more CPU performance isn’t bad, though you can’t really go too far wrong either way – if you’re $20 off a better graphics card you’re probably better off going that way and getting the i5-3470, whereas if you could do with a touch more CPU grunt it’s likely worth your $20 to grab the i5-3570.

  • Intel E3-1245 V2 vs. Intel E3-1275 V2

    We were asked to spec a customer build the other day who was torn between the above two processors. Here’s our thoughts on them.

     

    E3-1245V2: Quad core, 8-thread, 3.4GHz -> 3.8GHz Turbo

    E3-1275V2: Quad core, 8-thread, 3.5GHz -> 3.9GHz Turbo

     

    All other specifications are equal apart from the 100MHz clockspeed difference. At this level 100MHz is a mere ~3% increase – not something that is going to be visible for most real-world applications. However, if there’s not much price difference it may be worth that extra bit of cash if you really do need every ounce of performance you can get (or just want the bragging rights). So what do they both cost (AU, our prices)?

     

    E3-1245V2: $299

    E3-1275V2: $389

     

    $90 difference – or around a 30% premium above the E3-1245V2 for a 3% clockspeed increase.

     

    If you have to have the utmost performance from a S1155 server chip with onboard graphics, there’s no other option. For most workstation users, however, the 3% is probably not going to be noticed – whereas the $90 could go towards a 128GB SSD or something similar where you’ll get a tangible speed boost. We would recommend taking a long hard look at the price difference – if you need it it’s $90 well spent but we’re pretty sure that most people will go with the E3-1245V2 at the end of the day and spend their $90 elsewhere.

  • Noctua NM-I2011 mounting kits

     

    One of the better tower coolers which fits inside a 4U server chassis is the Noctua NH-U12P SE2, but by default they only ship with Socket 775/1155/1156/1366 and AM2/2+/3 mounting gear – leaving anyone who wants to use the baby Noctua cooler with their Socket 2011-based server out in the cold. Fortunately, Noctua have a Socket 2011 mounting kit available as an extra: the NM-I2011.

     

     

    If you can provide Noctua with a receipt of the cooler purchase (and please note that this applies to a number of Noctua coolers, not just the 92mm variants) and a S2011 CPU or motherboard receipt they will ship one to you for free. Most of our customers report that they receive them within 2 weeks of submitting the request; for those who can’t wait we stock the mounting kits for $5. Inside you get everything you need except thermal paste:

     

     

    The instructions are easy to follow and the kit completely replaces any existing mounting hardware attached to the  cooler, providing a very firm and secure mount.

     

    Kudos to Noctua for providing these for free for those who aren’t in a hurry – their customer service is excellent and their products come highly recommended from the team at Switched On Tech Design. You can find more info on their coolers at:

     

    www.noctua.at

     

    and the NM-I2011 Mounting Kit Order Form at:

     

    http://www.noctua.at/main.php?show=nm_i2011_upgrade_order&setlng=en

     

     

  • Is there any difference between a CPU assembled in Malay and one from Costa Rica?

    On the top of any modern Intel CPU you will see the country of assembly printed, and it will be either Malay or Costa Rica. Back in the day this could mean the difference between a chip with excellent overclocking potential and a dud; how about now?

     

     

    In a nutshell, no more difference than you get with normal batch-to-batch variation. Intel’s Copy Exactly program apparently works as intended – controlling every possible controllable variable involved in the assembly process to eliminate any differences. You can read more about Copy Exactly on Intel’s website (link) – the origins of this process actually date back to the 1980s.

     

    So if you end up with one or the other, relax – neither one is going to automatically mean a better chip.

  • Intel’s Socket 2011 vs. 1155/1156 – A size comparison

    For those moving from 1155/1156/1366 you might be a little surprised at just how much bigger the new CPUs are; it’s little wonder that they require a twin-lever clamping system on the motherboard.

     

     

     

    Customer’s old CPU on the right (Intel i7-870, Socket 1156) and their new CPU on the left (i7-3820, Socket 2011). That’s a lot of extra CPU real-estate for all those extra pins – almost 900 more. It’s quite a bit heavier in the hand, too.