XEON E5 W2687-V2 under performing laptops etc in Matlab and other algo software

joshuanathan123 · May 1, 2014

Hi All,

This might sound really strange but i have a build with an E5 W2687-V2 in it with 32gb of ram, good SSD's and good GPUs. The build was meant to run Matlab code and other algos, what this board was made to do according to every review i read (after all its a server board).

However, after extensive benchmarking against a gaming laptop, and several other PC's and its taking substantially longer to process the code. Does anyone know why?

I mean it seems strange an i7 mobile processor would be better.

bambiboom · May 2, 2014

joshuanathan123,

The Xeon E5-2687w v2 has one of the highest processor calculation densities and should be fantastic on MATLAB.

There are a number of considerations to under-performance and perhaps a careful review of settings in both BIOS and msconfig, especially noting the settings having to do with hyperthreading and recognition of threads may solve the problem. Using CPU-Z or other application that describes the processor fully may help too, especially if the BIOS listing and monitor / app don't fully agree.

Another consideration is, oddly enough, to check the power settings. You didn't mention the OS used, but if Windows 7 is set to a power saving mode, the computer performance can be reduced by 50%. Check in Control Panel that the power settings are set to "performance". Recently, a Windows (7 Ultimate) update, without my knowing reset my HP z420 to power saving mode and the system rating in Passmark Performance Test was reduced from 3923 to 2204. The CPU performance score of 9123 was reduced to 5007. By the way, I have noticed a substantial increase in performance by using the Windows "Basic" theme- the animation and transparency of the Aero theme are severe pixel thieves.

You mentioned benchmarking for diagnostic reasons and this is very useful. I highly recommend Passmark Performance Test - there is a free 30-day trial- to quantify hardware and configuration changes. Because I am familiar with the weighting of these tests and typical scores, I might be able to help further if you report the results- CPU, 2D, 3D, memory, disk and etc. For example, if you run Performance Test and all the parameters are low excepting the 3D graphics score, then the condition would be similar to the situation I noticed when the power mode was reset by Update. The CPU score should be in the area of 16600 for a single or 24500 for dual E5-2687w v2.

For a friend, I recently researched a system for MATLAB (flight dynamics) and Catia (large assembly modeling /simulation). This used 2X E5-2687w v2, 128GB RAM, and a Quadro K5000. However, the system was not configured as the work was contracted to someone.

I would be very interested to know what you discover.

Cheers

BambiBoom

HP z420 (2014) > Xeon E5-1620 quad core @ 3.6 / 3.8GHz > 24GB ECC 1600 RAM > Quadro 4000 (2GB)> Samsung 840 SSD 250GB /Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > AE3000 USB WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 > Windows 7 Ultimate 64 >[Passmark system rating = 3923, 2D= 839 / 3D=2048]

Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB ECC 667> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys 600N WiFi > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit >[Passmark system rating = 1859, 2D= 512 / 3D=1097]

2D, 3D CAD, Image Processing, Rendering, Text > Architecture, industrial design, graphic design, written projects

joshuanathan123 · May 2, 2014

bambiboom :

joshuanathan123,

The Xeon E5-2687w v2 has one of the highest processor calculation densities and should be fantastic on MATLAB.

There are a number of considerations to under-performance and perhaps a careful review of settings in both BIOS and msconfig, especially noting the settings having to do with hyperthreading and recognition of threads may solve the problem. Using CPU-Z or other application that describes the processor fully may help too, especially if the BIOS listing and monitor / app don't fully agree.

Another consideration is, oddly enough, to check the power settings. You didn't mention the OS used, but if Windows 7 is set to a power saving mode, the computer performance can be reduced by 50%. Check in Control Panel that the power settings are set to "performance". Recently, a Windows (7 Ultimate) update, without my knowing reset my HP z420 to power saving mode and the system rating in Passmark Performance Test was reduced from 3923 to 2204. The CPU performance score of 9123 was reduced to 5007. By the way, I have noticed a substantial increase in performance by using the Windows "Basic" theme- the animation and transparency of the Aero theme are severe pixel thieves.

You mentioned benchmarking for diagnostic reasons and this is very useful. I highly recommend Passmark Performance Test - there is a free 30-day trial- to quantify hardware and configuration changes. Because I am familiar with the weighting of these tests and typical scores, I might be able to help further if you report the results- CPU, 2D, 3D, memory, disk and etc. For example, if you run Performance Test and all the parameters are low excepting the 3D graphics score, then the condition would be similar to the situation I noticed when the power mode was reset by Update. The CPU score should be in the area of 16600 for a single or 24500 for dual E5-2687w v2.

For a friend, I recently researched a system for MATLAB (flight dynamics) and Catia (large assembly modeling /simulation). This used 2X E5-2687w v2, 128GB RAM, and a Quadro K5000. However, the system was not configured as the work was contracted to someone.

I would be very interested to know what you discover.

Cheers

BambiBoom

HP z420 (2014) > Xeon E5-1620 quad core @ 3.6 / 3.8GHz > 24GB ECC 1600 RAM > Quadro 4000 (2GB)> Samsung 840 SSD 250GB /Western Digital Black WD1003FZEX 1TB> M-Audio 192 sound card > AE3000 USB WiFi > HP 2711X, 27" 1920 X 1080 > Windows 7 Ultimate 64 >[Passmark system rating = 3923, 2D= 839 / 3D=2048]

Dell Precision T5400 (2008) > 2X Xeon X5460 quad core @3.16GHz > 16GB ECC 667> Quadro FX 4800 (1.5GB) > WD RE4 500GB / Seagate Barracuda 500GB > M-Audio 2496 Sound Card / Linksys 600N WiFi > Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit >[Passmark system rating = 1859, 2D= 512 / 3D=1097]

2D, 3D CAD, Image Processing, Rendering, Text > Architecture, industrial design, graphic design, written projects

Hello!

Thanks so much for this answer. I'm away on holiday this week but when i return i will try everything you have mentioned and come back to you. Hopefully we can resolve this issue. I will post benching scores etc and the appropriate screen shots.

I really appreciate all the help!

With respect to MSCONFIG what would you suggest i check / look for?

bambiboom · May 2, 2014

joshuanathan123,

Very pleased to help if I can.

I will need to do a little research. When you have the opportunity, might you give me the following information?:

1. Number of CPU's
2. CPU cooling ? ( Intel recommends liquid cooling for the E5-2687w v2 )
3. Motherboard maker and exact model number
4. RAM maker and exact model number > Did you choose this RAM from a list approved by the motherboard maker for the motherboard used?
5. GPU maker and exact model number
6. OS being used
7. Any instances of error messages during configuration

In addition to the ideas mentioned earlier, my other suspects are thermal throttling and incorrect RAM, possibly a single bad module or one with different timing.

Are you in the UK?

Still, here's hoping it the simplest thing- the power setting or similar.

Cheers,

BambiBoom

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XEON E5 W2687-V2 under performing laptops etc in Matlab and other algo software

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