Hardware Improvements & "Save" Performance

Recently, I've been working on an assembly drawing with 4 configurations, 6
sheets, 363 components, 200 of these "unique", and many of these unique
parts are sheet metal components. Using my 20 month old Toshiba Laptop, the
"save" times were getting too long and were effecting my productivity. I
made some improvements to both my Laptop and Desktop and here are the
summary results:
Note: All times from my wristwatch.
Default: Toshiba Laptop 5105-S501 512MG Ram = 35 seconds to "save" and/or
"crash".
Add 512 MG Ram = 25 seconds and/or "crash".
Enable 3 GB "Switch" = 13 seconds. (no more crashing)

Desktop P4 2.6 No H/T 2GB Ram 750 XGL 80GB HD IDE UMA 100 = 18 seconds to
"save"
Add SATA 74GB 10,000 Raptor HD, Retain existing 80GB HD as second HD,
partition this second HD (15/60), move "page file" to first partition, move
all data to second partition, enable 3GB "Switch" = 8 seconds

Best Regards,
Devon T. Sowell
www.3-ddesignsolutions.com

 

Just for curiosity, take a look at your task manager and see what the peak
commit charge goes to. I too am a bit baffled as to why save times would
improve with the switch. The only thing I can think of is that maybe it
changes how the information is stored, as in it can access it more
efficiently. But even that thought doesn't hold much water.

WT

 

My guess would be that it has something to do with swapping programs and
other data in and out of memory making it easier for the OS to accomodate
SW need for contiguous memory. I have a little test part that can run SW
out of memory under certain conditions. I suppose Devon has found another
case were this is so.

 

Can you explain in basic terms what the "3GB switch" actually does?

I must admit, I didn't pay attention or read about it a few weeks back
when it was noted in the group.

Thanks - Bo

 

Shame on you! Ok, that was my tough voice....

I just emailed the 2 articles to you - read up and come back with more
questions.

One of the issues we didn't cover was the faster saves being reported in
this thread, and it appears that either we don't understand something (very
possible), Devon is getting some other influence in there that isn't being
realized (also possible), or he's just yanking our chain (definitely
possible.) Hopefully by enough testing, we can zero in on this one.

WT

 

also I wonder if there will be problems with XPsp2 which is out soon??

 

Hello Wayne-
I don't have time to "yank chains", I'm too busy to bother with such
nonsense.
Also, I'm not really interested in debating if or why I got these results,
again, I'm too busy. I posted these results to help others. That's all. If
you choose not to believe them, I really don't care.
I don't have time to "uninstall" and then "reinstall" these hardware
components and software settings to present more information about this
subject, again, that's why I posted what I had.
The "3GB Switch" issue has been posted here many times in the past. A simple
search on "Google" will display the results required to make a decision
about installation.
Best Regards,
Devon T. Sowell
www.3-ddesignsolutions.com

 

Hey, I sense a chill in your post here - apparently you couldn't see the
tongue in my cheek from there. No harm was intended from my end, rather
just a bit of fun. Apology accepted?

I've been around here long enough to know that things aren't always what
they seem to be, so therefore when something unusual comes along, I like to
get to the bottom of it. Understanding why something happens makes for
better utilization of the benefits. Knowing more than just passing
knowledge about the 3Gb switch makes me realize that what you presented
doesn't make sense at face value, but that's also what makes it intriguing.
I really didn't think you made it up, but not being able to explain the
observation, leads one to throw out various possible explanations, most of
which will be wrong. Food for thought.

WT

 

I just came across this article, which addresses 3GB switch in XP Pro SP1.
I would guess if they've provided a hotfix for SP1 there will be support in
SP2, but who knows. If you are REALLY curious, get a copy of SP2 RC1
(plenty floating around usenet)...

http://www.d-digest.com/ssa/v3i1/model_tips_review.html#solutions