solution ! disabling hyperthreading on new mac pro running windows

[music project]

when running PT LE on "nehalem" or i7 processors there is no option to select using less then the maximum number of cores in the setup menu.

this causes errors and stability issues and leave not enough breathing room for the windows os for backround stuff.

on PC you can disable hyperthreading in the "bios" and then "unlock" the cpu options in PT.

since there is no "bios" on macs, the only way to disable hyper threading running windows on a new mac pro "nehalem" using bootcamp is as follows :

right click "my computer" > properties > advanced > startup and recovery > settings > edit

you have to edit you boot.ini file:

first, copy the last line and paste it under so you'll have two identical lines.
this loads up a dialog on start up where you can chosse what line to use so in case the new one fails you can recover.

now, on the new line you created add:

"/numproc=8"

save

mine is an 8 core machine so my only option was to work with 16 cores.

after making the change to the boot.ini file i can select between 1 thru 8 cores to be assigned to PT.

if you have a 4 core machine just add: "/numproc=4" as the number of your phisical cores.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/170756/ (scrolll down).

[dougied]

Originally Posted by music project

when running PT LE on "nehalem" or i7 processors there is no option to select using less then the maximum number of cores in the setup menu.

this causes errors and stability issues and leave not enough breathing room for the windows os for backround stuff.

on PC you can disable hyperthreading in the "bios" and then "unlock" the cpu options in PT.

since there is no "bios" on macs, the only way to disable hyper threading running windows on a new mac pro "nehalem" using bootcamp is as follows :

right click "my computer" > properties > advanced > startup and recovery > settings > edit

you have to edit you boot.ini file:

first, copy the last line and paste it under so you'll have two identical lines.
this loads up a dialog on start up where you can chosse what line to use so in case the new one fails you can recover.

now, on the new line you created add:

"/numproc=8"

save

mine is an 8 core machine so my only option was to work with 16 cores.

after making the change to the boot.ini file i can select between 1 thru 8 cores to be assigned to PT.

if you have a 4 core machine just add: "/numproc=4" as the number of your phisical cores.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/170756/ (scrolll down).

Where do you get 16 cores from 8? It's a Dual Quad Core which means there are a total of 8 cores and not 16. 2x4=8

[music project]

from apple's site:


The virtue of virtual cores.

The new Intel Xeon “Nehalem” processors support Hyper-Threading, which allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core. So an 8-core Mac Pro presents 16 virtual cores that are recognized by Mac OS X. Performance is enhanced because Hyper-Threading enables the processor to take better advantage of the execution resources available in each core.

apparently, hyper threading is enabled by default.

[Ducatista]

Originally Posted by music project

from apple's site:


The virtue of virtual cores.

The new Intel Xeon “Nehalem” processors support Hyper-Threading, which allows two threads to run simultaneously on each core. So an 8-core Mac Pro presents 16 virtual cores that are recognized by Mac OS X. Performance is enhanced because Hyper-Threading enables the processor to take better advantage of the execution resources available in each core.

apparently, hyper threading is enabled by default.

hey!

Why are you using windows on the mac? I have the biggest dilemma whether I stick with LE8 on mac or windows.
Also, how many cores do you select for pro tools to use out of the 8? Do you get any buffer errors with that many? I am building an i7 this week hoping to run LE8 without hickups.

[music project]

hey ducatista.

i am running windows on my mac because i use some windows only plug ins in my projects, like edirol orchestral and other stuff.

i assign 7 cores out of the 8 for PT, and so far it is stable.

in general PT 8 is still not that stable as a software.

hoping the next cs updates will make it more stable, more rtas efficiant and able to make better use of the multi core platform.

[Milkyway]

Is there any way that you can use Landlord Insurance only apps on a mac if you dont use windows?? I knwo that it seem s silly question but i thought there might be a certain way around it that you might know of??

Thanks

[flommer]

silly question

You got it