Dual vs Single Processor for STATA IC?

[Lena Rzheuska]

Hi guys, I’ve done extensive search but still cannot find an answer
(hope I didn’t miss it).

So, is there an advantage of using a dual
processor configuration (say, 2x Xeon 2620 2.4GHz) versus a single
processor with higher Hz (say, Xeon 1620 3.50GHz) if I am using Stata
IC (NOT stata MP).
I know that Stata MP provides support for multiple
cores and other Statas - don’t. However, here I am asking about two
separate processors (with potentially multiple cores). While I
understand that Stata IC will likely be ‘ignoring’ multiple cores
within each processor, I don’t know whether it will ignore the second
processor completely, or will actually utilize it for parallel
computing.

Thank you in advance! Olena

[ben earnhart]

Stata will completely ignore the other processor, just like it ignores additional cores. The only advantage you might get with dual processors is that if one processor is totally tied up with Stata, then the OS might distribute the workload of other processes to accommodate this. But you probably won't be running super-heavy-duty stuff while running an epic Stata model that maxes out a processor, especially a multi-core processor (you'd only be maxing out one core of one processor).

So for IC, you will get *much* more bang for your buck with the higher clock speed. I've noticed Stata IC jobs running faster on a ten year old machine with a higher clock speed than on a two your old multi-core with a lower clock speed, despite additional advantages the newer machine has like a bigger cache and bus speed.

(edit) BTW -- if you are in a situation where you can choose a monster machine with dual-Xeon processors, why not take the leap to at least MP-2 or MP4? Sure, it doesn't scale linearly, in that for most things MP-2 isn't twice as fast as IC, but since you seem to have extra $, seems worthwhile, since even your Xeon 1620 has four cores. OR perhaps your institutional license restricts what you can purchase software-wise?