CPU usage meter doesnt change much after processor upgrade

MELTHEDOG13 · Post by **MELTHEDOG13** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:31 pm

Hi all-

I've been running DP7 for a while on my 2006 3.0ghz Mac Pro dual core (quad core), with no real problems. Recently though, I've got a few projects where my CPU meter is getting into the red and causing projects to stop during play back. So I went ahead and sprung for a CPU upgrade to two quad core Xeon x5365 3.0ghz CPU's, giving me a 8 core machine. I tested my computer before and after the upgrade and it went form a Geekbench score of 6262 to 10569--pretty sweet right....? Well, the problem is that I am still getting red CPU spikes on projects with the 8 core CPU as I did with the 4 core CPU. Can anyone help shed some light on this....?

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:41 pm

If it is the DP feature to stop audio on spikes that is stopping playback, then just disable that in the preferences. I know, it makes no sense, but since about DP 3 or 4 disabling the "auto stop" with CPU spikes (I forget which actual preference it's in) will usually solve the problem. I'm guessing that Apple's Activity Monitor will show less of a CPU hit. I'm not sure why DP sees that but it does every so often, even on less demanding projects.

MELTHEDOG13 · Post by **MELTHEDOG13** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:47 pm

Very interesting. So basically, DP isn't necessarily working the CPU as hard as the DP CPU meter may say that is.....

FutureLegends · Post by **FutureLegends** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:52 pm

I have the same machine and have also upgraded it with the X5365s. I was a bit underwhelmed with the improvements. I'm only having problems with processor spikes when using VIs and need to keep the buffer low. Men mixing pure audio recordings I'm still to run it to it's limits.
My theories:
1) DP is not very efficient in it's VI handling.
2) The memory, bus and other things in these ancient Mac Pros are not fast enough causing bottlenecks for the processor.

As I cannot afford a new machine my plan is to wait for DP8 and see if that improves things. If not, get VEP and SSDs for the system and samples.

FutureLegends · Post by **FutureLegends** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 2:57 pm

MELTHEDOG13 wrote:Very interesting. So basically, DP isn't necessarily working the CPU as hard as the DP CPU meter may say that is.....

DP always shows more CPU use (+spikes) than the Activity Monitor utility. Usually in my projects Activity monitor shows a steady use of 30-35% across all cores while DP is jumping madly between 40-80%.
Even if DP isn't stopping, the spikes sometimes cause cracks and pops.

These issues are almost the only problems I'm having with DP, but they are serious enough to really mess with my workflow.

MIDI Life Crisis · Post by **MIDI Life Crisis** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 3:44 pm

Just turn off the DP pref and we're done here - unless you're totally crapping out after that.

FutureLegends · Post by **FutureLegends** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 4:05 pm

In my case the processor spikes makes working with low enough buffers impossible. Which is annoying as the Activity Monitor just shows something like 40-50% of CPU use when DP craps out.

YouTube · Post by **James Steele** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 6:28 pm

Also consider dropping your work priority from High to Medium.

Killahurts · Post by **Killahurts** » Tue Jun 19, 2012 8:02 pm

I had that machine too, before I upgraded to a 12 core. I had the same problem, for a while..

I know this is counter-intuitive, and I do not have an explanation for it, but.. give it a while. The systems nowadays are so complex, I think it takes some usage before the computer knows what has happened with the upgrade, and finally, in a sort of quiet resolve, everything starts to work as it should. Like a wild horse.

When I first got the 12-core, I was very disappointed in the lack of extra performance in DP. I thought I had made a very costly mistake.. but at some point, I dunno, a month or two? The computer was "broken in", and I began to experience what has become the most powerful recording system I have ever used. Seriously, I have done some profound processing on this thing, and it never seems to buckle, not even close. I kept the same hard drives, other than the startup drive, so it's kind of like you upgrading your processor.

Really, stay with it.. a few weeks from now, you will have a smile on your face, and you will be glad you upgraded.

malditoyanki · Post by **malditoyanki** » Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:39 pm

FutureLegends wrote:I have the same machine and have also upgraded it with the X5365s. I was a bit underwhelmed with the improvements. I'm only having problems with processor spikes when using VIs and need to keep the buffer low. Men mixing pure audio recordings I'm still to run it to it's limits.
My theories:
1) DP is not very efficient in it's VI handling.
2) The memory, bus and other things in these ancient Mac Pros are not fast enough causing bottlenecks for the processor.

As I cannot afford a new machine my plan is to wait for DP8 and see if that improves things. If not, get VEP and SSDs for the system and samples.

It's number 1. This should likely be solved with DP8.

tyronehowe · Post by **tyronehowe** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:43 am

I have compared DP's CPU meter with Activity monitor many times.

My conclusion is that the DP's meter shows the thread with the highest CPU usage and not overall CPU usage.

Many times I have had DP (and Logic) stop with CPU overload even though my CPUs overall are being used quite lightly, but one core has hit 100%.

MELTHEDOG13 · Post by **MELTHEDOG13** » Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:42 pm

Thanks for all the good info everyone....Maybe with some time and fine tuning of settings I can get things in better order.

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