real-time on multi-user systems

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Jon Christensen (jmc++at++UCSD.EDU)
Mon, 24 Jun 1996 15:35:22 -0700

We are considering the relative advantages/disadvantages of buying
a dedicated machine for interactive graphics vs. adding more
processors to our current machine and using processor locking,
running as root, to try and get real-time performance out of the
machine while still supporting other users. The second option
would be much cheaper for us.

What I'm wondering, though, is whether this is practical? If we
have 8 processors, for example, and lock down 4 for graphics, with
the remaining 4 being available for the OS and other (non-graphics)
users, will we get frame drops, etc. Would bus contention be a big
probem? Does anyone have experience with a set-up like this?

thanks in advance,
Jon Christensen

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Jon Christensen phone: (619) 642-0343
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering fax: (619) 534-7654
University of California, San Diego email: jmc++at++ece.ucsd.edu
3050 Urey Hall Addition, 9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla, CA 92093-0339 http://sdchemw1.ucsd.edu/~jmc

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