Slow simulation (start and stop)

[Rizard]

Hi,

I am a student recently started using Multisim for a specific course. 

Comparing my simulation time to other students it is unbelievably slow. I'm waiting 10 to 30 seconds longer then the average student to start or stop a simulation.

For many reasons I believe my current computer 'settings' will have something to do with it. And by that I mean, drivers, updates, anything really that could cause Multisim to slow down.

I currently also upgraded to a firm amount of RAM (8gig) for reasons other then the one mentioned. But hey, it could only help right?

Furthermore I'm using an Acer aspire 5740G if that can be of any assist in search to hardware bottlenecks or something.

I have been searching this forum on how to speed up Multisim but the settings (that I could change) don't seem to have any effect really.

One more thing, I do not think we are using that many components. Besides a few adders, word generators etc.

When starting the simulation I could definitely understand the waiting time, duh, it needs to 'load' and all. But then the 'stop simulation' option takes just as long.

It's pretty frustrating and with exams coming up by which I'm supposed to use this application, I would like to gain some time with Multisim running at normal speed.

No, I don't have the time to reinstall Windows atm.

Greetings

[Rizard]

When simulation (or starting 2). Only 2 out of 4 cores ar used and not even for the full 100% . 

+ In Windows Safe Mode, everything goes as it should, very fast.

[ThiCop]

Hello Rizard,

Which version of Multisim are you using?

Which Operating System are you using?

Is it 32 bits or 64 bits?

Do you have any behaviour like this in other software?

Are the two other cores used with other software?

[Rizard]

Hi ThiCop,

Which version of Multisim are you using? 11.0

Which Operating System are you using?Windows 7 Ultimate

Is it 32 bits or 64 bits? 64 Bit

Do you have any behaviour like this in other software?Not that I noticed.

Are the two other cores used with other software?The most recent test I did didn't have any other software open. The 2 other cores are idle.

Using other software, mostly only core 0 and 2 are being used. With photo editing there are moments when the 4 cores are used. But not as much as I'd like them to be.

An average usage :

Regards

[ThiCop]

Hello Rizard,

Can you send me the code you are using in Multisim?

If this issue also appears in other software, then most likely the cause of your behaviour is in how your OS handles the utilization of the cores.

[Rizard]

Here are exercises from class with wich I'm having these issues. 'oefening 7.3' is a biggy, here the simulation time (need to start and stop) exceeds 10 seconds, sometimes 30.

If my OS doesn't handle my cores the right way, why does Multisim work perfectly in Safe Mode?

Regards

[ThiCop]

Hello Rizard,

If you run Windows in safe mode, then alot of "features" of Windows are turned off or used in a simplified/other way.

The fact that it does "work" in "Windows 7 Safe Mode" and not in "normal Windows 7" is an indication that something in the "normal Windows 7" is causing this behaviour and not Multisim itself.

Can you give me some more information about your processor.

I looked at the Acer site, but there seem to be alot of different possible set-ups. (http://support.acer.com/acerpanam/notebook/2009/acer/aspire/Aspire5740G/Aspire5740Gsp2.shtml)

One thing that could be the cause is the Power Management schedule that is being used on your PC in the "normal Windows 7".

Can you check if your Power Plan is set to "High Performance"? (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/9090/learning-windows-7-manage-power-settings/)

[Rizard]

Hi again,

I do also believe Windows is oncemore being an issue.

Anyway, here are my CPU specs. It is in Dutch but I'm guessing that won't be a problem 😉

CPU

		CPU-Eigenschappen:
			CPU Type	Mobile DualCore Intel Core i5-430M, 2533 MHz (19 x 133)
			CPU Aanduiding	Arrandale-3M
			CPU stepping	C2
			Instructieset	x86, x86-64, MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, SSE4.1, SSE4.2
			Originele kloksnelheid	2266 Mhz
			Min / Max CPU Multiplier	9x / 63x
			Engineering Sample	Nee
			L1 Code Cache	32 KB per core
			L1 Data cache	32 KB per core
			L2 Cache	256 KB per core (On-Die, ECC, Full-Speed)
			L3 Cache	3 MB (On-Die, ECC, Full-Speed)
		Multi CPU:
			CPU #1	Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 430 @ 2.27GHz, 2260 Mhz
			CPU #2	Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 430 @ 2.27GHz, 2260 Mhz
			CPU #3	Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 430 @ 2.27GHz, 2260 Mhz
			CPU #4	Intel(R) Core(TM) i5 CPU M 430 @ 2.27GHz, 2260 Mhz
		CPU Technische Informatie:
			Verpakkingstype	988 Pin rPGA
			Verpakkingsformaat	37.5 mm x 37.5 mm
			Transistoren	382 miljoen
			Procestechnologie	32 nm, CMOS, Cu, High-K + Metal Gate
			Verpakkingsoppervlak	81 mm2
			GMCH: Transistoren	177 miljoen
			GMCH: Procestechnologie	45 nm, CMOS, Cu, High-K + Metal Gate
			GMCH: Verpakkingsoppervlak	114 mm2
			Typische prestatie	25 W
		CPU Fabrikant:
			Firmanaam	Intel Corporation
			Productinformatie	http://ark.intel.com/search.aspx?q=Intel Core i5-430M
			Driver Update	http://www.aida64.com/driver-updates

My notebook is, as always in energy saving mode. To keep my battery as less stressed as possible. Also, while using the adapter, windows is identifying the current setting as: 'energy/power saving'.

Regards

[ThiCop]

Hello Rizard,

If you're always in Energy Saving Mode, then it's normal that Windows turns off some of active cores or significantly reduces their actrivity.

This is by default done by any Energy Saving mode (in almost all Operating Systems).

The easiest way to save power is to have less CPU cores running or to let the CPU run at a lower rate.

So the only solution in this case will be to change your Power/Energy Saving settings.

[Rizard]

Hi again,

Sorry for the delayed response. 

In the mean time I found some new helpfull information conserning this issue.

A friend from school has the exact same CPU (and notebook for that matter) and is running Windows 7 as well, though he has no problems in simulating anything. In fact, when simulating our latest exercise, a chronometer, his simulation speed (clearly visible on the displays) is much much higher. This when our CLOCK_VOLTAGE both runs at 1000kHz.

Also noticed that Multisim is a one-thread program and is therefor only using '25 % processor' (see taskmanager).

The one thing different atm is that this is Windows 7 Ultimate and he has Windows 7 Home Premium. I will test this OS in the future.

Grts