 |
[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date index][Thread index]
Re: st: optimal configuration for windows 32/64
I have been running 32-bit Stata in a 64 bit windows box. (XP x64, not
Vista). Works well. Kept the 32-bit Stata because the licensing allows
us to install at home as well, and we're not 64-bit at home.
64-bit windows and applications are not for everyone. I use it for
Matlab and imaging, but it is overkill for Stata. The OS has
idiosyncrasies, and addressing is slower. Unless you are going to work
on gargantuan data sets or large images, you will not see a benefit, and
things may even slow down.
P
David Jacobs wrote:
As you probably already know 64 bit Windows machines can access far
more memory that their 32 bit counterparts.
And since Stata places data in memory, this is an important advantage
if you wish to analyze huge data sets. But there currently are
disadvantages. If my understanding is correct, many standard programs
now won't work in a 64 bit machine, although this situation probably
will gradually improve. It follows that if you plan to use the
machine in question only with a few specialty programs like Stata, and
you wish to analyze extremely large data sets, than a 64 bit machine
probably is a good idea, but you should buy a lot of memory to benefit
of the one major advantage offered by this choice.
As far as speed is concerned, I know of two options. Particularly if
you are buying thru an academic or a governmental account (but I'm not
sure about Dell discounts for non US governments), you can get a good
price on a workstation from Dell. I have a four core processor Dell
machine that seems to be faster than the standard consumer boxes with
a strong chip and I only had to spend a bit more than what you plan to
spend.
Another option is to get a middle range box designed for computer
gamers. These machines are fast, but I wouldn't let them sell you a
computer with fancy paint or other unnecessary items. Also if you
only want to use such a machine for data analysis, be sure to
economize on the graphics card. Gamer machines come with expensive
cards that you won't need for data analysis.
I'd be interested in other thoughts on this issue by people on this list.
Dave Jacobs
At 08:50 PM 2/7/2008, you wrote:
Dear all
I have been searching the statalist archives looking for advice on
optimal configuration to run stata in a windows 32 bit and in a
windows 64 bit environments, but I did not got a clear answer to my
queries.
I need to work with census data uploading into memory about 2
gigabites of data. My questions are the following
1. should I go for windows 64 instead of windows 32?
2. If I go for a Microsoft 64 OS, would I notice a performance
improvement if i switch from a stata 32bit to stata 64bit?
2. Any advice about the best processor around? I have around US$ 4000
to spend in a computer that can allow me to work at reasonable speeds
with a census database.
I appreciate your help
Julio
_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today it's FREE!
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/
*
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
*
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/
--
E. Paul Wileyto, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biostatistics
Tobacco Use Research Center
School of Medicine, U. of Pennsylvania
3535 Market Street, Suite 4100
Philadelphia, PA 19104-3309
215-746-7147
Fax: 215-746-7140
[email protected]
http://mail.med.upenn.edu/~epw/
*
* For searches and help try:
* http://www.stata.com/support/faqs/res/findit.html
* http://www.stata.com/support/statalist/faq
* http://www.ats.ucla.edu/stat/stata/