-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 On Thursday 05 September 2002 06:24 pm, steve thompson wrote: > I am running Debian 3.0 with the 2.4.18 kernel on a > Fujitsu P-2040, which has > a Transmeta Crusoe 800MHz processor and 256 > MB of ram. The laptop also > dual boots Windows XP. I was comparing processing > times > with the two operating systems on the same machine > to run various calculations, random number > generations, > and graphics (using the same statistical program and > version (in R) on both sides. What I find is, first, > Linux > will handle a much larger problem than XP. But for > some intermediate sized problems, the total processing > time was about 10 to 20 percent faster with XP.
This discovery doesn't really surprise me after seeing how hard and well Linux works on my systems. Another test, though this is about the most processor intensive, is setiathome (try it for yourself for the sake of science). My box currently completes a work unit every 3.5(ish) hours. Fortunately, I don't have windows to compare it too! I started to run it on my laptop while it is on AC power, but discovered it was getting dangerously hot, even with the fan on. > This is in contrast to what I found with the desktop > I work on, which has a similar setup with Debian 3.0 > with the 2.4.18 kernel dual booting with Windows XP. > There, as well as handling > much larger problems, Linux does the processing > consistently 20 to 80 percent faster. That machine > has a Pentium IV 2.2 MHz processor and 1 GB of rdram. > But in each case the comparison is within machine. Yes, but if your new processor is a Transmeta then it would seem like it is living up to the company specifications, or at least that is what I have come to understand. > What this makes me wonder is if Linux, or my > particular > configuration, may not be as efficient as it could be > for the Crusoe. I do have something called "crusoe" > enabled in the kernel configuration. And I installed > a patch that people use to make DMA work with the > P-2000 series. What does this patch actually do? I think Transmeta is attempting to make a leaner chip that consumes less current, therefore causes less heat which greatly extends the useful charge of each laptop power pack. So, does this patch perhaps enable Linux to scale back a little to enable the chip's performance characteristics? > Does anyone have any similar experience or advice > regarding a laptop with the Crusoe? I don't, but your story is most assuredly grasping my attention! I hope you can drop another mail as you learn more about what you own. > Incidently, I really like that processor for what I > use this laptop for, even though it may not be the > fastest. What I like, compared to my previous > Pentium-based laptop, is the way it stays so quiet > and cool while I work. But I am wondering if Linux > might use this processor less efficiently than > possible > or if it is more likely something about my > configuration. > > Steve gl Steve, tatah - -- Jaye Inabnit\ARS ke6sls\/A GNU-Debian linux user\/ http://www.qsl.net/ke6sls If it's stupid, but works, it ain't stupid. I SHOUT JUST FOR FUN. Free software, in a free world, for a free spirit. Please Support freedom! -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: GnuPG v1.0.6 (GNU/Linux) Comment: For info see http://www.gnupg.org iD8DBQE9eCmLZHBxKsta6kMRAv+mAKDZv4coQFC6Paa7dGT7pNq3tFlEEgCePzws DkekgNWoVT5z/eZ3sXHMC3A= =9KTA -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----
