Hardware Benchmarking

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Introduction

We frequently get asked, "What is the minimum or recommended hardware to use for TUFLOW modelling". This is always a tricky question, as the answer depends on the type and size of the models you are going to be running! For a small model, TUFLOW should run on any modern PC or laptop that is capable of running Windows XP or later. However, for large models there may be requirements for a hefty computer running a 64 bit version of Windows.
The tables below showing computer specifications and model run-time should help you compare systems.
In this page we outline a hardware benchmark model which is available to download from the TUFLOW website the model can be simulated without a TUFLOW dongle (licence). This makes it easy to benchmark on a range of computers and the results are complied below.
We have typically found that the CPU speed is the largest influence on TUFLOW runtimes, with the RAM speed also having an influence for large models. In order to quantify this we are compiling the computational times required for a range of different machines.

Benchmark Model

The benchmark model is based on a “challenge” issued prior to the 2012 Flood Managers Association (FMA) Conference in Sacramento, USA. There is more information on the model setup and purpose in the FMA challenge model introduction.
This hardware benchmark is based on the second challenge which involves a coastal river in flood with two ocean outlets. The model has been modified slightly (mainly in terms of the outputs). It is setup to run use both the TUFLOW "classic" (CPU) and TUFLOW GPU (graphics card) solvers for a range of cell sizes.
Cell sizes

Cell Size (m) Number of cells
30 80,887
15 323,536
10 (GPU only) 727,865

The model runs for three days of simulation time (72 hours). The approximate run time for the 30m model on the CPU is likely to be ~20min and for the 15m version approximately 4 hours. Given the runtime for the CPU model at 10m resolution is likely to be > 12 hours, this is skipped in the benchmark (this can also be run with a licence).
To participate in the benchmark, please follow the steps below:

  • Download the model from http://www.tuflow.com/Download/TUFLOW/Benchmark_Models/FMA2_GPU_CPU_Benchmark.zip
  • Extract the model on a local drive of the computer you would like to benchmark.
  • Navigate to the TUFLOW\runs\ folder and run the "Run_Benchmark.bat" file. This checks if you are running a 32 or 64 bit system and then runs the benchmark. This also generates some output files that contain more information on the processor, memory and GPU that you are using.
  • Email the _ TUFLOW Simulations.log, cpu.txt, ram.txt and GPU.txt files to support@tuflow.com and we will includes these in the results tables below.

In order to be able to run the GPU model am nVidia graphics card that is CUDA compatible is required. For more information on this please see the release notes.
The computer information is determined in the batch file using the wmic and dxdiag commands.

CPU Results

The following table summarises the runtimes for a range of computers. More will be added when additional results are obtained. The table is ordered based on the 30m runtimes, with the fastest computers at the top of the table.
Runtimes for CPU benchmarks

Processor Name Processor Frequency (GHz)** RAM size (GB) RAM frequency (MHz) Runtime 30m (mins) Runtime 15m (mins) Runtime 10m (mins) System Name
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00GHz 4 32 2400 20.1 219.8 N/A BRA
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-5960 XCPU @ 3.00GHz 3 64 2133 21.53 247.55 N/A MON
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4670 CPU @ 3.40GHz 3.4 8 1600 23.9 256.7 N/A PAR
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4810MQ CPU @ 2.80GHz 2.8 8 1600 26.9 284.1 N/A EUK
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz 2.7 32 1600 29.1 308.12 N/A JT1
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-5820K CPU @ 3.30GHz 3.3 64 2133 29.2 317.1 N/A EOG
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3740QM CPU @ 2.70GHz 2.7 16 1600 31.7 301.5 N/A MJS
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-5820K CPU @ 3.30GHz 3.3 64 2133 33.08 317.86 N/A JAC
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4300U CPU @ 3.30GHz 1.9 8 1600 35.63 365.81 N/A LP1
Intel(R) Xeon(R) W3565 CPU @ 3.20GHz 3.2 12 1333 37.88 356.1 N/A LP2
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E3-1240 V2 @ 3.40GHz 3.4 32 1600 39.0 334.4 N/A XEO
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz 2.7 8 1600 39.5 420.7 N/A HUK
Intel(R) Xeon(R) E5-2630 CPU @ 2.30GHz 2.3 64 1333 40.1 393.92 N/A HUH
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2670QM CPU @ 2.20GHz 2.2 16 1333 40.3 375.33 N/A FFN
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) X5680 CPU @ 3.33GHz 3.33 64 1333 40.5 368.9 N/A WMD
Intel(R) Xeon(R) E5-1603 0 CPU @ 2.80GHz 2.8 16 1600 40.85 395.81 N/A LMD
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2643 V3 @ 3.40GHz 3.40 128 2133 40.5 377.1 N/A XYG
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-920 CPU @ 2.67GHz 2.67 12 1066 45.05 420.7 N/A REJ
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU W3505 @ 2.53GHz 2.53 4 1333 49.12 453.5 N/A JT2
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2670 V3 @ 2.30GHz 2.30 96 1333 61.43 545.03 N/A KUK

GPU Results

The following table summarises the runtimes for a range of computers. More will be added when additional results are obtained. The table is ordered based on the 30m runtimes with the fastest computers at the top of the table.
The GPU benchmark only uses a single GPU card. TUFLOW GPU can be run across multiple nVidia GPU devices. However, the benefits of these are typically more noticeable for larger models with more than 1 million cells. It is likely this benchmark will be extended to include a huge model in the future.
Runtimes for GPU benchmarks

Processor Name Graphic Card GPU RAM (GB) Number of CUDA Cores* Runtime 30m (mins) Runtime 15m (mins) Runtime 10m (mins) System Name
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4790K CPU @ 4.00GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4 2,048 1.4 7.8 24.4 BRA
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-5820K CPU @ 3.30GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4 2,048 1.73 9.05 24.95 JAC
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-5820K CPU @ 3.30GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4 2,048 1.8 8.7 25.2 EOG
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4670 CPU @ 3.40GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770 2 1,536 1.9 11.5 36.8 PAR
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E3-1240 V2 @ 3.40GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 2 1,536 2.3 13.7 43.6 XEO
Intel(R) Xeon(R) E5-2630 CPU @ 2.30GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 2 1536 2.35 12.95 41.5 HUH
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2643 V3 @ 3.40GHz NVIDIA Quadro K6000 4 2880 2.63 11.45 32.23 XYG
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-5960 XCPU @ 3.00GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti 2 640 2.93 18.9 61.48 MON
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5-2670 V3 @ 2.30GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 4 2048 3.33 11.46 29.53 KUK
2 x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU X5680 @ 3.33GHz NVIDIA Tesla C2075 1.2 448 3.4 19.1 58.4 WMD
Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU W3505 @ 2.53GHz NVIDIA Quadro K3100M 4 768 5.2 37.42 107.33 JT2
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2670QM CPU @ 2.20GHz NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560M 2 192 6.78 46.8 154.72 FFN
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-3740QM CPU @ 2.70GHz NVIDIA NVS 5200M 1 96 12.7 89.3 303.2 MJS
 * it is noted that the number of CUDA cores is not provided as an output from the '''dxdiag''' command and this information has been sourced from the nvidia website.<br>
** The output  cpu.txt only provides the 'out of the box' processor speed. If you have overclocked your cpu, then please send these details through to TUFLOW Support so we can add the correct clock speed.  

Discussion

The below preliminary results of the benchmark models have been based on the data submitted so far.

More will be added when the tables above are populated.

Average reduction in Runtime from CPU to GPU

  • 12.6x reduction in runtime for the 30m model
  • 23.8x reduction in runtime for the 15m model

Preliminary CPU Results

The below comparison of the CPU results presents a few interesting points for discussion

  • The runtimes for small, efficient models are pretty insensitive to hardware capabilities. The 30m model shows very little variance across CPU frequency
  • The runtimes for the 15m model show greater variance, largely linked to CPU frequency but not totally. The results are much more dispersed, perhaps reflecting chip variability or other systems factors.
  • The difference in runtime between the fastest and slowest hardware is much less than the difference in runtime for the 30m and 15m models. Thus, nothing can improve your model runtime like efficient systematisation!

File:Benchmark res2.jpeg


Preliminary GPU Results

  • Similar to the CPU results, decreasing the model cell size increases the variability in what runtime you'll get per CUDA cores
  • Unlike the CUP results, the variability in runtimes to cards is greater than the change in model cell size. Thus, it could be argued that the runtime of your GPU model is more dependent on the type of card you have than the runtime of your CPU model is on the processor frequency.
  • From the preliminary results, the NVIDIA GTX 980 seems a crowd favorite and performs well, returning the top 3 smallest runtimes.

File:Benchmark res1.jpeg