Why Does the Ascent Software Run So Slowly on my New PC?
QUESTION
Why does the Ascent software run so slowly on my new PC?
ANSWER
A conflict may exist between your new computer's CPU and the software being used to serve Ascent's .GDB databases. CodeGear/Borland Software Corporation's InterBase 6.0 and 6.5 database servers do not function correctly with newer multi-core CPUs, multiple processor architectures using SMP (Symmetric Multiprocessing), or variations of the SMP and SMT architectures such as Intel's Hyper-threading (HTT) technology; as used in some Pentium 4 processors.
Newer processors to also use these technologies include many common dual-core Intel (Core Duo, Core 2 Duo, Xeon, Pentium D) and AMD (Athlon64 X2, Quad FX and Opteron) models.
These processors are able to effectively utilize only a single processor, whether physical or virtual, when running InterBase. The presence of additional CPUs or cores will actually slow the operation of the InterBase software (and therefore the Ascent software), as processes are continuously 'swapped' between processors in an attempt to balance the CPU load.
In order to run the Ascent software on computers with this conflict, InterBase must be removed and Firebird 1.5 or later installed and used instead (Remember to uninstall InterBase before installing Firebird!). If InterBase is not already present, Firebird will be installed automatically during any fresh Ascent software installation.
If InterBase cannot be removed for any reason, the conflict may be resolved by disabling the CPU's Hyper-threading capabilities through the PC's BIOS, but we do not recommend this procedure. Consult your computer's operating instructions or manufacturer for details on this procedure.
FAQ ID: 19323 Last Reviewed: 20 June 2007