Another TG3 Question

[jaf]

Since I have an 8 core processor, I usually set up my renders at 8/64 min/max threads.  However, during the day when I'm likely to have to use my PC for other work, I set it at 6/6.  Then, the render usage is the predictable 75%.  However, I've noticed when I have a large population to calculate, my PC is nearly unresponsive until that process completes.  I'm guessing the populator ignores the render setting and uses every bit of processing it can find.  Is there a way to control that?

[yossam]

Use the instance cache..................it's a lifesaver. Get your populations where you want them and save the cache. If you make changes you will have to re-populate and re-save the cache.

[Kadri]

Nothing scientific but using the "Processor affinity" setting in "Task Manager" is more predictable to me in TG2-3.
I tried to change the core count at rendering too in Task Manager and did not get any problems at all.
Changed from full to one or from 1 to 8 without problems all the time for example.
But by doing this i leave the setting in TG 3 at 1/8.

I doubt it but use it with caution because i don't know if there could be any problems for others or not.

[Oshyan]

Yes, I believe you're right, the population threading does not respect the render thread settings in Preferences. I personally just set the application priority to "Below Normal" if I experience system responsiveness issues. But adjusting core affinity can also work.

- Oshyan

[Matt]

Populator v4 uses the preferred number of cores option in Preferences, although it may use more CPU than you'd expect. It does not use the render node settings. I would recommend using Preferences to control threading - this controls all threading in TG, not just rendering.

Matt

[jaf]

Thanks for all the replies.  I missed the "Override automatic number of cores detection" in the preferences.  I think setting that to 6 will work (test when my current render finishes.)  I'm hoping I can still use all 8 cores in my unattended use by leaving the preferences at 6 and setting my max in the rendering options.

[jaf]

Okay, a little follow-up.  It looks like setting my core detect to 6 but using a separate rendering threads of 6/64 works about as expected.  I expected around 75% usage when populating but it was a little higher (see image), though not enough to stop me from using my office software. So during the day, I can use this setup with six cores and a 6/6 rendering threads.  At night when I'm not actively using the PC, I can use the 8/64.

[Matt]

I'm hoping I can still use all 8 cores in my unattended use by leaving the preferences at 6 and setting my max in the rendering options.

You can if you set the minimum to 8 and the maximum to 8 or above.

Matt

[jaf]

Hi Matt,

I think we were posting about the same time.  The 6 cores in preferences and either 6/6 (day) or 8/64 (night - unattended) in render threads works great.