LEDTricks is a hog on CPU utilization

[stempile]

Make sure you test your controller of choice and LEDTricks at the same time to make sure you computer will be able to handle it. Because LEDTricks relies on your show computer's processing power to make it work vs a built in micro controller like the $EXPENSIVE$ boards do, you need to have a healthy computer.

All my LEDTricks related problems were because my computer couldn't keep up.

I am running now a 2.21 ghz (OC'ed) AMD Athon XP 2800+ with 1gb RAM. No other software running (not even virus scanner) except Vixen. To execute a Vixen sequence my CPU jumps up to and stays at 100% until the LEDTricks sequence is done running.

When running my Renard controller I use up 10-20% CPU. So Renard + LEDTricks = 120% CPU Utilization. That won't work so what suffers is the refresh rate on the LEDTricks board and the output from the Renard controller.

I had not started testing both together with my show computer until recently when I discovered this issue. RJ reported that he has a faster/newer computer then mine so he isn't having the same issues.

I either will run LEDTricks on one PC and the Renard on another or I will have to get a new windows box...

Good luck. Don't forget to test and test often!!!
ms

[wjohn]

so that Pentium 300 I have is not going to be able to do the task?

[stempile]

Test Test Test... don't risk having it not work and not enough time get something that will!!

ms

[stempile]

I tested the latest Vixen 2.0 Beta 3 on a Dell PC with an Intel HT Pentium 4 running at 2.8 (shows as two CPUs) with 1 gb RAM. I had lots of stuff running including virus scanner and my normal applications used on my workstation.

With a normal LEDTricks sequence running the CPU utilization was around 50%. Now if I couldn't only use that workstation at home!

ms

[biffklg]

I got me a new computer earlier this year that the ledtriks is running on. It has 1GB ram with an AMD Athlon 64X2 4.6GHz dual core and with all my normal stuff running, like right now, I am showing 55%. I was watching some break videos earlier and it peaked at 80% with a normal ledtriks sequence running and my virus scanner, AIM, Mailwasher and whatever else windows runs as XP Pro. I was able to run a sequence tonight advertising my xmas light show and happy halloween while I sat on the porch in my scuba stuff handing out candies. I sure am glad to have my ledtiks back again! It's still going. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[RJ]

Yes ron and I always said it was a hog and that it would take a healthy computer. I find it makes a big difference to have a dual core or hyperthreading the ledtriks will basicly use what every it gets almost, so that limits it to only eating half the computer so other items can run. If you change the priority level on the vixen that is running the ledtriks you might be able to take some time back from it. I cheat by offloading some of the work to the dmx dongle so it takes 2-4 % to run the light show and then ledtriks gets plenty.

[wjohn]

Well, it is a good looking hog.

[stempile]

I recently built a new server and AMD 64 Duel Core... I could take that down and run everything on that... or could upgrade one of my spare computers for I think about $200. Now mobo combo + 1gb memory. Waiting for the Frys ad that comes out Friday for decent combo prices.

Depending on what happens with the link between normal sequences and Ledtricks sequences will determine if I run everything on the same computer or two computers.

If KC is able to make the LedTricks trigger durring sequences I will run on the same computer. If the only way to run LedTricks is via scheduler I will write scripts and run it on a different computer...

Thats the plan for now... Has any one else thought about how to run lots of messages or animations during the show?

ms

[RJ]

I think from what KC said last night he is hammered with the little bugs in parts of the system that are a must for xmas like the scheduler and such so I would not plan on the ledtriks mods making it. I am planning to run it on the same computer but differtent times .. Ledtriks before and after and Seqences during the show. Next year we will hae the ability to do them both and I expect that with the help KC has offered to have a fix for high cpu utilization on the Ledtriks for everyone the beginning of the year.

[stempile]

I got lucky today. Was in the right place at the right time. I picked up a used 3.0 Ghz Intel Pentium with HT for cheap.

My new plan is to write Ledtricks scripts that will run as long as the Sequence. Then I will schedule both the sequence and Ledtricks script to start at the same time and repeat. It won't be exactly in sync, but it will be close enough.

ms