[hpsdr] Computer required for HPSDR - a little bit off topic

[John]

Hi Jim,

What you use for a PC probably depends a lot on how you operate. Each 
program activity you run concurrently will use PC resources. For 
example, in JT65 I like to decode all the signals in over 3 kHz of 
bandwidth, even when I'm working a station.   I also like to use more 
resolution in the Hermes panoramic frequency display.

My old AMD dual core would run Hermes with PowerSDR fine, but JT65HF 
slowed way down and the PC would not decode the signals until too 
late.  Also, it was using Windows XP.

I built an computer using an Intel i5 processor on an ASUS 
motherboard and everything works wonderfully.  The window in PowerDSR 
typically shows 18% utilization.  I run Hermes, PowerSDR, and either 
WSJT-X or FLdigi, along with my logging program.  I also check Email 
and Up/Down load to LoTW at the same time.  I use 64bit Windows 7 Pro 
and the C drive on my PC is a solid state drive.  I use 8 GB of memory.

This all should allow for some expansion as more programs and 
features are added.

I'm not a computer expert, but my research 18 months ago showed the 
Intel chips use less electricity for the same processing power than 
the AMD chips.

My experience with HPSDR is limited to using Hermes.  I know Phil has 
made several improvements to the firm ware for it, and I have always 
installed the newest firmware.  I think soon the gigabit ethernet 
firmware will be released.  I don't know if this will perk up your 
rig or not.  Right now my Hermes runs on 100 megabit ethernet.

I like tower PCS, but if you operate ARRL Field Day a laptop might be 
the way to go.  I wish I'd have thought about that before I build my tower!

73,

John  WoGN



At 09:28 PM 1/7/2015, Jim Sanford wrote:
>***** High Performance Software Defined Radio Discussion List *****
>
>All:
>I have been a bit disappointed with HPSDR performance. Specifically, 
>CPU load is high, I can't run RX2 without unacceptable distortion on 
>both receivers, and forget the Automatic Noise Limiter.
>
>I am using a dedicated computer specifically built for HPSDR:
>     Intel Atom  CPU D250 @ 1.8 GHz
>     4.0 GB RAM
>     Windows 7 SP1, 32 bit.
>Software:
>     Avast Anti-Virus
>     Firefox browser (only runs to get info, software/firmware 
> updates, does not run when using HPSDR
>     HP Generic Print Driver
>     the HPSDR software, pretty sure I'm on the latest version of 
> the mRX flavor.
>     drivers for LogiTech wireless mouse and keyboard
>
>It is connected to the HPSDR hardware via a giga-bit network switch 
>here in the shack.  Access to the internet is via another gigabit 
>switch, a Linksys router, and a satellite modem.  Due to satellite 
>internet latency, I have no intention of trying to run HPSDR other 
>than on local network.
>
>Based on what I think I read on here, I would have expected this 
>system to be more than adequate.  I do not think it is, based on the 
>performance I'm seeing.
>
>Background:  (The partially off-topic part)  The spousal unit's 
>laptop, which she uses for email and web browsing just died.  I have 
>recovered the data off the hard disk which appears to be good.
>
>SO, here's the questions:
>1.  What is the assessment of this learned group of the adequacy of 
>my HPSDR computer?
>2.  If the hardware is assessed as adequate, any suggestions on 
>changes to make?  In particular, I note that MS loads a LOT of 
>services, which I suspect I don't need in this dedicated use.  Can 
>someone point to a list of things I could disable, or a list of 
>things that I MUST have?  I've turned a few that are obvious OFF, 
>but do not know enough about the guts of Win7 to go any further 
>without guidance.
>3.  If the hardware should be adequate, are there any other 
>suggestions to improve performance so that I could at least run the second RX?
>4.  If the hardware is inadequate to HPSDR (In which case this 
>device will be repurposed as the spousal unit machine, she doesn't 
>need a laptop, just a small footprint on the desk), what would be 
>minimum hardware to successfully enjoy all of HPSDR functionality? 
>I'd like to keep it small (hence the atom) because once successful, 
>a duplicate will be built to go on the road in a microwave rover station.
>5.  In particular, is there something other than Intel I should be 
>looking at?  As I built this thing, I found documentation, drivers 
>and support to be "sub-optimal".
>
>Thanks!!
>73,
>Jim
>wb4gcs at amsat.org
>
>
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