What type of processor (CPU) will give the fastest simulation?
Almost all processors now have multiple cores. But most programs, including 5Spice, use only one or two cores. So the most important specification is clock speed. For very large circuits or processors with small on-board memory caches, the speed of the memory on the motherboard is also important. We recommend a dual core processor with the highest clock speed. Most dual cores run faster than similar 3 or 4 core processors because there are only two cores dissipating heat. Be aware that Intel and AMD sell lower cost processors with simplified architectures that reduce performance even though the clock speed may be the same as a more expensive model. Avoid the lowest cost models: Celeron, Atom, original Athlon, Sempron. As of late 2009, the AMD Phenom II 545 and 550 offer excellent architecture, speed and large on-board memory caches. You can overclock the 550 by at least 10% on any motherboard, using free software from the Internet. That gives 3.4 GHz. The Athlon II processors 240, 245,
