DubaiAmateurRocketry
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Location: LA, CA, USA
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Running intensive computational softwares on laptops
I know, bad idea, I have a high end 2015 Xeon processor, and it works, kind of. Running an optimization using DFT B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) takes anywhere from
30-160 minutes.
I was thinking of getting a new laptop with the 6 cores, but would they just start burning from the thermal load?
I could do a desktop but I move around often.
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JJay
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You could use a cloud service. They are extremely portable and bill in intervals as low as one second. Google is running a free trial, but I think you
have to pay if you want more than eight cores on a single machine. They also provide access to GPUs and Google's custom tensor processors if you have
the cash.
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diddi
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you may be able to find a way of exploiting your GPU. so on a desktop, drop in a semi reasonable graphics card and you gets lots of grunt for not
much cost. eg RX570 only USD150
Beginning construction of periodic table display
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clearly_not_atara
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Quote: Originally posted by DubaiAmateurRocketry  | I know, bad idea, I have a high end 2015 Xeon processor, and it works, kind of. Running an optimization using DFT B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) takes anywhere from
30-160 minutes.
I was thinking of getting a new laptop with the 6 cores, but would they just start burning from the thermal load?
I could do a desktop but I move around often. |
Much more reasonable to run the computation remotely on your desktop. The big advantage aside from cost is that if you have to get up and go
somewhere -- say you get hungry -- the computation will keep running even when your laptop is suspended.
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Sulaiman
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Irrespective of processor type and computational intensity it is always a good idea to ensure good ventilation for laptops,
at least keep airways clear and clean out dust regularly.
External fan-assisted airflow often helps.
If you are using a HDD then changing to an SSD really makes a difference.
I've never come across a P.C. that runs faster with less RAM.
The real question is ... do you need or want a new P.C. 
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MJ101
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@clearly_not_atara: True. Also, a laptop tends to favor a low power plan. Yes you can change it, but they're not designed for that kind of punishment.
Adding a Solid State Drive may help, although the performance increase may not make enough of a difference to warrant the extra cost.
Also, all bets are off if the software is not designed to take advantage of multi-core CPUs and hyperthreading.
Running your calculations in a cloud is more than likely the most cost-effective approach, since some cloud computing systems allow for distributed
computation.
With that said, If you still want to get a laptop,take a look at digital audio workstations. You can get one that's designed to run for many hours,
because they use them to record shows and concerts.
Every time I look at the hardware here, I drool and cringe at the price. 
https://www.adkproaudio.com/
[Edited on 11-7-2018 by MJ101]
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