WinRAR

[EWeber19]

I recently upgraded my computer and WinRAR isn't really acting as expected. I had a Q6700 2.67GHz Core 2 Quad OC'd to 3.2GHz w/ 8GB ram and a 7200 3.0GB's 2TB HD deskstar. Running 4 instances of compression WinRAR would maxed out 100% of all 4 cores and would work fast with the Best setting in WinRAR. I upgraded to a 17-980 Hexacore w/HT 3.33GHz OC'd to 4GHz with 24GB RAM and a WDRaptor 10000RPM 6Gb/s 450GB. Running WinRAR with the same compressing files, running 12 in parallel uses at most 10% of any core at any time and it takes much slower then before. Even just running 1 or 2 compression instances doesn't improve anything. I've set the priority to high, turned off HT, nothing seems to improve this. I've heard that the HDD is the bottleneck in the system for WinRAR but even that has been upgrade. Anybody have any ideas on what could cause this and a remedy? Thanks.

[Interrupt]

Welcome to TechIMO,

I have a really obvious question: why would you run multiple instances of a compression program? Server-side backups and/or for business purposes I'm guessing. If it is for personal use I'd not bother.

If it is absolutely necessary there are other batch compression tools that should be of more use to you then WinRAR. Things like whether or not the developers designed the program around multithreading play a strong role in whether it'll work on those quad sore systems.

This is a very old problem and WR has refused to do anything about it leading me to believe that MT on WinRAR is the least of their concerns.

Software... obviously a 64-bit variation of Windows is required (duh). Just make sure those device drives are ALL UP TO DATE and there are no conflicts or problems within Device Manager. Also ensure WinRAR is the latest possible stable version.

Your hardware specs are fine. HD speed is the next critical piece of to the puzzle but the WDRaptor should be fine, as you know - I'm assuming you know about business-level tech from your post - 10k RPM is perfect for backups, etc (actually the sustained speed matters more to me than the RPM which advertising often downplays but your drive is fine in both regards). The RAM is critical but you say you're running 24 GB and that sounds more than sufficient. The only other hardware recommendation is to check your FSB speed. I hear that the speeds on your FSB also does matter so ensure the speed is adequate (this depends on what type of make and model your mobo is). Lack of proper FSB speed will create CPU bottlenecking and may only be noticeable during CPU-intensive tasks (mass MT compression being one of them).

It also sounds like you need a corporate/big business software solution. Despite what their website may say I don't see WinRAR being widely used in this way but that's just my opinion. You aren't the first one with the problem either. Ever since version 3.60 was released (in the release notes it clearly stated MT was available), people have tried to run multiple instances of WR and, usually, failed.

So for MT/multicore/multiprocessor compression purposes I'd stay away from WinRAR and try to find something better. I hear 7-z (linked) is ideal for this but I can't confirm or deny that. Basically something which is coded better. I hate to say it because I'm a WR fan for personal use but from everything I'm reading WR isn't too helpful for big tasks. Maybe someone else can suggest something better than WR.

That's all my opinion though. Maybe someone else has another take on it.

If you are still pro-WinRAR you can see (very basic stuff you probably already know):
Xona Games - WinRAR Tip #5:* Run with Multi-Threading

Checking FSB speed via CMOS:
How to Determine the CPU FSB Speed | eHow.com

Also if you are still having trouble even while using other programs like 7-z the next step is to run some CPU benchmarks and see what's going on with that. Possibly some HD tests.

Enjoy your stay.

[EWeber19]

The reason I was running multiple instances of WinRAR for compressing was 1. The Quad Core only reached about 40-50% while running one instance, would max out at about 3 instances. 2. Running about say 20-25 I could walk away, come back in about 2-3 hours and everything would be compressed and I'd start over again. I compress the software and it gets transferred a storage site, I think I'm working with a 24TB RAID server now. I was just under the impression that if the quad core maxed out all cores, having 12 cores would mean that would be maxed out too but with more instances of WinRAR running. WinRAR will actually start out using about 60-70% of all cores for about 10 seconds, then drop off to about 10% usage with maybe 3 cores, the rest being under 10%, some 0% and the estimated time would just start climbing. I've tried 7z but not extensively. Using 7z utilize the CPU better but not as I expected. Never really used 7z under the quad core. Anybody have any suggestions for file compression software other then WinRAR or 7z? My goal is to have the best compression ratio, compression time is not really a factor but I would like the software to utilize the system I have.

[EWeber19]

I checked into the FSB and benchmarks for the system. The FSB is rated at QPI 6.4GT/S and running the benchmark during the WinRAR benchmark test, It was hovering around 3,546 KB/s. Ironically, the benchmark test actually used 60-70% across all cores.

[Gomar]

I would not run many instances of anything, especially not Winrar if you have important
files to backup. Yes, it saves time, but just dont do it.
Just like burning multiple CD-Rs/DVDs is a bad idea.

BTW, HDD are really cheap, why use compression at all? I saw a 1TB portable hdd for $99.