CPU Core & getting more performance from my computer

[chip715]

Just a random question about hardware.
I currently have a 12 core CPU (AMD Ryzen 5900x), and I was wondering about if there was any way to making my score a bit less laggy to edit an orchestral score.
is there a setting where I can some how push my cores more? I only really ever see like 4 cores engage at once when I use dorcio.

PC Specs:
Windows 10
Ryzen 5900x
Rtx 3070
32 Gb DDR4 ramn 3200mhz
PCIe gen 4 Nvme SSD 2 Tb

[DanielMuzMurray]

I feel like I’ve read somewhere that because Dorico does lots of consecutive processing, that it can’t really utilise a heap of cores? This could have changed though, or just be wrong.

[benwiggy]

While more cores are always better, you can’t necessarily keep splitting tasks over an infinite number of cores. Some calculations can only begin when the previous one has completed. Sequences of instructions get grouped together into threads, which generally all run on the same core.

There are ways that you can improve things while you’re working: don’t turn Condensing on until you have to; only have one tab/window open. Large audio samples can also have an effect.

[DanielMuzMurray]

Also, while I input music in Galley view, I add system/frame breaks in the score so it doesn’t keep having to calculate note spacing/casting off etc as much.

[Y-D]

@benwiggy

While more cores are always better

Not quite true.
For some workloads, you are better with a processor offering fewer cores, but running at faster GHz.
And you provided the reason why yourself in the next sentence:

@benwiggy

Some calculations can only begin when the previous one has completed.

The race to higher core counts is another marketing fluff that is not applicable to everyone’s workflow.

Now to answer @chip715 original question, there are a few things you could do to improve performance: (aside from the other good suggestions provided above)

First is to cleanup/disable/remove all unnecessary software running in the background eating CPU cycles. But if you already have idle cores… this might not help that much in your case.

The other thing you can do is to improve cooling! The cooler your processor runs, the more time it will be able to go in “turbo” mode.
Just for fun a few years ago, I turned off the heating in my office on a very cold winter day just to make a test… I’m nuts I know, but some benchmarks ran 9% faster just because of that!
I also “repaired” my sister’s computer just by vacuuming the cat’s hair that was clogging the CPU heatsink - true story!

Just be mindful of the ambiant temperature surrounding your computer and use a high-quality heatsink with plenty of airflow and you may measure a few % improvement.

BTW, it’s not your case here, but anyone still using a classic HDD must upgrade it to an SSD! If you have not already, you will see your 10yr-old computer instantly feel like half its age!

[DanielMuzMurray]

@Y-D

@benwiggy

While more cores are always better

Not quite true.
For some workloads, you are better with a processor offering fewer cores, but running at faster GHz.
And you provided the reason why yourself in the next sentence:

@benwiggy

Some calculations can only begin when the previous one has completed.

The race to higher core counts is another marketing fluff that is not applicable to everyone’s workflow.

I read it as @benwiggy implying the same:

@benwiggy

While more cores are always better, you can’t necessarily keep splitting tasks over an infinite number of cores. Some calculations can only begin when the previous one has completed.