Multiple processors w/ MS Excel

[TKaminski]

Hello,

I have a financial model that runs a huge number of simulations. The model is written in MS Excel/VBA. Based on current time estimates, the model could take as much as 30 days to complete one series of cycles. The current PC hardware is a top notch Dell 8300 P4 3.2 with HT and 1 gig of memory, running Win XP Pro and Excel XP.

My question is this. If I were to run this same Excel program on a PC with multiple CPUs (either 2 or 4) will Excel run faster. I don’t know if Excel can make use of multiple CPUs or if that is more a factor of the operating system. Also, if this is a good way to go what operating system should I use to run Excel on with this need PC.

Also, is a “Workstation” the same as a PC with multiple CPUs? I just not clear if these two terms refer to the same type of hardware.

Thanks for the insight.
Tom

 

[mattdmoore]

Excel XP is not designed to properly make use of a multiple-processor platform. This is not to say it won't run faster on that system, it just means it isn't designed to do so. So my best answer is "maybe". If you're running a lot of simulations, RAM is key.

In answer to your other question, generally a multi-processor system is called a server, not a PC or workstation. The difference between a PC and workstation mostly has to do with what the system is used for. Here's a link:

http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid40_gci213385,00.html

Whatis.com has all your IT vocabulary needs.

Hope it was helpful

-MattD
C:\DOS... C:\DOS\RUN... \RUN\DOS\RUN

 

[TKaminski]

Thanks for the reply.

When I check the system resources under the task manager I see that less than 40% of the ram is being used. I though of adding the full 4 gig of ram that the PC can have installed, but I believe that since only 40% is currently in use that the extra ram will not speed things up. But this is just my guess, if others can say for sure I would love the education.

Thanks also for the help with PC vs Server vs Workstation.

I am a little more educated, but am still working for an answer and am still unsure what to do about hardware to speed this up. Do you, or others have any suggestions of what platform/hardware to run this on?

I have had some people suggest I try this on a new top end Mac, but I doubt that a Mac can reduce these cycles to hours not days, but here again I am only guessing.

Any thoughts?