Spec for new machine used heavily for large excel models?

[Alan]

Hi All,

We are lookiung to buy a new machine for a user that will be primarily
using excel models in their role.

Many of the models are large and complex, and often involve multiple
linked files with long dependency chains, and complex formula that
take a noticeable amount of time to calculate when initiated (not huge
amounts of time, but often 30 to 60 seconds which is annoying rather
than anything more).

What specs matter most in terms of excel calculation time?

I am assuming it is all down to processor speed and memory, but I am
not an expert in hardware at all.

If my assumption above is correct, is it just clock speed, and FSB
speed, or would a dual-core be faster, and would more L2 cache make
any difference?

Thanks for any light you can shed!

Alan.

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[Bill Ridgeway]

Alan wrote <<> I am assuming it is all down to processor speed and memory>>

There are a number of pinch-points affecting the operating speed of a
computer. Broadly, these are (roughly in order of importance) -

Motherboard bus speed
Processor (speed)
Memory (capacity and speed)
Hard disk drive (capacity and speed) not usually much of a problem
nowadays
Heavy fragmentation of files on the hard disk drive
Applications running - especially unnecessary ones that start at boot-up
CD, DVD and other devices (not much of a problem nowadays)

so you were part way right.

Regards.

Bill Ridgeway
Computer Solutions

 

[Bob Phillips]

I am no expert either, but I would suggest it is

- memory, biggest and best you can get
- bus speed
- processor speed
- a fast HDD

I don't think dual core will make any difference with current Excel.


--
HTH

Bob Phillips

(remove nothere from email address if mailing direct)

 

[Ken Wright]

See here for factors outside Machine Specs that will influence how your
spreadsheets run.

http://www.decisionmodels.com/memlimitsc.htm

--
Regards
Ken....................... Microsoft MVP - Excel
Sys Spec - Win XP Pro / XL 97/00/02/03

------------------------------­------------------------------­----------------
It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission
------------------------------­------------------------------­----------------

 

[Alan]

See here for factors outside Machine Specs that will influence how
your spreadsheets run.

http://www.decisionmodels.com/memlimitsc.htm

--
Regards
Ken....................... Microsoft MVP - Excel
Sys Spec - Win XP Pro / XL 97/00/02/03

------------------------------­------------------------------­----------------
It's easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission
------------------------------­------------------------------­----------------

Hi Ken,

Thanks for that - we already take pretty much all of that into
account.

The biggest issue in out largest models is the length of the
dependency chain and trying to make sure that everyone understands the
implications of 'deep linking' rather than linking directly to the
source.

Alan.
--

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[Alan]

Alan wrote <<> I am assuming it is all down to processor speed and
memory>>

There are a number of pinch-points affecting the operating speed of
a computer. Broadly, these are (roughly in order of importance) -

Motherboard bus speed
Processor (speed)
Memory (capacity and speed)
Hard disk drive (capacity and speed) not usually much of a
problem nowadays
Heavy fragmentation of files on the hard disk drive
Applications running - especially unnecessary ones that start at
boot-up
CD, DVD and other devices (not much of a problem nowadays)

Hi Bill,

Is 'Motherboard bus speed' the same as FSB (Front Side Bus)?

All the models are stored on network drives, so I don't expect that
the HDD would be a limitation (we prefer not to have the models worked
on locally just in case of a workstation system failure whereas the
servers have drive redundancy). Fragmentation should not be an issue
either, and the local disks are fairly empty and are defragged at
least monthly.

Does L2 cache matter much?

Thanks,

Alan.

--

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My current valid email address is:

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[Alan]

I am no expert either, but I would suggest it is

- memory, biggest and best you can get
- bus speed
- processor speed
- a fast HDD

I don't think dual core will make any difference with current Excel.

Hi Bob,

I should perhaps have mentioned we are using Office 9 (2000), waiting
on Office 12!

Would it make much difference to calculation speed if we paid for an
Office 11 license?

Thanks,

Alan.
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[Bob Phillips]

Highly unlikely that it will make a significant difference. 9 is my office
of choice, 10 and 11 have added things that I don't like, and the plusses do
not outweigh these. As for thee performance of 12, that is still relatively
unknown.

Bob

 

[Alan]

Highly unlikely that it will make a significant difference. 9 is my
office
of choice, 10 and 11 have added things that I don't like, and the
plusses do
not outweigh these. As for thee performance of 12, that is still
relatively
unknown.

Bob

Hi Bob,

That has been my conclusion about Office 10 / 11 too - some of the new
features are possibly negatives, and I cannot see anything much that I
would use or need that isn't already in Office 9.

We aren't really hanging out for Office 12 as such, just that it seems
likely MS will pull support for Office 9 sometime during the primary
life of Office 12 (before Office 13 ever ships) which means we will
probably go to 12 at that point.

Thanks for your replies and thoughts - much appreciated.

Alan.
--

The views expressed are my own, and not those of my employer or anyone
else associated with me.

My current valid email address is:

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[Bob Phillips]

The thing about Office 12 is that it is so much different than its
predecessors that there is a substantial learning curve. Also, with the
increase in limits, 1M rows, 16K columns, etc., performance will be
interesting.

--
HTH

Bob Phillips

(remove nothere from email address if mailing direct)

 

[Alan]

Indeed - more potential for people to 'abuse' Excel rather than use
Access when appropriate.

However, the changes are probably market / user driven.

Thanks,

Alan.
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