Learning Forum

[jma60]

Hi,

I recently bought 2 GP100s to try and reduce my simulations times, but it either reduces my simulation time trivially or actually increases it.

I have tested it using a single static structural project (what my research focuses on) that involves high deformations of a Nitinol body. Please see attached the solution output file for one run.

I've tested it twice with different mesh sizes and have found unsatisfactory results:

~192,000 nodes -> 3% decrease in solve time

~411,000 nodes -> 8% increase in solve time

My workstation specifications are below:

Lenovo P620

• CPU: AMD Threadripper Pro 3955WX (16 core)
• Memory: 96 GB 3200 Mhz RDIMM
• Storage: Samsung OEM 1TB SSD (3500 MB/s read, 3000 MB/s write)
• Display GPU: Quadro RTX 4000
• Compute GPU: 2x Quadro GP100 (TCC mode, no NVLink)

ANSYS

• 2020R2
• Academic Research License
• 16 HPC licenses (packs?)
• Distributed Memory Parallel

Is it possible that GPU acceleration is not meant for such small models? Much of the documentation I've seen has used ANSYS benchmarks with DOFs < 10M but >1M.

I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks!

solve.txt

[peteroznewman]

nIn December 2013, I tested nine of my models built in 2013 in ANSYS 14.5 on a compute server with multiple GPUs. Only six models supported a GPU, while three had features that were not supported by a GPU. I found that only one model had a benefit from using GPUs while the other eight models saw no benefit. Based on that study, I decided to not purchase a GPU for my new computer. You can download a PDF of my report at the bottom of this page: https://colfaxresearch.com/heterochromic-computer-and-finding-the-optimal-system-configuration-for-medical-device-engineering/nIt seems like you are drawing a similar conclusion seven years later.n

[jma60]

Hi Peter, thank you so much for your response. Your report is the first third-party report I've seen that does not just parrot Nvidia's or ANSYS' marketing materials, which I unfortunately fell for. At least I will be able to use the GP100s for rendering. n

[peteroznewman]

nIf you ever get into CFD, then you will find the GPUs provide a significant benefit.nAlso, if you use the Discovery products, those do all the calculations on GPUs to provide real-time results that update as you drag geometry or forces around on the screen.n