The new Intel Math Kernel Library 9.0 Beta is released

[VipinKumar_E_Intel]

Hi all,

The new Intel Math Kernel Library 9.0 Beta is released. It introduces new sparse solvers, vector math routines, vector random number generators, interfaces, and of course optimizations for the latest Intel multi-coreprocessors and platforms.

Please download Intel MKL 9.0 Beta here

http://www.intel.com/cd/software/products/asmo-na/eng/296010.htm

We greatly appreciate your feedback on Intel MKL 9.0 which will help us to improve our product. Please submit your feedback and issues via https://premier.intel.com

Thank you so much,

Vipin

Technical Consulting Engineer

[g_sparrow]

I have been using the new beta and everything seems fine, so far :)

I have a couple of questions, though:

1) When is the scheduled release date for the final version of MKL 9.0

2) Also, a technical question on multi-threading. What is the general advice on setting the OMP_NUM_THREADS environment variable on the different intel processor types. For example (and assuming there is no other load on the machine), I would imagine that setting the value to 2 on a single processor, dual-core machine would give the best performance. But, for hyperthreaded processors, is there any benefit in setting the value to 2, rather than 1? Are there any thoughts about providing an automatic mode whereby the library chooses the optimum number of threads based on the machine architecture in much the same way as the matching kernelDLL is selected. Of course the user would have to specify if they wanted to limit threads to take account of other load on the server or threading elsewhere in the application. I think it could be very useful in simplifying deployment, though.

Thanks,

Graham

[VipinKumar_E_Intel]

Hi,

Answers to your questions.

1. Intel MKL gold release is targeted for this autumn.

2. You can set the OMP_NUM_THREADS variable to the number of logical processors to get performance improvement.Yes, you are right, You can set it to 2 on a single processor, dual-core machine.For a single processor, with HT turned on, it is again 2, since there are 2 logical processors. In windows, you can set OMP_NUM_THREADS to NUMBER_OF_PROCESSORS, which is a system variable. Again, you can set this to any number, and you need to check which one gives the best performance, i.e again depending on the different functions, and also your data size etc.But, it is good to set it to the number of logical processors.

Vipin