SPEC, the organization responsible for publishing benchmark results, has recently made the decision to invalidate SPEC CPU 2017 results for Intel CPUs running a specific version of the Intel compiler. The disqualification comes as a response to an optimization technique that has been deemed contentious and tantamount to cheating.
In a move to maintain fairness and ensure accurate performance evaluations, SPEC has attached a notice to over 2,600 benchmark results achieved with the particular compiler version. This action effectively renders these results invalid. The majority of these results were obtained from machines equipped with 4th Gen Xeon Sapphire Rapids CPUs, commonly found in high-end servers, data centers, and workstations.
SPEC CPU 2017 is a standardized benchmark that evaluates the performance of various workloads, allowing for a reliable comparison across different computer systems. While hardware plays a crucial role, software-side optimization, notably through the use of compilers, also significantly impacts the results.
The contentious optimization technique was targeted specifically at two benchmarks within the SPEC CPU 2017 suite, namely 523.xalancbmk_r and 623.xalancbmk_s. Although optimizing compilers is expected, catering solely to benchmarks while disregarding real-world scenarios raises concerns. The purpose of SPEC benchmarks is to reflect the genuine performance capabilities of hardware and provide an objective basis for comparison.
Phoronix, a reputable tech publication, reports that the optimization under scrutiny could potentially enhance the overall SPECint performance by 9%. However, this improvement solely applies to the aforementioned benchmarks rather than real-world applications.
This is not the first time the issue of benchmark-specific optimization has arisen. In the past, there have been notable controversies involving companies like Nvidia and AMD in relation to GPU performance and driver-side settings. While the discourse surrounding such matters has somewhat cooled down, SPEC has taken a firm stance on this occasion and brought attention to Intel’s practices.
By disqualifying the SPEC CPU 2017 results achieved using the specific version of the Intel compiler, SPEC aims to reestablish fairness and emphasize the importance of comprehensive and reliable benchmarking. Ultimately, the organization strives to create an environment that accurately reflects the real-world performance of computer systems.
FAQ Section:
Q: Why did SPEC invalidate SPEC CPU 2017 results for Intel CPUs running a specific version of the Intel compiler?
A: SPEC invalidated the results due to an optimization technique used in the specific version of the Intel compiler that has been deemed contentious and tantamount to cheating.
Q: How many benchmark results were affected by the disqualification?
A: Over 2,600 benchmark results achieved with the particular compiler version were rendered invalid by SPEC’s decision.
Q: Which CPUs were mainly affected by the disqualification?
A: The majority of the affected results were obtained from machines equipped with 4th Gen Xeon Sapphire Rapids CPUs, commonly found in high-end servers, data centers, and workstations.
Q: What is SPEC CPU 2017?
A: SPEC CPU 2017 is a standardized benchmark that evaluates the performance of various workloads, enabling a reliable comparison across different computer systems.
Q: How does software-side optimization affect benchmark results?
A: While hardware is crucial, software-side optimization, such as the use of compilers, also significantly impacts benchmark results.
Q: What optimization technique was targeted by SPEC?
A: SPEC focused on an optimization technique specifically aimed at two benchmarks within the SPEC CPU 2017 suite: 523.xalancbmk_r and 623.xalancbmk_s.
Q: What was the impact of the contentious optimization technique?
A: According to Phoronix, the optimization technique could potentially improve the SPECint performance by 9%, but this improvement only applies to the targeted benchmarks, not real-world applications.
Q: Has the issue of benchmark-specific optimization been seen before?
A: Yes, there have been previous controversies involving companies like Nvidia and AMD in relation to GPU performance and driver-side settings.
Q: What is SPEC’s stance on the issue?
A: SPEC has taken a firm stance by disqualifying the SPEC CPU 2017 results achieved with the specific version of the Intel compiler, aiming to reestablish fairness and promote comprehensive and reliable benchmarking.
Q: What is SPEC’s objective?
A: SPEC aims to create an environment that accurately reflects the real-world performance of computer systems by emphasizing the importance of fairness and reliable benchmarking.
Definitions:
– SPEC: SPEC is an organization responsible for publishing benchmark results.
– CPU: CPU stands for Central Processing Unit, which is the primary component of a computer that performs most of the calculations and executes instructions.
– Compiler: A compiler is a software program that transforms human-readable source code into machine code that can be executed by a computer.
– Benchmark: A benchmark is a standardized measure used to evaluate the performance of computer systems or components.
– Optimization: In the context of this article, optimization refers to the process of improving the performance of software or hardware.
– SPECint: SPECint is a measurement used in the SPEC CPU benchmarks to evaluate the integer performance of computer systems.
Suggested Related Links:
– SPEC
– Phoronix
The source of the article is from the blog meltyfan.es