Intel’s oneAPI DPC++ compiler has recently faced disqualification by the Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation (SPEC) for breaching SPEC’s guidelines. The disqualification affects over 2,600 SPEC CPU 2017 benchmark scores for Intel processors.
The issue at hand revolves around the optimizations performed by the compiler in a way that contradicts SPEC’s Rule 1.4, which emphasizes the importance of general optimizations. The compiler was found to be optimized using specific knowledge of SPEC’s benchmarks, particularly for the 523.xalancbmk_r/623.xalancbmk_s tests, which rendered the optimizations not widely applicable.
As a result of this breach, the disqualified benchmark scores, primarily impacting Intel Xeon processors, specifically older versions, will no longer be actively published. However, they will remain in SPEC’s database for archival purposes.
Investigations into the matter have revealed that these targeted optimizations could lead to performance improvements of up to 9% in certain scenarios, including a 4% increase in SPECint speed metrics.
The issue was specific to Intel oneAPI versions 2022.0 through 2023.0, with no impact on versions before 2022.0 or after 2023.0. Notably, the fourth-generation Intel Xeon Sapphire Rapids processors were the most affected.
To address the concern, Intel has taken corrective measures in the form of removing the contentious optimizations in version 2023.2.3 of the compiler. This updated version is specifically intended for use with the newer fifth-generation Xeon Emerald Rapids processors.
SPEC, founded in 1988 as an authoritative entity for benchmarking application performance, includes members from academia, research, and the IT industry. SPEC CPU 2017 benchmark suite, a robust collection of 43 tests across four categories, is designed to assess the performance of CPU subsystems, encompassing both integer and floating-point operations as well as their concurrency capabilities.
While Intel’s oneAPI DPC++ compiler has encountered disqualification due to breaching SPEC guidelines, the actions taken by Intel to address the issue demonstrate their commitment to adhering to industry standards and ensuring fair and accurate benchmarking practices.
FAQ:
Q: Why was Intel’s oneAPI DPC++ compiler disqualified by SPEC?
A: Intel’s oneAPI DPC++ compiler was disqualified by SPEC for breaching SPEC’s guidelines regarding optimizations that contradict Rule 1.4, which emphasizes general optimizations.
Q: Which benchmark scores are affected by the disqualification?
A: Over 2,600 SPEC CPU 2017 benchmark scores for Intel processors are affected by the disqualification.
Q: What specific optimizations were found to be problematic?
A: The compiler was found to be optimized using specific knowledge of SPEC’s benchmarks, particularly for the 523.xalancbmk_r/623.xalancbmk_s tests, which made the optimizations not widely applicable.
Q: What impact does the disqualification have on the benchmark scores?
A: The disqualified benchmark scores, primarily impacting older versions of Intel Xeon processors, will no longer be actively published but will remain in SPEC’s database for archival purposes.
Q: Were there performance improvements as a result of the targeted optimizations?
A: Yes, investigations revealed that these targeted optimizations could lead to performance improvements of up to 9% in certain scenarios, including a 4% increase in SPECint speed metrics.
Q: Which versions of the Intel oneAPI compiler were affected?
A: The issue was specific to Intel oneAPI versions 2022.0 through 2023.0, with no impact on versions before 2022.0 or after 2023.0.
Q: How did Intel address the concern?
A: Intel removed the contentious optimizations in version 2023.2.3 of the compiler to address the concern. This updated version is intended for use with the newer fifth-generation Xeon Emerald Rapids processors.
Q: What is SPEC and its benchmark suite?
A: SPEC, founded in 1988, is an authoritative entity for benchmarking application performance. SPEC CPU 2017 benchmark suite is a collection of 43 tests across four categories designed to assess the performance of CPU subsystems, including integer and floating-point operations, and concurrency capabilities.
Definitions:
SPEC: The Standard Performance Evaluation Corporation, an authoritative entity for benchmarking application performance.
oneAPI DPC++ compiler: A compiler provided by Intel for programming heterogeneous systems using Data Parallel C++ (DPC++).
SPEC CPU 2017 benchmark suite: A collection of 43 tests designed to evaluate the performance of CPU subsystems.
SPECint: An integer performance metric used in SPEC CPU benchmarks to evaluate CPU performance on integer workloads.
Xeon processors: Intel’s brand of server-grade processors.
Concurrency capabilities: The ability of a system to execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
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