Just wanted to know if any of you early adopters have noticed an improvement in Ivy Bridge vs Sandy Bridge as far as the operation of Dragon Naturally Speaking goes?

Also apart from enabling AHCI mode is there any program or maintenance I should employ with my solid-state drive to enable optimum performance?

Cheers
Steve

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Win 7,I7 870,8 GB RAM,DNS 12.5 pro,Jabra pro 9470

Steve,

First, Intel has only released the preliminary Ivy Bridge processors for desktops and laptops. As far as desktops are concerned, the only Ivy Bridge processor available is the Intel Core™ i7 3770K. This processor uses only dual channel memory via the LGA 1155 socket. Nevertheless, the preliminary results are very favorable with regard to performance of DNS. Keep in mind that accuracy is not a function of processor performance. How accurate DNS is under any of the Ivy Bridge processors is dependent upon you (i.e., your dictation style) and your microphone/soundcard combination. However, there seems to be an improvement of anywhere up to 25% in overall speed as a result of the new tri-gate transistor technology. Even so, these are only preliminary results and there isn't that much significance between the third-generation Ivy Bridge processors currently available and the second generation Sandy Bridge-e Core™ i7 3960 Extreme processor, which is six cores with 15 MB of L3 cache running on the same motherboard platform. Note that the Core™ i7 3960 is not an Ivy Bridge processor. That is, it doesn't use the tri-gate transistor technology. The fact that the model number is 3960 does not indicate that it is a third-generation (Ivy Bridge) despite the fact that it begins with the 3.

At this point in time I would wait a few months until Intel releases its full line of Ivy Bridge processors because the next set are going to be designed to run off of the LGA 2011 socket motherboards which will support for quad channel memory, better overclocking, and a number of other features and enhancements via the new chipsets for this motherboard. Unless you really need to upgrade to Ivy Bridge right now, I would recommend that you wait. Nonetheless, the initial performance benchmarks with Dragon NaturallySpeaking are reasonably impressive. However, that's based on comparison with second generation Sandy Bridge processors (i.e. Core™ i7 2600K). It doesn't seem to be as significant when compared to the Sandy Bridge-e Core™ i7 3960, but it is still noticeably peppier and more responsive. On the other hand, what I'm holding off for is the Core™ i7 extreme third-generation Ivy Bridge processors (six core & eight core) that will use the LGA 2011 motherboard. However, these won't be available until sometime in the fall of 2012.

Second, there is basically nothing you need to do with regard to your SSD to enable optimum performance. AHCI mode doesn't make it any faster anyway or significantly improve performance.

However, the latest and greatest from Diskeeper with hyperfast technology is designed specifically for SSD drives and does maintain optimal performance over time. This is what I use on my systems and it seems to have a positive effect. However, that's not in terms of improving performance. It seems to maintain optimal performance.

Chuck Runquist
Technical Project Manager
VoiceTeach LLC
Home of VoicePower®: We don't make Dragon NaturallySpeaking, We make it better!

"What you are aware of you are in control of; what you are not aware of is in control of you." - Anthony de Mello

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Thanks Chuck.

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Win 7,I7 870,8 GB RAM,DNS 12.5 pro,Jabra pro 9470

I am planning to upgrade from an old XP-p4 system. I use my computer in my law practice.  I don't think I want to wait until fall for the more advanced Ivy Bridge, since my current system is so limited, and I have to reboot every few days. I didn't upgrade with the earlier I7, because I was waiting for Ivy Bridge.

Most of my dragon (v. 10.5) use is fairly standard Microsoft Word memo and correspondence dictation and many emails.   I do keep 8 to 10 programs open at any time.

In looking at an HP desktop, I have a choice of the I7-3770 or I7-3770K. cost premium.(About $180).  From what I can understand, the 3770K can be overclocked and is slightly faster.    (I have never read up on over clocking.  For my use, it seems unnecessary.)

I read some on Tom's Hardware about the 3770 and he recommends that one should add at least a basic graphics card because the onboard graphics are less than acceptable. (I currently use a basic graphics card on my P4 system to drive two monitors.) 

Questions:

1.  3770 or 3770K?

2.  Memory-8GB DDR3-1333MHz SDRAM  or step up to 10, 12 or more?

3.  I plan to go with 1GB DDR3 AMD Radeon HD 7670 [DVI, DP, HDMI, VGA via adapter](Step up from AMD Radeon HD 7570) ($50 premium).

4.  Has any had good luck with a wireless keyboard and mouse. (I sometimes like to lean back in my chair away from my desk.) 

I welcome any suggestions.

Regards,

Ted

 

 

 

 

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DNS 10.1 Pro, Pentium 4, Win XP, Samson handheld

I am a lawyer in the UK and have been using a Logitech wireless keyboard and mouse for it seems like for ever. But I suppose for about five years. I'd never choose anything else. Superb. No problems. I happen to use one which has the numeric keypad separate, which suits me fine as I am left-handed.

I use DNS 11.5 Pro both in the office (XP SP3, 4GB RAM, eight year old HP SFF desktop) and at home (my tag should show below - I have just upgraded to a beast).

They both work just FINE.

Yes, the home machine boots faster - and it certainly does nothing else slower. But can I really tell the difference?

 Well, it may mark me out as a sad delusional figure, but the answer has to be: "Well. Possibly." 

You are not even on DNS 11.5 (no offence - I merely mean that earlier versions have even less need of extra power). I have not the remotest clue what difference in benchmarking your choices would bring with them - but I think I can say that the lesser of the beasts that you are envisaging will be amply sufficient to deal with the requirements that you write that you have - which are much the same as my own. 

I freely admit that on the occasion of my recent upgrade I pretty much gave my geek chum who advises me a free hand (because everyone should have some fun sometime.....), and I am conscious that I am WAY overpowered for my needs. Ferrari when a Ford Escort would do.

I am also conscious that he recommended much the same rig as he has himself at home to do the gaming with which he is so heavily involved....he is no fool: he reckoned that if I had the same rig as him, then it would be easier for him to deal with my support calls with which I bombard him when I am in trouble!

All of which is intended to convey that either of your choices in my view will be fine. Dragon is much more hardware forgiving than people seem to think.

But there are more reasons than one to go down a particular route!

Hope  this helps.

Ed 

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DNS 12 Pro, Windows 7 Professional, SP1, i7-2700K 3.50 Ghz Sandybridge, 16Gb DDR3 PC3-160000C9 2000Mhz dual channel RAM, SpeechMike 5276 and Samson Airline 77

Ed,

Thank you for your post and your observations. I will definitely opt for the wireless accessories. Your office machine sounds like a twin to my HP computer.  If I do not have Dragon loaded, then my computer works fairly well, for a time. I run Microsoft office, connected to our office server, and typically have open at all times-calendar, tasks, inbox, Word, 6 to 10 documents, Will processing software, and  Firefox, with 5 or 6 internet windows. Even when I slow down during the day, and close down some of the programs, I get some degradation of the performance.

Every few days  my computer will slow down to a crawl, even without Dragon open. Eventually, I have reboot. (This takes 5 minutes to reboot.)  I leave my computer on at night so that I can access it from home if I need to through Microsoft exchange.

To open Dragon, I have to close down several of the other programs.  Typically, after using Dragon, I usually have to reboot shortly thereafter. (Very frustrating to say the least.)

From posts that I have read on this Board, it seems that Dragon has more optimum performance with an I7 chip that has a cache of at least 8k. (I believe that is true of the cpu in your beast computer that you have at home. )  I am amazed that your HP has performed so well.

Thanks again for your input.

Regards,

Ted

 

 

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DNS 10.1 Pro, Pentium 4, Win XP, Samson handheld

 

I used to mock people who stood in line to buy new iPhones the day they went on sale.  But my order for an i7-3770K was placed at Newegg ten minutes after it become available!  I had already built a completely new system, including a 256 GB solid-state drive.

 

I am delighted with how DNS works with this processor.  Words do indeed appear as fast as I can think!  Previously I had been running on a two-year-old i5 processor so it would be surprising if there was not a sharp improvement.  As an aside, although an SSD makes no difference to how well DNS works once loaded, now these discs are affordable, I think this is one of best general upgrades you can make.  My system boots in a flash and programs open instantly.  [But instant gratification is never fast enough!!]

 

Meanwhile I have a question.

 

DNS works very fast, but only seems to use a tiny amount of the available processing power.  Talking to DNS fast and continuously, Windows task manager never goes over 3% or 4%.  All the work seems to be in one core in one thread.  This does not seem right.

 

Is thinking there something wrong with my Windows / BIOS etc. setup?

 

I have a feeling this is something basic and any advice much appreciated.

 

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-- Julian

Julian Nott www.NOTT.com DNS 12 Premium KnowBrainer 2012 Windows 7 16 8GB memory Ivy Bridge i7-3770K

Hi Chuck,

does this mean you recommend ssd with diskeeper over SATA or hybrid with diskeeper?

All the best,

Dan

Hi Chuck, I think you answered this question earlier in the year as follows:

"Diskeeper with hyperfast, which is specifically designed maintain the integrity and in from the performance of SSD drives. It's not a defrag utility when used with SSD drives. Its primary function with SSD drives is to maintain the integrity, improve the performance, and handle these types of issues. Otherwise, you should never perform a defrag on an SSD drive. That is a very good way of severely impacting on its performance and longevity. It also isn't necessary, so please don't confuse what Diskeeper does vs. what normal defrag utility does because they're not even in the same ballpark "

So it sounds to me like your current recommendation is SSD with diskeeper, maybe second regular drive if space needs are enormous.

Is this right?

Dan

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"as water reflects the face, one heart reflects another"

DNS Prem. Ver11 Intel Core i5 4GB USB sound card UmeVoice Boom

Julian,

basically it's all about understanding how speech recognition works, although there is not much voodoo being involved. If you watch it very closely you will find that during dictating the CPU load would be more to the low-end, while, when resolving the input and shortly before transferring it to text, you will encounter a significant performance hit very briefly. All this can also be made visible by looking at the events being thrown by the recognizer in real time, for which I have created a number of applications to record the overall process, but that is just another story and not really worth mentioning here.

On the system that I am currently using, which is an i7 2670 QM mobile processor with four cores and 6 MB of smart cash, the CPU load will be at about 2 to 3% while dictating, and go up to 5 to 7% near the end. However I seem to note that there is more than one core being involved by looking at the diagram in the task manager, although I couldn't say for certain.

Basically, I wouldn't assume that there is something wrong with your overall set up, so just be happy with it.

Rüdiger

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Well, it's past the point where we can make any changes in the code, but we can still make changes to the Easter Egg!

Thanks!

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-- Julian

Julian Nott www.NOTT.com DNS 12 Premium KnowBrainer 2012 Windows 7 16 8GB memory Ivy Bridge i7-3770K