Stata/MP is the fastest and largest version of Stata. Most computers
purchased since mid-2006 can take advantage of the advanced multiprocessing
of Stata/MP.
Stata/MP is a version of Stata/SE that
runs on multiprocessor and multicore computers. Stata/MP provides the most
extensive support for multiple-processor computers and multicore computers
of any statistics and data-management package.
The exciting thing about Stata/MP, and the only difference between Stata/MP
and Stata/SE, is that Stata/MP runs faster—much faster. Stata/MP lets
you analyze data in one-half to two-thirds of the time compared with Stata/SE on
inexpensive, dual-core desktops. Stata/MP runs even faster on
industrial-grade multiprocessor servers. Stata/MP supports up to 64
processors.
The graph below summarizes the performance differences between Stata/SE and
Stata/MP.
In a perfect world, software would run twice as fast on two processors, four
times as fast on four processors, eight times as fast on eight processors, and
so on. Across all commands, Stata/MP runs 1.4 times faster on two
processors, 2 times faster on four processors, and 2.5 times faster on eight
processors. These values are median speed improvements.
Half the commands run even faster, and a few achieve performance even beyond
what might be considered theoretically possible (more than twice as fast on
two processors, etc.) because multiprocessor systems have multiple caches,
too.
On the other side of the distribution, a few commands do not run faster,
often because they are inherently sequential (time-series commands).
We worked hard to make sure that the performance gains for commands that
take longer to run would be greater. Across all estimation commands,
Stata/MP runs 1.7 times faster on dual-core computers, 2.8 times faster on
quad-core computers, and over 5 times faster on computers with eight processors.
For a complete assessment of Stata/MP’s performance, including
command-by-command statistics, see the white paper
Stata/MP Performance Report.
Stata/MP is 100% compatible with Stata. Analyses do not have to be
reformulated or modified in any way to obtain Stata/MP’s speed
improvements.
Stata/MP is available for the following operating systems:
Windows (32- and 64-bit processors)
Mac OS X (64-bit Intel processors)
Linux (32- and 64-bit processors)
Solaris (64-bit SPARC and x86-64)
To run Stata/MP, you can use a desktop computer with a dual-core or
quad-core processor, or you can use a server with multiple processors. Whether a
computer has separate processors or one processor with multiple cores
makes no difference. More processors or cores means that Stata/MP will run
faster.
For more advice on hardware, see our discussion of
hardware for Stata/MP.
You can order Stata/MP online,
or upgrade online.
Please contact us
or read the complete Stata/MP Performance
Report for more information.
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