> > Can anybody provide some experience about what configuration of the
> > machine is best to improve the performance of SPM as well as matlab?
Improve performance => use more memory. This works on all platforms. SPM
can be tuned to use large(r) blocks of memory at a time, for example
when computing the Betas.
> > 1. We may first consider the processors, which can be Pentium,
> > Altholon, or RISC, MIPs. I am quite confused by the clock rate of
> > processor and the performance of the processor. Since matlab is not
> > multi-threaded, we just need single processor performance.
Price/performance is lowest for AMD processors, such as Athlons. Clock
frequencies are indeed confusing, as AMD and Pentium do not use the same
criteria to indicate the speed of their processors.
If budget is really a problem, you should also check the type of memory
that you need in your computer. I believe Pentium IV's require expensive
meomory (Rambus), compared to Athlons (DDR).
Finding your way in processor land can be hard, though. If you buy the
latest Athlon or Pentium, you're close enough to the optimum. Going into
too many details is probably a waste of time.
> > 2. Which operating system is best for SPM and matlab? Linux, or
> > Windows, Sun Solaris, or HP-Unix?
When it comes to price/perfomance again, I'd say Linux. Sun/HP are far
more expensive than Windows/Linux. Windows is not an option if you want
to leave your computer on for more than a few days. Even Matlab itself
on Windows needs to be restarted quite often.
Installation on Linux may be a little more work than on Windows, when it
comes to having the right libraries installed.
> > SPM runs on matlab engine, are there special requirements of hardware
> > for good SPM performance?
lots of memory :)
Hope this helps
Alle Meije
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