1.2.1. Hardware Requirements¶
This section should can be used as guidance for users wishing to build their own APEX DS based acquisition systems. There is some opportunity for trade-offs in the requirements below: twice the channel count but half the maximum sample rate requires about the same hardware performance. Component (CPU, graphics, etc..) benchmarks are available at:
1.2.1.1. CPU¶
Minimum 1000 cpubenchmark.net CPU Mark for each unit of 16 channels at 200kHz sample rate.
Note
Example: Intel Core i3-370M @ 2.40GHz : 2038 CPU Mark would support 32 channels at 200kHz.
1.2.1.2. Memory¶
Minimum 1GB, 1GB for each additional unit of 16 channels at 200kHz sample rate.
1.2.1.3. Video¶
Recommend the use of an Nvidia brand video card with performance that meets or exceeds a Nvida Geforce 8400 GS. Other brand video cards can be used but must have a minimum 100 G3D cpubenchmark.net score.
Note
Example: Nvidia Geforce 8400 GS: 115 G3D
1.2.1.4. Storage¶
Sufficient sustained 3x disk write rate to satisfy aggregate SR and channel count. As a rule of thumb, a rotating hard drive can support sustained raw (i.e. not counting the file system performance penalty) data write rates of about 50 MBytes/sec. The same figure for SSD drives is typically over 500MBytes/sec. RAID configurations are recommended for systems that require higher storage bandwidth.
Note
Example: 32 channels 200kHz simultaneous raw and peak storage = ~13MB/sec would require absolute 39MB/sec sustained storage write rate.