132: support processor groups

I have noticed the SQX does not make use of CPU threads that span across multiple processor groups. I’m asking for you to add support for processor groups which will allow me to make use of my 64c/128t CPU (AMD Threadripper 3990X).

For a detailed explanation of processor groups look here:

Link 1) https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/procthread/processor-groups#:~:text=Support%20for%20systems%20that%20have,are%20numbered%20starting%20with%200.&text=The%20operating%20system%20minimizes%20the%20number%20of%20groups%20in%20a%20system.

Link 2) https://techgage.com/article/microsoft-processor-groups-beyond-64-thread/

When SQX (more specifically, the javaw.exe process) is loaded, Windows assigns the process to the processor group with the lowest load. Now, by default, applications can only make use of threads that are contained within the same processor group. For example, since I have 128 threads I have 2 processor groups each with 64 threads. This means that after the javaw.exe process has been assigned to a random processor group, it can only utilise 64 (50% in my case) threads because that’s the number of threads assigned to that process group. Effectively, I can only use 50% of my total CPU power in a single SQX instance. This is a real issue and fixing this would result in a huge performance improvement.

A few things that I have tried:

• Disabling hyperthreading. This does not resolve this issue, it simply ignores it. Performance is halved based on SQX benchmarks I have made myself.

• Process Lasso. Third party software cannot solve the underlying issue. It must be solved internally by your developers.

• Playing with the CPU settings inside of SQX (manually assigned CPU threads to 128 didn’t allow SQX to use more than 64 groups because it is not looking outside of the processor group it’s assigned to).

I have attached 2 pictures which highlight SQX’s CPU usage whilst running a random generation strategy builder. Again, to be clear, this is not an issue with my personal SQX setup, or an issue regarding my windows version (all Windows 10 versions – Pro, Workstation, Server) split threads into processor groups of maximum 64 threads each. SQX needs to be updated and be made “processor group aware” to allow users to utilise all CPU threads they have available. Without this, SQX is simply not making use of the hardware it’s running on (excluding users who have less than 64 threads – in this case it’s fine since there is only 1 processor group).

If you need any additional information please let me know. I’m happy to be a “beta tester” for any solutions you would like to test.

Many Thanks and Best Regards,