WPrime is a computer program that calculates a set number of square roots using
Newton's method
In numerical analysis, the Newton–Raphson method, also known simply as Newton's method, named after Isaac Newton and Joseph Raphson, is a root-finding algorithm which produces successively better approximations to the roots (or zeroes) of a ...
for estimating functions verifying the results by squaring them then comparing them with the original numbers.
Significance
WPrime is popular in the
overclocking
In computing, overclocking is the practice of increasing the clock rate of a computer to exceed that certified by the manufacturer. Commonly, operating voltage is also increased to maintain a component's operational stability at accelerated sp ...
community for testing the performance and stability of computer processors, as
Super PI
Super PI is a computer program that calculates pi to a specified number of digits after the decimal point—up to a maximum of 32 million. It uses the Gauss–Legendre algorithm and is a Windows port of the program used by Yasumasa Kanada in 1995 ...
is single-threaded. Its popularity stemmed from being able to utilize 100% of a
multi-core processor
A multi-core processor (MCP) is a microprocessor on a single integrated circuit (IC) with two or more separate central processing units (CPUs), called ''cores'' to emphasize their multiplicity (for example, ''dual-core'' or ''quad-core''). Ea ...
's computing time enabling its use as a multi-threaded benchmark application in competitions, computing reviews, and marketing campaigns.
WPrime’s multi-threaded design contrasts with Super PI’s single-threaded approach, providing a more comprehensive assessment of modern CPUs' parallel processing capabilities. It has been widely adopted in hardware reviews and enthusiast benchmarking due to this advantage.
Criticism
The use of
Newton's method
In numerical analysis, the Newton–Raphson method, also known simply as Newton's method, named after Isaac Newton and Joseph Raphson, is a root-finding algorithm which produces successively better approximations to the roots (or zeroes) of a ...
for testing stability is inherently unreliable due to the self-correcting nature of the algorithm with subsequent iterations correcting any potential errors. WPrime would theoretically only detect instability from several consecutive errors. Additionally some have argued that the multi-threading algorithm used is not indicative of real world performance
though much of this was due to poor implementations of multi-threading in consumer applications the early days of
multi-core processors.
References
External links
*{{Official website, www.wprime.net
Utility software