MD Nastran Demonstrates Record Results on Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processors

MD Nastran Together With Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 5100 Series Allows Users to Perform More Simulation Testing in a Shorter Amount of Time -- MSC.Software today announced that MD Nastran, coupled with Intel's next generation dual-core Intel Xeon processor (formerly codenamed "Woodcrest"), has achieved substantial speed and performance gains in standardized benchmark tests versus previous generation Xeon processors. This combination of software and hardware allows customers to take advantage of multi-threaded processor technology, addressable RAM, and improved throughput, allowing users to complete more simulation testing faster. By enabling faster simulation, businesses have more information that allows them to make more informed design decisions. These include more accurate prediction of product performance which can increase the impact on the product development process, decreasing time-to-market and ensuring right-to-market. MSC's standard parallel benchmarks, running on Intel's dual 3.0 GHz dual-core Xeon Processor 5100 Series, have shown a 32 percent boost in performance versus the previous generation Xeon processors. For serial benchmarks, performance improved 17 percent over the previous generation. The MD Nastran gains are attributed to the software taking advantage of the larger L2 cache and the faster dual-independent front-side bus on the dual-core Intel Xeon Processor 5100 Series. MSC.Nastran and now MD Nastran, both proven 64-bit enabled simulation platforms, have been the standard in the field of structural analysis for over four decades. It provides a powerful general purpose finite element based set of solutions to manufacturers in need of a wide range of modeling and analysis capabilities. This includes linear as well as nonlinear analysis to capture the real behavior of systems. The integrated capabilities of MD Nastran aligns with Intel's strategy to deliver platforms that match the goals of manufacturing end customers to streamline workflows, improve productivity, and reduce time to solution. The software's outstanding performance on the newest processors allows engineering and design teams to transition their existing software onto the newest processing platforms to gain innovation advantage with minimal impact. "As the level of detail increases in finite element models, making models more and more realistic, the ability to innovate requires what MD Nastran and Dual-Core Intel Xeon Processor 5100 Series deliver, highly enhanced simulation enabled by best-of-breed software and hardware processing speed and performance," said Reza Sadeghi, vice president, product development, Enterprise Computing, MSC.Software Corporation. "As we work closely with Intel to create solutions that can drive increased innovation for our customers, we look forward to the products and solutions that will result from the winning combination of MD Nastran on 64-bit Intel processors." "MSC.Software and Intel work together to provide solutions that allow customers to expedite simulation processes and save valuable engineering time and costs," said Richard Wirt, corporate vice president, Senior Intel Fellow and General Manager of Intel's Software and Solutions Group at Intel. "The benchmark results on Dual-Core Intel(R) Xeon(R) Processor 5100 Series are a great example of innovative advantage for business." For more information on large simulations with MSC Nastran or MD Nastran, please visit its Web site.