What options are there to reduce the computation time?

There are many ways to reduce the overall computation time.

A combination of the computer hardware, operating system and optimizations to the model configuration are all part of a solution. PyroSim runs well on a recent computer with the Windows 7 and later or Windows Server 2012 and later 64 bit operating systems.

For high performance, read the following.

• Take advantage of parallel processing. PyroSim has an integrated option to run FDS in parallel, however, this requires that you use more than one mesh in the simulation. PyroSim provides tools that help you split a large mesh into smaller meshes and checks that all meshes align.
• To run your simulation in parallel, on the PyroSim Analysis menu, click Run FDS Parallel and PyroSim assigns individual meshes to the cores in your computer.
• Multiple cores speed the solution for models with multiple meshes. Dual processors with multiple cores are better than a single processor with multiple cores. Of course, faster processors are better, but a slightly slower processor with more cores is likely the optimum configuration.
• A mid-range video card performs well (see the video hardware benchmarks at PassMark) and support for OpenGL 2.0 is required. Pathfinder can use features in OpenGL 3.1 (release in 2009), so if you plan on running both PyroSim and Pathfinder select a card that supports OpenGL 3.1.
• Plan on 1.5 GB of RAM for each million cells in your model. 8GB of RAM is usually more than adequate, but 16GB accommodates large models.
• A large model can require 2–4 GB of storage for the output.