Adapting the SPEC 2000 Benchmark Suite for Simulation-Based

Abstract

The large input datasets in the SPEC 2000 benchmark suite result in unreasonably long simulation times when using detailed execution-driven simulators for evaluating future computer architecture ideas. To address this problem, we have an ongoing project to reduce the execution times of the SPEC 2000 benchmarks in a quantitatively defensible way. Upon completion of this work , we will have smaller input datasets for several SPEC 2000 benchmarks. The programs using our reduced input datasets will produce execution profiles that accurately reflect the program behavior of the full reference dataset, as measured using standard statistical tests. In the process of reducing and verifying the SPEC 2000 benchmark datasets, we also obtain instruction mix, memory behavior, and instructions per cycle characterization information about each benchmark program