Stata/MP is the fastest and largest version of Stata. Most computers purchased since mid-2006 can take advantage of the advanced multiprocessing capabilities of Stata/MP. 

TStata/MP is a version of Stata/SE that runs on multiprocessor and multicore computers. Stata/MP provides the most extensive support for multiprocessor computers and multicore computers of any statistics and data-management package.

The exciting thing about Stata/MP, and the only difference between Stata/MP and Stata/SE, is that Stata/MP runs faster—much faster. Stata/MP lets you analyze data in one-half to two-thirds of the time compared with Stata/SE on inexpensive dual-core desktops and laptops and in one-quarter to one-half the time on quad-core desktops. Stata/MP runs even faster on multiprocessor servers. Stata/MP supports up to 64 processors/cores.

The graph below summarizes the performance differences between Stata/SE and Stata/MP.

In a perfect world, software would run twice as fast on two cores, four times as fast on four cores, eight times as fast on eight cores, and so on. Across all commands, Stata/MP runs 1.6 times faster on two cores, 2.1 times faster on four cores, and 2.7 times faster on eight cores. These values are median speed improvements. Half the commands run even faster. 

On the other side of the distribution, a few commands do not run faster, often because they are inherently sequential, such as time-series commands. 

We worked hard to make sure that the performance gains for commands that take longer to run would be greater. Across all estimation commands, Stata/MP runs 1.8 times faster on dual-core computers, 2.8 times faster on quad-core computers, and 4.1 times faster on computers with eight cores. 

For a complete assessment of Stata/MP’s performance, including command-by-command statistics, see the white paper Stata/MP Performance Report (3 MB)

Stata/MP is 100% compatible other versions of with Stata. Analyses do not have to be reformulated or modified in any way to obtain Stata/MP’s speed improvements.

Stata/MP is available for the following operating systems: 

Windows (32- and 64-bit processors)
Mac OS X (64-bit Intel processors)
Linux (32- and 64-bit processors)
Solaris (64-bit SPARC and x86-64)

To run Stata/MP, you can use a desktop computer with a dual-core or quad-core processor, or you can use a server with multiple processors. Whether a computer has separate processors or one processor with multiple cores makes no difference. More processors or cores makes Stata/MP run faster. 

For more advice on hardware, see the discussion of hardware for Stata/MP.