what is my best setup to use for folding?

Hello, would like to know what do you think would be the best way for me to do folding? I'm currently using the gpu windows client, but i'm wondering if there's still a better way? I'm kind of confused on the different versions (gpu, smp, etc)

here's my specs:
CPU - Core2Duo E6750 2.6 Ghz
4gb Ram (4x1gb)
EVGA 8800GT
Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit


my question is, what would be the most efficient way to run the folding client? I also have virtual box, and have ubuntu 64-bit on there. My computer is hardly ever turned off, so doing some folding while it sits is the obvious thing to do
thanks in advance.

 

I'm not the best adviser,but my guess would be you are already doing your part.

I would ask (send PM) augiedoggie
concerning the VM question or post a specific question (Thread Title:VM SMP) as that looks to be his forte and may well be possible to do both (gpu/vm smp) on the same computer.

fold on

 

Nah noprob no need for PM as I look at all the folding threads. :-D

Ooh, an 8800GT!:drool You will need to install the High Performance Client, the first Windows 6.23 systray option on that page. I see that you are pretty savvy so I'll just link the Stanford guide for ya.

As to SMP, I'm only familiar with VMWare 1.08. So using that as a guide, give it 768MB, ethernet is bridged and set to 2 processors. As to Ubuntu, do not use 8.10 as it's slower by %20 than either 8.04 or 9.04 the latter being more interesting to play with just to learn more about the OS as it's much different than 8.04. If the Stanford guide ain't enough(they do tend to go the expert route) try this guide instead.

If you need any help then just holler. Someone will help you. You'll be up on the first page for production in no time!:wine

 

thanks alot. I believe I am running the high performance one...for gpu. I was just wondering if one of the others (like smp) would be faster.

and another question, regarding the gpu client that I'm running. If I minimize the window, does it stop folding? I noticed that when the window is open, my cpu runs at 100%, but when it's closed (in the sys tray) there is still some activity going on, but it's only using about 2% cpu.

 

GPU is the strongest folder and SMP is just used to mop up spare cycles.

I think that 's a bug in the version you're running as GPU folding only uses around %2 CPU normally, so no it does not stop folding when minimized. You can monitor your folding progress using FAHMon.

 

I was a folding virgin until Augie got me set up and now i can run with the best, so heed his advice and he will get you the best results.

 

Ya, it definitely is a bug and has been so for a long time(Stanford forums). I don't know the performance difference between the systray and the console versions though you should keep the viewer closed and use the FAHMon instead but everyone who folds big numbers uses the console version. Your next step up.

I checked your production but it needs another day or so as the servers were down for a few hours yesterday, before I can see your true production.

You can always OC the shaders to get more PPD, your eVGA should be able to handle 1750 easily. The other two can go up say %5 for a temperature of about 65C, which is a good spot to be

 

coming up on my sights... [thesmokingun]

http://folding.extremeoverclocking.com/user_summary.php?s=&u=334124

looking good.

I will be so glad when my geforce 8600gt arrives.

now to purchase another power source,motherboard,cpu and maybe the geforce 9400gt I seen at tigerdirect,though I'm thinking another 8600gt may do.

 

I'm wondering if you have installed the SMP client thesmokingun, "to mop up the spare cpu cycles"?

Should I ever have a duel or quad core cpu I myself will use the SMP client also via VMWare.

I wonder what happened to gas1can as an after thought?

fold on

 

that's kinda what i was wondering, if i could use the gpu folding client and the smp for cpu...

 

If and when you decide to,as a suggestion I would throttle the client(s) back (SMP) to say 85% to get an idea of the temperatures,because you will be using all available idle cycles from your cpu(s).

I would ask augie about configuring smp as he already has done so.

and I still believe the gpu client uses some cpu idle cycles from viewing the program Core Temp
I run from time to time.

fold on

 

With the VMware running SMP the CPU runs at about 50% so there is plenty left over for other work.
If you are using a quad just disable 2 cores (number 2 and 3)
As for heat you will need good ventilation so the best thing you can do is use a fan speed controller like "speedfan" and for the GPU EVGA.
If you follow Augie guide you should be able to pick up over 1500 points per day with the SMP client.
Good Luck.

 

Doesn't look like thesmokingun or noprob has to worry about Fred.Done blew past them both.

 

was tinkerin with ubuntu 64 and smp in virtualbox....was using 100% of both cores, so i will save that for when i'm not using the computer, over night and such.

 

ok so i figured out that i cant get virtual box to see that i have a core2duo (or could be operator error, wouldn't surprise me), so smp is out on ubuntu. I have just the regular cpu client running in virtual xp. I was a bit disappointed to see the results after ~15 hours with both the gpu client in win7 and the other in xp running at the same time. seems less than what i was getting with just the gpu client running. i am only going by the kakao stats page for the last 24 hours, so it might not be exact. I should get that program that keeps track of the stats...

 

FahMon

I haven't used this in a long time (years) and am very pleased with the results.

It even has benchmark stats from the tools drop down menu.

fold on

 

not to take over anyones thread,just a heads up that I have purchased another 8600GT and once the Prescott finishes the cpu WU I will install and add to our Fold.

If interested in the 8600GT do a search on eBay using buy it now option.
This card is listed in Everest as "Video Adapter MSI NX8600GT-E (MS-V091)",but is not the over clocked version,all stock and I might add the ones I have purchased are 512MB DDR3 even thought listed on eBay as 256MB w/free shipping.

There is a category of WU's that cause more heat then others using the gpu client so I have downloaded the experimental version 1.27 which replaces the 1.19 version of FahCore_11.exe and set it following instructions here
It has helped as I was running at 71C on those WU's and now run at 68C

Also as a side note I will be visiting my mother and sister in another state and will have my farm down as I won't be here to tend to it between August 7th. until August 17th. thereafter I will fire the farm back up.

Fold On

 

Yo dudes, what exactly is Folding, Neo, TSC?????

 

Distributed computing where people get little bits of raw data to process and then send back the results. Folding now has an equivalent network to a 5 teraflop supercomputer. Folding is for medical research though I I know nothing about the other two. There is also SETI, looking for alien signals from space.

 

Oh ok, sounds good, how exactly does it work ?? How much network usage will it mean etc?

 

It really depends on which client you use, I'm only familiar with folding. If you go with the uber folding with a quad and/or a high-end video card, it could be 10MB per unit, definitely need a fast connection. Check out the long sticky in this forum, it will get you started.

 

Alright ... one last question ... I do have a Quad and a 9800GX2 ... and an ADSL2+ (20mbps down and 1mbps up) connection, will that be good enough? How many mbs a month will it take (approx)

 

Ooh, nice rig.:drool I have a quad with a pair of 9800GTs and an X2 with a GTX 260-216 and I haven't blown my 20/10 GB d/u cap yet and I do a lot of Youtube and downloading also. That's about the best answer that I can give you ATM. And yes you have an excellent system for folding. Just be aware that the GPU's will get hot.

You should start a new thread just for yourself stating your hardware as folks don't look at long threads too much. I'll be off for a bit but I'll give you a hand later on today.

 

Thanks

Sounds good, be lookin forward to it :-D