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cpu vs gpu folding

Modred189

Modred189

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I am currently using my htpc as my folding rig. It has a e6300 (stock) and an ati 3450 stock, and passively cooled. I'm pretty basic, as in I installed the gpu client and let her run.

My question is (in general) is cpu or gpu folding better/faster?
In my case would my cpu or gpu fold better?
Can you fold using both the gpu AND cpu at the same time? By running a gpu and cpu client?

 
Well nVIDIA cards have the new GPU2 client which was apparently well optimized to take advantage of the processing power of these GPUs, the "old" GPU1 client was conceived for ATI cards and well it apparently isn´t very well optimized, it needs an upgrade.

Now you get top points with a nVIDIA card around 4500PPD with a GeForce 8800,
with an ATI you get around 1400PPD.

So as of right now u get more PPD if u have a nVIDIA card
 
CPU is better, GPU is faster.

CPU can do all sorts of calcs, where GPU is limited in that sense.

And yes fold with both is the best!

 
Both is going to be the best.

Since you are running vista and the GPU does not need a whole core, you can run the SMP and GPU. My guess is you should see 3k point untill the newer WU are put out that can take full advantage of what the ATI cards can do.
 
You can fold using both GPU and CPU clients, in fact, I'd venture to guess that most of us who use GPU clients also run a CPU client. (Either SMP or single)

There are GPU2 clients for both NVidia and ATI. The ATI version is reported to be less productive in PPD.

I'd be careful with your passively cooled components. These clients really crank up the heat. Monitor it for a while and see what the temps are for GPU core and RAM. Also I'd keep an eye on your CPU and Northbridge temps.
 
It depends what front end you are using for your htpc. I tried using Meedios while the gpu was foldling and.....the gpu client renders Meedios about useless. It still works but extremely lagged out.

 
relic said:
You can fold using both GPU and CPU clients, in fact, I'd venture to guess that most of us who use GPU clients also run a CPU client. (Either SMP or single)

There are GPU2 clients for both NVidia and ATI. The ATI version is reported to be less productive in PPD.

I'd be careful with your passively cooled components. These clients really crank up the heat. Monitor it for a while and see what the temps are for GPU core and RAM. Also I'd keep an eye on your CPU and Northbridge temps.
Click to expand...
GPUz shows my graphics card temp as 43 degrees C under 98% load.
The cpu, runs at about 51 under load, so there might be some room for cpu folding. The NB though, is running at 68, and the SB at 80 c. Both seem pretty warm, though intel's hardware manager says it is ok.
 
Some people may bash me here for not telling you to max your PPD.

But in an HTPC I'd think you'd probably want to only use the CPU client like the single threaded 5.03, as anything else is going to slow down your computer while you're using. This client is the only one that really ONLY uses idle cycles. Everything else doesn't seem to be optimized to use ONLY idle cycles.

The GPU clients need to be fixed and do something where it only uses so many shaders/stream processors or whatever, to folding while you're using your computer, then back to 100% of them when the PC is idle

The GPU client can make even desktop graphics performance slow sometimes. IF you're using a fancy front end you'll probably notice it being slower or laggy. Besides an ATI 3450 isn't going to crank out that many points anyway.

Now if you had an 8800GT in there I'd say use just the GPU client and when you're actually using it if it gets laggy pause the work unit. B/c 8800GT's are cranking out like 480 points every 2.25 - 2.5 hours. So you could easily pause & restart it and still get tons of points / day.

 
chrisf6969 said:
Some people may bash me here for not telling you to max your PPD.

But in an HTPC I'd think you'd probably want to only use the CPU client like the single threaded 5.03, as anything else is going to slow down your computer while you're using. This client is the only one that really ONLY uses idle cycles. Everything else doesn't seem to be optimized to use ONLY idle cycles.

The GPU clients need to be fixed and do something where it only uses so many shaders/stream processors or whatever, to folding while you're using your computer, then back to 100% of them when the PC is idle

The GPU client can make even desktop graphics performance slow sometimes. IF you're using a fancy front end you'll probably notice it being slower or laggy. Besides an ATI 3450 isn't going to crank out that many points anyway.

Now if you had an 8800GT in there I'd say use just the GPU client and when you're actually using it if it gets laggy pause the work unit. B/c 8800GT's are cranking out like 480 points every 2.25 - 2.5 hours. So you could easily pause & restart it and still get tons of points / day.
Click to expand...
Well, I don't use my htpc for much of the day, so when it is idling I run the folding at 100%, but then I turn it way down when I am using the machine.
 
Modred189 said:
GPUz shows my graphics card temp as 43 degrees C under 98% load.
The cpu, runs at about 51 under load, so there might be some room for cpu folding. The NB though, is running at 68, and the SB at 80 c. Both seem pretty warm, though intel's hardware manager says it is ok.
Click to expand...

You can add some very quiet fans to your SB and NB and drop the temps a lot, your temps seem higher then I would ever allow on my machines. I have a shuttle with 3 fans from old HSF that are only 10mm thick and 70mm in diamater and they do very well.

Here is an alternative card by nVidla under the EVGA name:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...MC-IGNEFL071008-_-VideoCards-_-L0A-_-14130332

If you get the NewEgg news letter there is an additional 10 bucks off and it will do very well in your HTPC.

At the very least get those temps down as best you can.

Luck;)

 
I dropped my NB temps by 15c with some silent 40mms (salvaged from an old Pentium HSF) on my Shuttles and about 10c on my mid tower. (All q6600s) It seems that folding puts quite a workout on the Northbridge, not sure why.
 
well, my mobo is an Intel DG33TL:
dg33tl.jpg
So the NB cooling is adequate, but not stellar.Problem is, I don't know how much room there is for an aftermarket cooler...

Also, I like my 3450, as it is passive and has a native HDMI output, no adapters...
 
Screw a 40mm fan to the existing HS. 1" #8s or #10 screws will grip standard aluminum HS fins and hold the fan in place.

I don't bother to replace the heat sink, I just add a fan from the "junk parts" box.

If you can't find the right screws PM me your addy and I'll mail you some.
 
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