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Dual Xeon -bigadv worklog

K

Kendrak

[H]ard|DCer of the Year 2009
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
21,141
Well I've had this folding for a few days, wanted to make sure that it was stable and running well before it went into a case. (I hate building a rig in a case and finding out something is wrong.)

I wanted to share what I found working with this equipment and to let others know what works and how to do it on the cheap.

I got my hands on 2x 5530s used on the FS forum. If you don't check it often your missing out.
I went on newegg and got this mobo. It is a dream to work with, onboard video, so if you plan to go pure SMP, it cuts down on power use.

I must say however that you are using a H50, you must get a HSF that has screw down pins. Intel has some very nice active HSF that do a very good job.

So far I have 8gb of RAM in the rig, I'll up it to 12 in the near future, but I have to get more RAM for my i7 rig... it has the other 2 sticks rite now.

nexus1.jpg


nexus2.jpg


nexus3.jpg


nexusscreen1.jpg


In the near future I'm going to install linux and do a native -bigadv -smp 15 run, but for now I'm running the EVGA VM in windows with HT off using the 8 cores.With that I'm getting just over 30kppd according to HFM.net. I'm exited to see what will happen when I get to use HT.

As I change the client/OS mix I'll keep this updated, and I'll post more pics when the rig makes it into a case.

Beyond this I ask you to ask me questions. If there is something that you want to me try LMK. Keep in mind this is a -bigadv folder So it might take a few days to finish a WU and get tot he point where I can reset the client.

 
Awesome build, Kendrak. Is this running at stock frequency?
 
Have you considered turning on HT and running an 8-core -bigadv VM alongside SMP2 running at -smp 8? I wonder if that would give you even more PPD.
 
APOLLO said:
Awesome build, Kendrak. Is this running at stock frequency?
Click to expand...

Yeh, no OC options on these type boards beyond turbo boost.

The chips are E5530's and with the boost they run at 2.53.
 
Zero82z said:
Have you considered turning on HT and running an 8-core -bigadv VM alongside SMP2 running at -smp 8? I wonder if that would give you even more PPD.
Click to expand...

That's a thought If I can't get a native linux install to work.
 
I'm sure a native Linux install would work just fine; I'm still a little curious though :).
 
sorry for the noob question but why use the -smp 15 flag and not -smp 16??
 
sdy284 said:
sorry for the noob question but why use the -smp 15 flag and not -smp 16??
Click to expand...
I can't speak for Kendrak but on the FF there were some reports of better performance. This could possibly be from lower memory usage or simply poor scaling of the client, I can't really say but that's what I recall reading.
 
APOLLO said:
I can't speak for Kendrak but on the FF there were some reports of better performance. This could possibly be from lower memory usage or simply poor scaling of the client, I can't really say but that's what I recall reading.
Click to expand...

Evil is the one who told me about the smp -15. You need a combiner thread for every 2 folding thread for it to run smoothly. With 15, 10 folding and 5 combiners. if you use 16 one of the combiners will be saturated slowing the whole thing down.

(I might have the naming wrong, but this is how I understand it when Evil explained it to me)
 
I did not know the "official terms" either. Thanks Google

12 particle-particle and 4 PME only nodes (-smp 16)
10 particle-particle and 5 PME only nodes (-smp 15)


@Kendrak - I think (based on your setup experience) this won't be your last dual cpu system. :)
Told you that I could not hold you back for long.
 
EvilAlchemist said:
@Kendrak - I think (based on your setup experience) this won't be your last dual cpu system. :)
Told you that I could not hold you back for long.
Click to expand...

That is mostly dependent on getting another deal on the CPUs. Under $500 for both CPUs I could swing. $500 each, not so much.

The wife still looks at the rig and says, "look there is my new dishwasher and water heater." I told her we have the $$ for those too, but we are waiting for the new appliance rebate program to start in a couple months.

I'll have my car paid off soon, that that will help as well. The thing is our baby is due May 5th and they are not cheap from what I'm told. (you can go poor just buying diapers)

In short: we will see. I find another killer CPU deal, it's possible. Even more so if we get a good tax refund.
 
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Kendrak said:
That is mostly dependent on getting another deal on the CPUs. Under $500 for both CPUs I could swing. $500 each, not so much.

The wife still looks at the rig and says, "look there is my new dishwasher and water heater." I told her we have the $$ for those too, but we are waiting for the new appliance rebate program to start in a couple months.

I'll have my car paid off soon, that that will help as well. The thing is our baby is due May 5th and they are not cheap from what I'm told. (you can go poor just buying diapers)

In short: we will see. I find another killer CPU deal, it's possible. Even more so if we get a good tax refund.
Click to expand...


diaper solving issue.. buy towels and pins.. :p lol but yeah seriously.. diapers alone will make you go poor.. let alone all the food.. forget the toys.. just give him/her an empty box.. i swear they will get more enjoyment out of the box then anything else..

thankfully ill have a long time before i ever have to deal with this though.. :D
 
Kendrak said:
That is mostly dependent on getting another deal on the CPUs. Under $500 for both CPUs I could swing. $500 each, not so much.

The wife still looks at the rig and says, "look there is my new dishwasher and water heater." I told her we have the $$ for those too, but we are waiting for the new appliance rebate program to start in a couple months.

I'll have my car paid off soon, that that will help as well. The thing is our baby is due May 5th and they are not cheap from what I'm told. (you can go poor just buying diapers)

In short: we will see. I find another killer CPU deal, it's possible. Even more so if we get a good tax refund.
Click to expand...

If that motherboard would have had been able to OC it would have really been sweet. And on the baby note tell the wife dont buy to many new baby cloths they only fit for a few weeks, and kids do love boxs bought my daughter a barbie jeep she played with the box
 
lehmann said:
If that motherboard would have had been able to OC it would have really been sweet. And on the baby note tell the wife dont buy to many new baby cloths they only fit for a few weeks, and kids do love boxs bought my daughter a barbie jeep she played with the box
Click to expand...

you could make cloths out of all the anti static bags that come with your sweet folding gear :)
 
:eek:Drool, I like to see you trying 64bit Linux on this beast natively.
I am guessing sub 30 minute tpf times:eek:
Veerry Nicceeeee!




 
Air Cooled 420 said:
:eek:Drool, I like to see you trying 64bit Linux on this beast natively.
I am guessing sub 30 minute tpf times:eek:
Veerry Nicceeeee!

Click to expand...

I'm uploading -bigadv WU rite now, I'm going to stop the VM and do an install tomorrow night, I'm looking forward to seeing what this can do with HT on and running full speed :cool:
 
Kendrak said:
I'm uploading -bigadv WU rite now, I'm going to stop the VM and do an install tomorrow night, I'm looking forward to seeing what this can do with HT on and running full speed :cool:
Click to expand...
Anxiously awaiting your results...:cool:
 
Well I loaded up windows SMP just to let it run while I'm at sleep/work and this rig is a total waste on A3.

Don't get me wrong 15+k ppd is not bad.... but for what this rig can do with -bigadv, i wont be coming back to A3 untill it works with the -bigadv flag.

Edit: it seems that is is more 17.5k, but still, this is not what I want to run long term.
 
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nitrobass24 said:
K on your VM did you try with HT and without HT?
Click to expand...

Since the VM only goes to 8 threads I'm opting for a native CENTOS install tonight. My hope there is I can do a -SMP 15 and saturate the procs best I can.

I don't know why, but I have the feeling that the new version of -bigadv is going to need some strong procs to qualify for a meaningful bonus.
 
Kendrak said:
I don't know why, but I have the feeling that the new version of -bigadv is going to need some strong procs to qualify for a meaningful bonus.
Click to expand...
Did you hear anything regarding a new version or different bonus calculation? Do you mean an A3 core -bigadv version?
 
I've got CentOS installed, got FAH installed per tigers guide.

Now I've added the arguments into the FAH file as the same guide says, but when I go to start I get a bad argument error? I think it is tripping on the -bigadv because it isn't on the list.

What did I do wrong?
 
Kendrak said:
I've got CentOS installed, got FAH installed per tigers guide.

Now I've added the arguments into the FAH file as the same guide says, but when I go to start I get a bad argument error? I think it is tripping on the -bigadv because it isn't on the list.

What did I do wrong?
Click to expand...
You need the different FAH executable that supports -bigadv WUs. That's really odd if you DL the latest client because IIRC Stanford made the changes to recognize that flag. :confused:
 
APOLLO said:
You need the different FAH executable that supports -bigadv WUs. That's really odd if you DL the latest client because IIRC Stanford made the changes to recognize that flag. :confused:
Click to expand...

How do I go about getting that? (I'm near helpless in linux)
 
Speaking of dual Xeons, we just got a new HP workstation for processing image data into 3D images. The sucker has dual X5550's. All I can do is look at it and drool while thinking about how it can fold...
 
Kendrak said:
How do I go about getting that? (I'm near helpless in linux)
Click to expand...
Which client version did you install? Did you try the latest v6.29? If that doesn't work, try this version. When you DL the executable, type: ./fah6 -bigadv -smp x -verbosity 9 where x is the number of threads you wish to run.
 
OK.....

I just went to the FAH page and downloaded the linux version.

After some fumbling I figured out this is what ya need to do:
Code: 
./fah6 -configonly
Username:kendrak
Team:33
Passkey: ######
Unite size:big
Change adv options: yes
<keep hitting enter till....>
add peramiters: -smp 15 -bigadv -verbosity 9

A few more enters and your done with your config, then just type

Code: 
./fah6

and let her rip...... she is going now....

Now I have to figure out samba....... /sigh :(

Best I can tell finstall is not pulling the correct file.
 
I have decided that the HSF that I have are capable of cooling the CPUs with HT on, however they will render me deaf.

8k RMP ow my ears!

I'm back to the EVGA VM with 8 threads (HT off) as I ponder getting a second H50 and water cool the rig.

Not to mention I wanted to stab myself in the eye working with CentOS. Powerful OS, not for linux n00bs :(
 
Kendrak said:
Not to mention I wanted to stab myself in the eye working with CentOS. Powerful OS, not for linux n00bs :(
Click to expand...

I'm with you!! I'm not looking forward to setting up my new systems in March using Linux. I'm a COMPLETE LINUX nOOb!!!!!!!

I actually want to take it for a test drive before hand, if I have the time. I want to make sure when my stuff comes in I'm ready to go!!!
 
Guys, there are simpler Linux distros that are relatively easy to work with, such as Kubuntu if you don't mind the little bit of extra overhead. Get your feet wet with an easy distro and then you can install something more capable if you really need to. Just don't be hesitant or reluctant to ask questions. I will try to help where my experience permits. There are other people here who know Linux extremely well. God knows I've been through a lot with my Linux trials and tribulations. :eek:
 
I will probably take another crack at it, but by then A3 -bigadv might be out.
 
Kendrak said:
I will probably take another crack at it, but by then A3 -bigadv might be out.
Click to expand...

All my gear is down right now as i redo my HTPCs and WHS
Im hoping that A3 -bidadv is around the corner, it would sure be nice.
 
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