Getting back in to Folding. Just a quick question.

[[H]eckel]

I have been considering getting back in to this folding thing. I did it quite heavily back around 2000 when it was getting popular, but I haven't done it in a long time.

I've just been noticing all of the new options such as using PS3 and GPU to fold with and its peaking my interest.

I had a question and google didn't really give me any straight answers. Is there a way to fully utilize your CPU and GPU on a machine while folding or is it just one client or another?

I loaded the main client on my main machine earlier, and it only seems to be using about 15-20% of my CPU.

I have a quad core i7 920.

I've got the PS3 client up and running now also and getting ready to load it on my HTPC just to see what kind of output I can get going.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[alan2308]

First you have to have a compatible GPU (or two) in your computer. What GPU are you running?

If you have a capable GPU, you can run the SMP client and the GPU client to fully utilize your hardware and maximize your contribution.

And most importantly, welcome back to the fold!

 

[Kendrak]

Welcome back!

With an i7 you will be getting a bunch of questions how how it runs.

The standard client will only use one core.

Since the i7 is a quad wit HT, the usage that you are stating isn't surprising.

After you get comfy with the SMP, You should probably be able to run 2 (maybe 3 or 4) SMP clients on that box to max out the proc.

I refer you to the guides: http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1339662

My best guess (and it is that, we don't have a bunch of exp with i7 yet)

Is you want to get yourself 2x SMP clients (if you are familiar with linux and VMs go that route) and a GPU2 for each card you have.

You will have one very very powerful boxen crunching away at full speed.

 

[[H]eckel]

Thanks for the quick responses. I have a single GeForce GTX 280.

When you say the SMP client, are you referring to the command line client?

I am using the system tray normal client as of right now, and it appears that it is using all 8 threads, but only a fraction of each.

What would be the benefit of using linux on a VM?

I will check out the guides too.

Thanks

 

[Kendrak]

Thanks for the quick responses. I have a single GeForce GTX 280.

When you say the SMP client, are you referring to the command line client?

What would be the benefit of using linux on a VM?

http://folding.stanford.edu/English/DownloadWinOther

Last two clients on that page, your choice of flavor.

What would be the benefit of using linux on a VM?

The linux SMP is a bit more stable. It also has the A2 core (that wont work in windows) and gives almost 2x the points and screams though WU.

 

[[H]eckel]

Nice. Thanks for the info.