Recommendations?

[Tytalus]

I've been folding for the [H]orde for a few months, but the numbers have been steadily decreasing over time. I fold on my home machine (listed in my sig), but I also run on my work machine with the following specs:

Intel Pentium D 920 (Presler 65nm 2.8GHz, dual core of course) w/ 2GB of RAM

For the past few months I've been running the standard Console Client in Windows XP Pro SP2. I'm interested in maxing out my PPD now that Adrenaline (from these forums) finally built a new PC and is generating a few thousand PPD on his work/home PC.

Friendly competition brings out the best in all of us, doesn't it? Anywho, my PPD speaks for itself right now, it SUCKS. Alternate solutions based on my system configurations? (and links if possible, I won't have a lot of time at work or at home this evening for reconfiguring!)

I am a heavy gamer at home, and the work PC needs to be able to do software builds and what-not, so no 100% dedicated solutions (have to stay in Windows, sadly.)

EDIT: I suppose while I'm posting this I could also ask if an NVidia client has been finished yet, or is in the Beta stage. I had heard of one "eventually" coming out, but nobody was ever able to pin it down for me.

 

[[BRO]Alaskan]

See this thread and modify it to your needs
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1163268

 

[Tytalus]

See this thread and modify it to your needs
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1163268

DOH! Sorry, I meant operating system and F@H client recommendations. =) Preferably something relatively easy to download and get set up. I was reading through the VMware thread and that looks promising.... getting 90-100 PPD on my sig PC and 75-100 PPD on my work PC is completely unacceptable given the level of hardware that exists in both!

 

[[BRO]Alaskan]

Yout pentium D 920 meets the requirements (64bit dual core) to run SMP linux through VMware so you would be good to go. You would prob get ~6-700PPD.

 

[zim01]

Will the D make the time frames Bro?

 

[[BRO]Alaskan]

Yes. I typically get mine done in half the time required with my slowest folder (AM2 4200 @2.4) so a 2.8ghz Pentiun D should return them (using VMware) in about 75% longer.

 

[Killer[MoB]]

Running a VM ware setup for SMP folding on the computer in your sig will generate 1500 to 2000+ points per day depending on the WU. I have 4 systems folding and I averaged 4993 PPD last week (34953 points last week).

 

[Tytalus]

Hmph.... sounds interesting. I'm going to load VMware here at work, any suggestions on the OS? I was looking in to Ubuntu, but some of my buddies here at work said it can be somewhat complex for the person who just wants to do an install-and-go type of thing. (Too much configuration for a casual user)

Thanks for the info so far!

 

[nothingtrend]

opensuse 10.2 is easy to configure, as is fedora 6 and ubuntu 6.10

You should be able to get a working desktop up and running the smp client in less time than a base windows install

follow directions and you are set.

 

[Tytalus]

I'm pulling down the LiveCD for Ubuntu 6.10 right now, and I'm going to run that in Windows VirtualPC 2007 and see how it goes. Was just curious what everyone else out there is using ATM (virtually, that is!)

 

[nothingtrend]

if you are going to be running it virtually grab the vmware image in this post http://www.hardforum.com/showpost.php?p=1030619764&postcount=244

 

[SmokeRngs]

The rig in your sig should be putting out at least 400-500 PPD on crappy regular work units as it is. Mine is clocked a bit lower and does that much. Well, when I'm actually using Windows. My main system spends at least 80% of it's time in Linux anymore. About the only time I'm in Windows is for gaming and that's mainly because I have some trouble with Wine.

Your work system should be putting out at least twice as much as it's doing. My work system is a P4 Presshott 2.8 Ghz and it does between 90-100 PPD on the current crappy work units.

 

[Tytalus]

The rig in your sig should be putting out at least 400-500 PPD on crappy regular work units as it is. Mine is clocked a bit lower and does that much. Well, when I'm actually using Windows. My main system spends at least 80% of it's time in Linux anymore. About the only time I'm in Windows is for gaming and that's mainly because I have some trouble with Wine.

Your work system should be putting out at least twice as much as it's doing. My work system is a P4 Presshott 2.8 Ghz and it does between 90-100 PPD on the current crappy work units.

I really have no explanation for why they are working so slow. I have both machines crunching two at a time (dual cores, 2 instances running).... that would seem to make sense to me *SHRUG*. It worked a LOT better a few months ago, the past month or so though it's been dragging (as can be seen on my performance.)

Unfortunately I didn't have a lot of time last night to experiment, I tried getting the 64-bit Ubuntu 6.10 installed at home but VMware was having some issues with that, so I'll have to figure out another solution tonight.