Setup question for max ppd

[Intrepid]

I'll be adding 2 8800GTs to one of my boxen that contains a Q6600, 680i, and a single 8800GT. To maximize ppd should I run each of the three 88's on separate cores with the 4th core running a console, or overlap the 3 88's over two cores (3, 4, 3+4) with an affinity program and assign the remaining two cores to an SMP? Or is there a better way? I've got a few days and would appreciate any input.

Thanks.

 

[Sunin]

I'd use 1 smp, set the priority high on all the GPUs and set them to run on all cores.

This should net you about 2k SMP, and 4.8-5.2k from the GTs each.

 

[chrisf6969]

I think it depends on what OS you're using?

If you're using XP, I believe you need to set the affinity on each GPU, ie: dedicated one core to each GPU, then maybe run a single core client of the last core. As with XP each GPU will use 100% of a core. So 3 GPU's = 3 cores maxed out. And the cost of NOT keep them fed will far outweigh the points from the CPU client.

3 x 4800+PPD... you should be pulling about 13,000-15,000 PPD from the box with just the GPU's.

Now, if you have Vista you can do what Sunin said. B/c each GPU client only uses like 20% of a single core.

 

[Intrepid]

Good call. I forgot to mention I was using Vista.

I was planning on using a VM SMP and set it's priority low via task manager. In setting the priorities and affinities for the GPUs, I was going to change the setting in tab 3 of the config to slightly higher. Will this be sufficient, or should I grab bill2/seesaw pro./affinity II for the necessary changes?

 

[Sunin]

That should work. the 2 gpus can be fed via one core in vista... so leave teh other 3 churning on the smp. If you have a good OC on the CPU you can run dual SMPs. I have a vista box with dual smps and daul gtx's and each SMP was about 1550 and each GPU was about 5500. Basically at 3.6 what you have managed to do is add 2 more cores at 2.4Ghz. So it has the power of a 6 core Q6600. That is enough to man handle 4 clients

 

[chrisf6969]

...That is enough to man handle 4 clients

...on Vista.

 

[jws2346]

That should work. the 2 gpus can be fed via one core in vista...
/cut

What if you're a "dark ages" person (like me ) and you still use WinXP w/SP3. I've got a GPU2 (8800 GS w/384 MB) and 1x SMP crunching away on a 3.0 GHz Q6600. I have the SMP priority set to "low" (cores 0,1, 2) and the GPU2 priority set to "below normal" (core 3) My 8800 GS (shaders at 1703) gets about 4500 ppd, but with a 2665 WU I only get about 1300+ ppd with my CPU SMP. Does that sound about right? If I was to add another 8800 GS to the mix would the CPU SMP ppd be even less?

FOLD ON!

 

[Tigerbiten]

I've read in the other forums that its possible to run 2 or 3 GPU clients on a single core under XP without a major loss of points.
The theory is while one client waits for data from the GPU, another client can grab it.
But adding another type of client ,SMP ot standard, does not work as the CPU client runs at 100% all the time.
How well this works, I dont know but I may change my big GPU box from Vista64 to XP64 and see if it work.

Luck ............

 

[chrisf6969]

What if you're a "dark ages" person (like me ) and you still use WinXP w/SP3. I've got a GPU2 (8800 GS w/384 MB) and 1x SMP crunching away on a 3.0 GHz Q6600. I have the SMP priority set to "low" (cores 0,1, 2) and the GPU2 priority set to "below normal" (core 3) My 8800 GS (shaders at 1703) gets about 4500 ppd, but with a 2665 WU I only get about 1300+ ppd with my CPU SMP. Does that sound about right? If I was to add another 8800 GS to the mix would the CPU SMP ppd be even less?

Yes, your SMP client would get less PPD b/c in XP the GPU uses a lot of CPU resources, but it would be well worth it. As if you added another GPU, you'd be adding 4500+ PPD at a cost of maybe 300points on the SMP. So your net gain would be like 4200 extra PPD.

So you'd be getting something like GPU: 2 x 4500 PPD + CPU: 1000PPD = 10,000 PPD

 

[nomad8u]

What if you're a "dark ages" person (like me ) and you still use WinXP w/SP3. I've got a GPU2 (8800 GS w/384 MB) and 1x SMP crunching away on a 3.0 GHz Q6600. I have the SMP priority set to "low" (cores 0,1, 2) and the GPU2 priority set to "below normal" (core 3) My 8800 GS (shaders at 1703) gets about 4500 ppd, but with a 2665 WU I only get about 1300+ ppd with my CPU SMP. Does that sound about right? If I was to add another 8800 GS to the mix would the CPU SMP ppd be even less?

FOLD ON!

Not if you're running that SMP (ala notfred) in a VM. My Quad is currently running @ 340x9 for just over 3.0 and with 2x 9600GT (Getting 4000-4100 ea. depends on WU) plus the VM SMP is pulling 2070 as I type this. Total on the boxen is not less than 10k and has seen 11k on a couple of WU.

With 1 card I ran 2x VM SMP clients and each SMP averaged 1500-1800 plus the 4000-4500 for the card so I was able to pull a consistent 7500ppd with that setup.

It is SO worth the effort (it's actually not too hard) to setup VMware Server and start pulling all the points available to you...

If you decide to take the plunge and need help setting it up or links to files. LMK. Here is a link to a zipped up version of my "VMware .vmx files both 32 and 64 bit. These setup the basic VM you'll use and can be modified accordingly. You'll want the 64 bit file. This will get used with the "iso image" you create and download from Notfreds. Download and install VMware server (server is better than VMware player IMO because you can modify and create .vmx files with it) go to Notfreds, configure and download your .iso file. Create a seperate folder to hold the Notfred ISO file and the VMWare VMX file. Start VMware server and "Select Existing Virtual Machine". Change whatever you need in the settings and start the VM. Bingo.... you're folding.

Luck.