CPU load using GPU client

northun_munky · 13 Apr 2009 at 11:28

Hi guys,

I'm just getting back into folding after a time away and have set up the latest GPU client to fold on both GPU's of my 4850x2 for the big Team 10. Its working fine (other than the fact I got more PPD from a single 8800GT

) but i notice its using considerable CPU time across all for cores.

I remember my 8800gt used to use about 20% of 1 core. Is this an ati thing? Anything I need to worry about?

Snapshot · 13 Apr 2009 at 12:03

It's an ATI client thing. You can reduce it if you're using Vista - have a look for a recent thread that mentions various environment values you can set. It's a bit disappointing under XP as the ATI client uses a whole core but the Nvidia client barely uses 1% of the CPU power and, as you say, produces several times the PPD.

northun_munky · 13 Apr 2009 at 17:40

Cheers for the reply snapshot. I've had a search for the enviroment variables and entered the ones recommended to no effect. I'm still seeing 50-70%ish load across all cores. I think from reading the articles that the variables work for the 1.24 core, which you need 9.3 drivers for, which I don't have. I saw too much of a performance drop with the 9.3's so went back to 9.2's. Anyhow, lets clock up some points and see how it goes!

Biffa · 14 Apr 2009 at 11:20

That doesn't look right. I have a single 4850 in my quad core Vista box and I don't get those sorts of cpu loads (I think) I'll check when I get home, I usually run BOINC on the cores without any bad effect, but that might be masking the issue. :confused:

Biffa · 14 Apr 2009 at 23:00

FahCore_11.exe *32 using between 5 & 7% CPU & 29,912K Memory
[email protected] *32 using 0% CPU and 3,116K Memory

Thats overall use, if I check individual cores, its using about 20% of one core

northun_munky · 15 Apr 2009 at 15:21

Cheers for checking biffa. I moved to 9.4's and that reduced the load to about 5-10% on just two cores which is much better. Problem is I'm now getting random BSOD's!! Can't seem to win with the ATI client...

Biffa · 15 Apr 2009 at 19:14

I'm on 9.3.

Try the following, seems to work well for some.

Cat 9.4, F@H Core 11 v1.24, no DLL's in F@H GPU folder,
Environment variables:
BROOK_YIELD=2, CALL_NO_FLUSH=1, FLUSH_INTERVAL=128

Big.Wayne · 15 Apr 2009 at 22:02

Hey northun_munky,

I noticed the same thing!

That's running the latest GPU system tray client under Windows 7 using Cat 9.3. Pretty much have one 4GHz CPU core running at 50% to keep the GPU running at 99% :confused:

I did read about that FLUSH_CAL_DOWN_THE_BROOK thing but it was a bit above my head and I don't have time to fart about heh!

I'm hoping it will all be sorted in due course? maybe updated drivers or updated GPU client, on the flip side I'm pretty happy that its all actually working (beta OS, beta GPU Client etc) so I can't get too huffy!

I would like to get the two CPU cores folding as well but I'm not sure if I will be able to use both atm? . . . one for GPU feeding and one for pure folding seems to be the best I can hope for atm.

I'm well impressed with how well these GPU's fold compared to a CPU, no doubt the nVidia stuff is highly optimised and obviously the GPU of choice at this time for a serious folder but I have a feeling that could all change if ATI get the right people working on it . . . 800 shaders crunching sounds like its worth the wait! :cool:

shadowscotland · 15 Apr 2009 at 23:41

good to have you with us wayne

Big.Wayne · 16 Apr 2009 at 00:14

Heh I'm with CPC!

But we can still be friends I hope!

Biffa · 16 Apr 2009 at 00:23

NO!

Seriously they have like 10 times our output, why dont you throw your towel in with us we are much more fun

northun_munky · 16 Apr 2009 at 08:37

Biffa said:
I'm on 9.3.

Try the following, seems to work well for some.

Cat 9.4, F@H Core 11 v1.24, no DLL's in F@H GPU folder,
Environment variables:
BROOK_YIELD=2, CALL_NO_FLUSH=1, FLUSH_INTERVAL=128

Using those settings ON THE 1.24 CORE with the addition of CAL_PRE_FLUSH = 1 AND STILL GETTING bsod

Ill have a further play with it but I might have to settle for just one GPU which is a shame.

Big.Wayne said:
Heh I'm with CPC!

But we can still be friends I hope!

Thats who I folded with a while back. Used to like getting my name in the mag! But I spend most of my time here so I've done the switch.