Have I got this set-up right?

Culinia · 29 Jul 2010 at 23:54

There was a time I thought "what a waste" (of a core i7) while leaving my computer on and just using MS Word or leave overnight to download or something simple like that.

I thought I would give folding another go and have set it up using this guide from the official website as well as running Fahmon:

Is it also alright to use computer normally i.e. turn on/off computer like I would normally would it interrupt the workloads?

I did not install as service, would this be a problem? I did not do this because I wanted to choose when to run it i.e. when not playing games.

Also it seems that if I were to set-up multi-gpus (my 2 GTX295) in the system under Windows 7, I would need to get dummy vga plugs which seems a really big pain considering that I am not running folding@home 24/7. Is this correct?
Thanks.

Frozennova · 30 Jul 2010 at 09:29

Yea thats all correct hiwever I would use HFM.NET for monitoring as it calculates the bonuses for you.

If you havent set a passkey then you want to get one from here so you can recieve the bonuses that A3 units provide

Pilgrim57 · 30 Jul 2010 at 11:46

Welcome to the team Culinia

A3 bonus take 3 complete WU's before it kicks in I believe.

I think you are on the right track. I haven't set up Win SMP myself but the flags in config should be the same " -advmethods -verbosity 9" should ensure you get the big workunits & that the log displays all the info"

The dummy plug I thought was for Vista. For multi gpu you need to disable Sli, make sure that each card has a different name i.e.gpu1 & gpu2, & just plug in a lead for the VGA between card & monitor but choose DVI/HDMI as primary monitor. If I've got that wrong I'm sure someone will correct me & put you right & might link to some instructions.

Good luck!

Frozennova · 30 Jul 2010 at 12:17

SMPs flags are -smp -advmethods -verbodity 9

Its complete WUs complete before bonuses and you must maintain at least an 80% return rate.

Dummy plugs are needed for both Vista and 7 due to the way they handle GPU drivers, this is also the same reason gpu folding cannot be set to run as a service.

Later drivers also allow you to fold on multiple GPUs without disabling SLi aswell

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com/foru...sli-enabled-no-dummy-plug-second-monitor.html

Pilgrim57 · 30 Jul 2010 at 12:41

Sorry to be contrary Frozennova but one of the posts says this:

Uh i got an easier way that works for me in Windows 7 (and probably vista)
The shortcut:
Target "C:\Program Files (x86)\Folding@home\Folding@home-gpu\[email protected]" -advmethods -forcegpu nvidia_g80 -gpu 0
Start In C:\Users\Arinoth\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu
Target "C:\Program Files (x86)\Folding@home\Folding@home-gpu\[email protected]" -advmethods -forcegpu nvidia_g80 -gpu 1
Start In C:\Users\Arinoth\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu2

This works for both SLI or non-sli with no desktop extended and no dummy plug
(advmethods for 'beta' wu's)

Frozennova · 30 Jul 2010 at 12:45

I believe the newer drivers 19x.xx allowed for folding without dummy plugs etc

Culinia · 30 Jul 2010 at 15:53

Thanks for the replies guys, I will of course look into it.
I use the 258.96 so hopefully it should be ok.

I did not do the -advmethods but I will add that it!

Senture · 30 Jul 2010 at 16:01

Up to you if you want to. You'll get newer work units but may possibly take a nose dive in PPD. That may change in the future though

As said by the others, make sure you have a pass key and have it configured in the client (along with the team number: 10), after you have completed 10 units you will qualify for the bonus points. You'll need to maintain 80% completion of all bonus awarded work (completed before the preferred deadline) to still qualify.

Culinia · 30 Jul 2010 at 22:12

Awesome stuff I think I have managed to configure 4 GPUs (x2 GTX295)

Only problem is that the CPU client PPD has shooting down. I suppose because the GPUs are using at maximum 10%

So yes you can actually do it without the dummy plugs..I have disabled SLI but I have not tried to see if it works with it enabled yet.

PS: are these temps ok for gfx cards: 86/89/87/86
and cpu: 68/67/67/66

Culinia · 31 Jul 2010 at 00:27

After fiddling around some more I gained an extra 10000ppd by switching from low > idle cycles in advanced options on the smt client.

Unfortunatly with the gfx under full load the temps are getting hotter.

83/94/85/90

@ 100% fan load

not sure why there is a 11deg difference

miniyazz · 1 Aug 2010 at 01:13

-smp 7 will likely up your CPU PPD. Graphics cards can run very hot without issue but I'm not familiar with acceptable GTX 295 temps.
You should start flying through the ranks with that setup, even not on 24/7

Culinia · 1 Aug 2010 at 01:26

miniyazz said:
-smp 7 will likely up your CPU PPD. Graphics cards can run very hot without issue but I'm not familiar with acceptable GTX 295 temps.
You should start flying through the ranks with that setup, even not on 24/7

Thanks

Went from 41.3k to 44.7k i.e. +3.7kppd

ps: this folding is dangerously addictive lol
would have liked to set up a dedicated folding rig but can't afford right now...hopefully sometime in the future though

not sure where I would put it though? Too hot and noisey.