Back for more fun...

[blert]

I’m back after a couple of years of traveling and it looks like there have been some changes in how things are done…

Last time I was contributing the quad based system was king and if you were able to squeeze 5500 points a day out of it you were a miracle worker. Now it looks like the GPU is the way to go, with relatively basic systems getting 20,000 PPD or more. I have a couple of questions/observations that I haven’t been able to fully satisfy with the search button:

Can someone PM me or post a link(s) to the best way to set up a multiple GPU system and maximize its efficiency? I’ll be using quad core CPUs and Vista/Win 7 64-bit systems if it makes a difference… and a couple of GTX 280’s to start with. Would prefer to not have to deal with VM if possible.

What program is best to monitor all of these GPUs/instances of FOH? Is the FOHMON program still a good choice or is there something better? Looking for simple as I may have my GF check their status when I can’t.

Does Vista still require dummy plugs on cards not hooked up to a monitor? Seems half the links I visited went one way or the other.

Last, what are some good single slot cards that are being used now?

THANKS for your help!

 

[Rudy Toody]

I can't answer any of your questions, but welcome back!

 

[VirtualLarry]

Can someone PM me or post a link(s) to the best way to set up a multiple GPU system and maximize its efficiency? I’ll be using quad core CPUs and Vista/Win 7 64-bit systems if it makes a difference… and a couple of GTX 280’s to start with. Would prefer to not have to deal with VM if possible.

What program is best to monitor all of these GPUs/instances of FOH? Is the FOHMON program still a good choice or is there something better? Looking for simple as I may have my GF check their status when I can’t.

Does Vista still require dummy plugs on cards not hooked up to a monitor? Seems half the links I visited went one way or the other.

Last, what are some good single slot cards that are being used now?

THANKS for your help!

According to some people, NV drivers newer than 258.xx don't require dummy plugs anymore, under Vista/Win7. I have yet to test this.

The new kid on the block for monitoring F@H is "HFM.NET". Works the same way as FAHMON, basically, but it crashes less.

For a multi-GPU install, depending on your GPU (fermi require GPU3 client, older NV and ATI cards GPU2 client), you install the client. (I use the systray GPU client).
After you install it, it creates a directory under appdata for the GPU client, and a shortcut in the start menu. Delete the shortcut to auto-start it in the Start menu. Copy the work directory under appdata, as many times as you have GPUs. Number the copies. Then create a shortcut on your desktop, pointing to the F@H executable in the directory it installed into, with the "Start In" info pointing to your copied work directory. Copy this shortcut so you have as many shortcuts as GPUs. Edit each shortcut's "start in" directory to point to the work directory of the particular GPU. Then edit each shortcut's "Target" property, and add "-gpu 0" for the first GPU, "-gpu 1" for the second, etc.

So in the end, you should have a work directory for each GPU (plus the original, which won't be used), as well as a shortcut for each GPU, corresponding with each work directory.

Then just double-click the GPU0 shortcut, configure it, and let it run, and then do GPU1, etc.

Then configure HFM.NET, and "add client", name it and point it at the client's work directory that you copied earlier.

 

[Neurodog]

Hey, hey

Welcome back!

 

[theAnimal]

According to some people, NV drivers newer than 258.xx don't require dummy plugs anymore, under Vista/Win7. I have yet to test this.

Worked fine for me, just need to add the -forcegpu nvidia_g80 flag.

 

[biodoc]

Welcome back blert!

 

[Emma001]

it is difficult for me to understand

 

[GLeeM]

it is difficult for me to understand

Hello Emma001 Welcome to the Distributed Computing Forum!
We will explain more clearly, if you will ask a question

Welcome back blert Just in time to stay in the Top 50!

 

[theAnimal]

Noticed your production has stopped again, hope all is well.