F@H: New version of FahCore_11.exe (Nvidia core)

[Insidious]

So I was lurking around in the fah forums and saw a thread talking about a new core version of the Gromacs client for NV GPUs.

I read that it doesn't update automatically. The version released today is 1.15. I looked at my fahlog.txt files and found I was on version 1.09

To force the update, stop your GPU client, go to the working directory and rename or delete the existing FahCore_11.exe file.

When you next start the GPU client it will download a new copy of FahCore_11.exe and it will be the version 1.15.

It is too soon to be completely certain, but after ~30 frames, fahmon is reporting a PPD increase of 10% from each of my clents. :thumbsup: (GPU temperatures are not changed in any meaningful way)

GTX+ went from 6083 -> 6689 (same on each of two clients in different PCs.)
GTS (G92) went from 5083 -> 6010 (same on each of two clients in different PCs.)
GTS (NV80) went from 4400 -> 4937

-Sid

(edit You can check for your current version by looking at the following portion of fahlog.txt

[20:36:34] + Processing work unit
[20:36:34] Core required: FahCore_11.exe
[20:36:34] Core found.
[20:36:34] Working on queue slot 02 [October 13 20:36:34 UTC]
[20:36:34] + Working ...
[20:36:34]
[20:36:34] *------------------------------*
[20:36:34] Folding@Home GPU Core - Beta
[20:36:34] Version 1.15 (Mon Oct 13 11:11:30 PDT 2008)
[20:36:34]
[20:36:34] Compiler : Microsoft (R) 32-bit C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 14.00.50727.762 for 80x86
[20:36:34] Build host: amoeba

 

[natethegreat]

Thanks Scott, I will take a look at my gpu client when I get home :thumbsup:

 

[Foxery]

ATI has also been updated to version 1.17. Some people are reporting speedups, others are reporting horrible crashes and death. Y'know, business as usual

 

[jonesthewine]

Thanks for the heads-up...I have 2 8800GTs and a GTX 260, so a 10% increase would mean another ~1500PPD for me and more science for the Stanford crew.

 

[Drsignguy]

Originally posted by: Foxery
ATI has also been updated to version 1.17. Some people are reporting speedups, others are reporting horrible crashes and death. Y'know, business as usual

Thanks for the info! Using it on my ATi 3870 now and we shall see what the outcome will be.

 

[covert24]

just updated. thanks!

 

[Markfw]

with my 4 8800GT's and 2 9800 GT's that 3000 ppd for me....

 

[Foxery]

Mkay, so far it sounds like the new cores work well under WinXP, but need some fiddling in Vista. Either: A) running in Compatibility Mode, or B) installing the client somewhere other than C:\Program Files seems to work.

nVidia v1.15 discussion thread: Link
ATI v1.17 discussion thread: Link

 

[Drsignguy]

Well so far with Vista x64 all seems to be going well. I saved the client to "old" ( just in case ) and restarted the client and it loaded the new core. At 65% as of now. Will check in the morning before work to make sure I didn't get an EUE. Hopefully.

 

[Cutthroat]

Working great on Vista x64 here. I Just deleted the old core after finishing a WU, and it downloaded the new core on restart. It is much faster, getting ~7680ppd with an SMP client running as well. That's the same ppd as I get if I don't run an SMP client at all, I'm going to have to close my SMP client and check out the CPU usage of this new core.

EDIT: It seems the CPU usage is less, but not non-existent. I am now using between 5% and 40% of one core, it bounces back and forth a lot.

 

[Drsignguy]

Yup, I would agree with cutthroat, it works just fine in vista x64. Finished the Wu and on to the next just like clockwork.

 

[Gravity]

If you are overclocking your cards, you may want to check for EUE's on these new cores. My 9800GX2 is crunching along fine with one GPU but the other one is only reaching 30% or so and then ending abruptly. They say the new core recruits more shaders for the work so it's faster but the overclocking may result in errors.

Check your stuff,

Gravity

 

[Insidious]

There's been a lot of posts at the fah forum by people getting more EUEs. Right now the blame is being focused on overclocks. I haven't had too many here, but backed off just a smidge to be sure.

Good advice to keep an eye out. Thanks Gravity

 

[Markfw]

I have had a great day or 2, no EUE's ! I will actually get my real PPD today for the first time in ages, probably 51k ! This exe is just fine.....

 

[Drsignguy]

Originally posted by: Markfw900
I have had a great day or 2, no EUE's ! I will actually get my real PPD today for the first time in ages, probably 51k ! This exe is just fine.....

This is very good news.

 

[Markfw]

BTW, I have 6 GPU clients, they always worked well, it was the 9 SMP clients that were a problem, but the 2665's dried up, and now they are back to 2653's that never had problems on a stable computer. I think thats the reason I am doing well now.

Edit: 4 more 2665's showed up this morning.....

 

[Markfw]

I kinxed myself. Just lost 1 2000 point wu at 100%, after it finished, I get an error. and one stalled at 43%, so I lost about 3000 points today.

And the 2653's went away, and the 2665's came back. I really hate those pieces of crap, they give me all the EUE's !!!!

 

[lightstar]

To force the update, stop your GPU client, go to the working directory and rename or delete the existing FahCore_11.exe file.


i should probably know this after folding for a few months. . . .but i was wondering- where is the working directory?

 

[Insidious]

I think they have started automatic updates so you probably don't need to force it at this point, but if you do...

C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\application data\Folding@home-gpu

-Sid

 

[Foxery]

Looks like ATI is up to version 1.18 today. I don't think updates have been forced yet, especially with all the Vista users having issues. XP is trouble free as usual... I wonder what Windows 7 will be like

 

[biodoc]

jeez...I hope all of these issues get resolved before our annual FAH X-mas race.

Anyone up for the race this year?

There's a lot of hot rod GPU guys that have passed me like I'm standing still!:shocked:

Great job guys!:beer::beer:

 

[Insidious]

Originally posted by: biodoc
jeez...I hope all of these issues get resolved before our annual FAH X-mas race.

Anyone up for the race this year?

There's a lot of hot rod GPU guys that have passed me like I'm standing still!:shocked:

Great job guys!:beer::beer:

Maybe that's because you ARE standing still :shocked:

25 2,454 biodoc -2 0 0 0 0 1,364,746 2,316

When is the last time you put in a work unit anyway?

-Sid

(you know I'm up for some good holiday racing!)

 

[biodoc]

Originally posted by: Insidious

Originally posted by: biodoc
jeez...I hope all of these issues get resolved before our annual FAH X-mas race.

Anyone up for the race this year?

There's a lot of hot rod GPU guys that have passed me like I'm standing still!:shocked:

Great job guys!:beer::beer:

Maybe that's because you ARE standing still :shocked:

25 2,454 biodoc -2 0 0 0 0 1,364,746 2,316

When is the last time you put in a work unit anyway?

-Sid

(you know I'm up for some good holiday racing!)

Yeah, I moved my 8800GT to PS3GRID about a week or two ago. There's just 2 of us: idlorj and I holding the fort for the TeAm.

I'ts the only project that uses boinc with nvidia graphics cards. There are other projects interested in using GPUs with boinc too but at this point, it's an "alpha" experience.

Oh, BTW, native for linux and windows.

 

[Insidious]

Well you know me. I'm happy that you're crunching and cheering from the stands is one of my favorite pass-times.

It's good that other branches of DC are beginning to realize the new resources as they come into being. (PS3, GPU, etc..)

-Sid

 

[lightstar]

Originally posted by: Insidious
I think they have started automatic updates so you probably don't need to force it at this point, but if you do...

C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\application data\Folding@home-gpu

-Sid

thank you very much i'll update the files after work tonight. looking forward to that extra little boost to production


edit: looks like you were right- the GPU units had already automatically updated themselves to version 1.15 so no need for force update