F@H question

[thomsbrain]

I just starting running Folding@Home (ran SETI for years back in the day, but haven't run anything in a while). Their website is a bit obtuse, so I have some questions.

I'm confused about all the different clients for CPU and GPU. Is it possible to run both at the same time on the same computer? Will that yield better overall productivity than just one or the other? Or, another way of asking the same question might be: what is the CPU utilization when running the GPU client?

Also, it isn't super clear which graphics cards are supported by the GPU client. I have a laptop with an ATI 9600 with 128 MB of dedicated memory. Can I even run the GPU client?

I also don't understand how the SMP client is different. My lappy runs a standard desktop P4 3.2 GHz HT. Will the SMP client be any faster for my processor? Is it really that unstable?

Thanks in advance, F@H experts.

 

[Markfw]

Yes, you can run any combination, just be sure the machineid is different for every client. the GPU client is by far the best PPD. For a 8800 GT @ 700, its ~5600 or so. For an SMD unit on a 3.3 or better C2D or C2Q, its more like 2k. I run 2 video cards in many of my boxes, and one smp client. That way one machine is over 11k ppd !

 

[Cutthroat]

You won't be able to use the SMP client because you only have a P4, you need at least a good dual core or preferably a quad to run the SMP client. You could run the normal client, but don't expect too many points from your P4, only a couple hundred points/day. Unfortunately, I don't think the ATI 9600 is supported either, I don't think you can run a GPU client at all.

 

[thomsbrain]

blast!

 

[thomsbrain]

I do seem to be getting in the neighborhood of 1500 points in a day on the CPU, so that's not so bad.

 

[Insidious]

That's pretty good for the Ol' P4

Keep up the good work!

:beer:

What client(s) are you running to get that much?

 

[thomsbrain]

I'm just running the regular system tray client. I don't use Hyperthreading on the P4 because my old Pro Tools recording package can't utilize it and runs much faster without it. So I'm only running one instance of F@H. I've done 2500 points now and I'd estimate total uptime is roughly 24 hours (still been putting it to sleep when not in use). Not bad for a laptop, I guess.

I can confirm that the GPU client would not run on my video adapter. Too old, I guess.