SETI on a laptop?

[saabcaptain]

I am currently crunching on a desktop P4 2.4 which is averaging (when not running anything else) 2.7 hr per WU (and about 3.5 hr per unit when I am using the machine) for the team.

I have a centrino laptop using a Pentium-M 1.6 processor which according to most stats I see will be FASTER than my desktop P4 2.4 for SETI@Home. My predictions call for the potential of 2.5 hr per WU on this laptop! I am somewhat concerned about the effects of using 100% of the CPU at all times on a laptop, with heat being the primary concern. Has anyone used CLI SETI@Home on a laptop, and what difference in CPU temperature and system temperature can I expect if I install it on my machine? I have a 4 year warranty on this baby but I hate to shorten lifespan on these modern (and hot) laptops.

Thanks...

Dave

 

[Overkiller]

As you stated in your post the problem *IS* heat & some have found out that laptop fans are of notoriously poor quality. Running it 24/7 might not cause you problems for years or it might lead to a dead fan in 5 months. I am sure some resident experts could give you a clearer understanding of the situation but I believe it really is a YMMV (your mileage may vary) like with ANYTHING computer related.

Is there any way you can run seti for 20 minutes on it and then check its temperature (i.e. throgh bios + feeling the case over the cpu)?

Welcome to the Team!

 

[Ionizer86]

Hi saabcaptain!

It's a P-M so if all goes well, heat output should be low and WU output should be awesome!

 

[Engineer]

I run it on a Pentium-M 1.5, Pentium-M 1.3 and a Pentium4 2.4GHz. The Pentium 4 chassis runs cooler than the other 2, but the fan runs all the time. The two pentium-M's have a warm to the touch keyboard, but their fan only kicks on about every minute or two...and then only for 10 seconds. Of course, it's up to you. You might try it and see how it goes. If the laptop fan runs all the time or the unit gets hot, turn it off.

 

[Thoreau]

If your laptop is anything like the Dell Inspiron 8100, you might be able to download a utility to manually control the fans on the laptop. Mine has two fans in the back and lets me control them right down to a custom RPM speed.

 

[compudog]

I have been running S@H on my Dell PIIIm 1.0 24/7 for months. I have it raised off the desktop with some soda bottle caps to allow more airflow under the unit. No issues at all with CPU utilization at 100%. The fan cycles on and off, but I don't notice it unless I am specifically paying attention to it. Go cautiously as YMMV..

 

[conjur]

<--- has had S@H on a Dell Inspiron 8100 for 2 years+. It's been 24/7 except for powered-off times on long trips.