TA F@H top 100

[leconc]

While all contributions to the program help, no matter what speed computer you have, I have some questions for the top producers in F@H. Other teams can answer also. While new to the program, I expect to be in TA top 300 by month end and near the top 100 by year end. Running this kind of processing power, even little improvements can make a big difference in the long run. Also dedicated computers allows options that others may not have. Other than the top 100 may very well have ideas also, I just chose that title because I figured to get in that group there would be a lot of dedicated machines, no disrespect to anyone , really. So, w/o giving away any trade secrets, what makes machines run F@H quickest? Any optimal settings for dedicated machines? I asked this question before and was looking for a non-technical explanation, now you can lay it on me as I run the program now. Also, when are the stats updated? I'm trying to get some avg's for my machines.

 

[ProviaFan]

I don't think anyone really has any "trade secrets" here that they wouldn't want to share. If you're on the TeAm, we would be glad to help you in whatever way we can, to maximize the crunching potential of your systems.

With that said, lately (the past year) I've been pretty much a set-it-and-forget-it type as far as running F@H. However, I'm sure many of the others who have more of a mind for tweaking will be glad to chip in and offer some suggestions.

 

[sparkyclarky]

Just use as many machines as you have, overclock the hell out of them if possible, run the non-screensaver form of the client, and leave your rigs on 24/7
Furthermore, commandeer (spelling?) as many rigs as you can from others (with their permission of course)....

 

[leconc]

Non-screensaver form? I downloaded the XP 5.02 graphical client. Is that the quickest? I have a little red thing in my sys tray that is always running.

 

[ProviaFan]

Originally posted by: leconc
Non-screensaver form? I downloaded the XP 5.02 graphical client. Is that the quickest? I have a little red thing in my sys tray that is always running.

That's what you want. While it does have pretty graphics that can be made visible on demand, I suggest not looking at those too much (in other words, don't leave them open all the time, but a few minutes every now and then throughout the day isn't going to hurt much). The GUI client is within a percentage point or two of the CLI in performance when the graphics are not displayed.

However, in the interest of getting maximum production, there are a few tips to start off:

• If you have a Windows NT-based OS, and sometimes leave your system sitting at the login screen, you will get better production from installing the F@H V5 CLI as a service. This makes the client totally invisible, so you'll need something like F@H LogStats to keep track of the client's status (F@H LogStats can also monitor networked clients, if said clients have the F@H folder shared - preferrably read-only for better security). Edit: to clarify, the GUI or CLI installed normally will only run when you're logged in, while the CLI installed as an NT Service will run even while your system is at the login screen.
• Also, disable any screensaver you might be using (just set it to "none") and instead protect your monitor by going into the power management properties and having it turn off after 20 minutes (or whatever is convenient for you). While you're in there, make sure your hard disks are set not to turn off, and that your system is set not to go into standby or hibernation.

I'll post more later if I think of any more.

 

[GLeeM]

Hey leconc
If you have any computers with HyperThreading (newer P4 or Xeon) you can run one GUI and one console or two consoles. When I did a times check on several WUs, I got 11% to 31% increase in points per day (depending on WU) by running two instances

 

[Zuke]

By no means am I the authority on this subject, but here's what I have done.

In my herd, I have 21 1.6ghz P4's w/ 256mb which run Win2000. On these machines I have F@H running as a service using the version 3.0 of the command line client. The client runs as a service so no user sees that it's running. I set 'em up about a year and a half ago and basically don't do anything to these machines. They're on pretty much 24/7. Someday I'll re-image these machines as part of normal computer lab cleanup/maintenance, but until then I have no intention of touching them.

I have 2 machines here at home that I have put the version 5 client on. One runs as a service, one doesn't. *shrug* The service install in the latest client is a welcome feature as it was somewhat of a hassle to install as a service with previous versions.

I have a few other various machines at work that have the same setup as the 21 1.6ghz P4's I already mentioned. They are also still running the version 3 command line client which is installed as a service.

Basically the client just handles downloading and uploading work units and communicating with the servers. The software that actually does the data processing gets downloaded as needed from Stanford. If you need a new processing core, it will get automatically downloaded. Thus, if you're running any machines with older clients and they work fine, there really isn't any reason to upgrade.

I run Folding @Home Logstats maybe once every other week at work to look at the various machines in my herd. To be honest I really don't know why I even do this except to occasionally see the pretty stats. I don't think I've ever run into a situation where the program got "stuck" or had any problems that it didn't take care of on its own. I really don't pay any attention to what proteins are being worked on either - although I know some people do. I'm a set it and forget it guy.

I do watch the stats here on Anandtech and Extreme Overclocking though.

As you might have guessed, there really isn't any "secret" just accumulate as many gigahertz of processing power as you can.

 

[MDE]

I just set and forget, but I do run the CLI client as a service on all of my machines.

 

[lobadobadingdong]

I was posting this for a little while, it really boosted my numbers quite a bit on the machines I did it on.

Thanks Hyperfocal,

TeAm F@H don't forget if you have plenty of memory (512MB for most users, or 256MB for dedicated crunchers/occasional websurfers) you can get a 50% bonus on the larger WU's.

see here for details on the extra production boost.

 

[osage]

use the latest console version
if they are dedicated rigs set them to accept large WUs and use the -advmethods flag
run them 24/7 monitor them with FAH Stats and let them run....

 

[lobadobadingdong]

Originally posted by: osage

use the latest console version
if they are dedicated rigs set them to accept large WUs and use the -advmethods flag
run them 24/7 monitor them with FAH Stats and let them run....

LOL, click on the link I posted above, it also says how to do that.