New user with V7 questions

[kneedragger]

I'm looking for the best configuration that won't tax my computer too much while leaving on. My current setup is
cpu - AMD Phenom II X4 925 Deneb 2.8GHz
mobo - GIGABYTE GA-M68MT-S2P ( has built in Nvidia GeForce 7025/Nforce 630a)
gpu - ATI 6770

I have set it up initially with one uni then started reading the forums and added 3 more. I don't know what I did, but now the progress bar isn't moving at all. When I first started the app it got to 10% percent so I know initially it worked.

Questions

Can I have 4 cores work on the same project, but not exceed a certain cpu %?
Can I use the mobo GPU and not the ATI for folding?

Thanks

[bruce]

Welcome to foldingforum.org, kneedragger.

Since you plan to leave your computer on and folding 24x7, I recommend you finish the uniprocessor assignments that you have and then reconfigure for SMP. All four cores will work on the same project. This is much more valuable, scientifically speaking, than four uniprocessor clients, and it will earn more points.

The built in Nvidia GeForce 7025/Nforce 630a cannot be used for FAH. The GeForce 8000 Series is the oldest GPU that's supported and it's nearing its end-of-life.

[PantherX]

...Can I have 4 cores work on the same project, but not exceed a certain cpu %?...

The first part of your question is answered by bruce. The SMP Slot will work on a single WU (protein) using all the CPUs. For your second part of the question, is there a particular reason you want to fold using only X% of the CPU? Do note that the SMP Client will be using 100% of the CPU when the system is idle but when other applications need the CPU, it will easily back off and allow the application to function like normal since the SMP Slot folds on a low/idle priority. If you are continuously running an application that uses 25% or less of the CPU, then I would suggest that you run the SMP Slot with the CPU number set to 3. The reason is that the SMP will process the WU at the slowest thread speed.

[kneedragger]

...Can I have 4 cores work on the same project, but not exceed a certain cpu %?...

The first part of your question is answered by bruce. The SMP Slot will work on a single WU (protein) using all the CPUs. For your second part of the question, is there a particular reason you want to fold using only X% of the CPU? Do note that the SMP Client will be using 100% of the CPU when the system is idle but when other applications need the CPU, it will easily back off and allow the application to function like normal since the SMP Slot folds on a low/idle priority. If you are continuously running an application that uses 25% or less of the CPU, then I would suggest that you run the SMP Slot with the CPU number set to 3. The reason is that the SMP will process the WU at the slowest thread speed.

Well the only real reason I don't want my cpu at 100% when I'm not using the computer is because it is loud and creates a lot of heat in the room. I know the computer can handle it, but even at idle I notice a difference in heat in the room when the computer is on.