Brand New!!! And question about automatic GPU controls

[matt_foster]

Hello!

My name is Matt. I've been involved with distributed computing through the BOINC project (where I was 9th ranked for the test4theory application for quite a while.) I've decided to devote one of my computer's resources over to Folding as a new passion. I'll attach my computer's basic specs below. It was originally designed as a video graphic workstation, but times have changed.

My question is: Is it possible to have the GPU cluster activate and deactivate depending on computer usage. When it's running, the rest of the computer is highly degraded. This was not the case with BOINC which could run the GPUs with them being barely noticed except the heat. I don't want to go back to BOINC for this though. I'd like the GPUs running at maximum capacity for the maximum amount of time. Often I forget to turn them on or off in the client and so much potential is wasted.

Is there any way to automate this process for the GPUs? (NOTE: I've disabled the cpu slot as I need the computer's hexacore for local non-distributed computing (plus it was projecting out weeks for completion!!!))

Here is an outline of my computer

Codename:Osiris
Motherboard: ASUS Rampage III Formula x58 BIOS v. 0903
CPU: Intel Core i7-990X Hexacore 3.47GHz Gulftown
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-Bit SP1 v. 6.1.7601
Memory: 24 GB G.Skill DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800)
GPUs: Three 4-year old brilliantly running ATI Radeon 5770 1GB (Two GPUs chained together in ATI Crossfire)
Keyboard: Logitech K120 Black USB Wired Standard Keyboard
Mouse: Logitech Optical USB Black 3 Button/1 Wheel B100 Mouse
Network Adapter: Amped Wireless UA600 High Power Wireless 300N Adapter
System Drive: Samsung 830 Series 256GB MLC Internal Solid State Drive (mounted as C Drive)
Secondary Drive: Western Digital Black 2TB 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (mounted as D Drive)
Backup Drive: Western Digital Green 3TB 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive (mounted as U Drive)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100 Liquid CPU Cooler with two Noctua NF-F12 Fans
RAM Cooler: Corsair Triple Channel Airflow Memory Fan
Case Air Flow: Four Additional Noctua NF-F12 Fans
Power Supply: Corsair TX Series 750 Watts
Case: Cooler Master ATCS 840 Black Aluminum ATX Full Tower Case

Since it's original design it has been reconfigured for BOINC, and I am hoping to use it for FAH. I love physics, but I'd love to cure diseases as well!

As a dream that may slowly become a reality, I am working on building a 64-core quad AMD G34 processor computer with four GPU. This will be my most ambitious project ever so I want it perfect. So it's still in the design stage and I'm sure I'll ask for help!

Anyway sorry for rambling on like that. I hope you all can help me find a solution for auto-controlling the GPU.

Thank you!

Matt

[7im]

Please review the windows install guide on the folding @home website. Also the GPU slots can be set to run when idle.

[PantherX]

Welcome to the F@H Forum matt_foster,

Please note that for best performance from your AMD GPUs, make sure that you have the latest drivers installed. Moreover, since you have 2 GPUs, what you can do is set your primary GPU to fold while idle and your secondary GPU to fold 24/7 if that is what your intention is. The screen lag will disappear when your primary GPU isn't folding.

[matt_foster]

I hate to ask for more help on this, but I've gone through the install guide, including the Advanced sections and I'm not finding anything that refers to this. I could be looking in the wrong place, but at this point I have realize I need some help.

Following on PantherX's suggestion above I'd like to run GPU 1 and GPU 2 to run 100% of the time, while GPU 0 only runs when the computer is idle.

If someone could tell me how to do this, or point me directly to where I need to look on the Folding@Home website I'd really appreciate it.

PS I'm also in the process of building a 64 core/4 GPU system that will run exclusively as a Folding computer on the side.

Thank you so much for your help!

[matt_foster]

FYI What I've gone ahead and done is just deleted the GPU 0 slot and allowed GPU 1 and GPU 2 to run constantly. I'd still like to find away to set the GPU 0 slot to run when the computer is otherwise idle.

Thanks!

[bollix47]

I suspect your need will be addressed in a future version of the client ... see ticket 1060.

[PantherX]

It would be helpful if you posted the log file, especially the initial section, which contains the system configuration and F@H settings.

Assuming that you are running V7.3.6, it is possible to set GPU 0 to fold only when idle. Here is the method:
Step 1: Add a GPU Slot (this is for your GPU 0) but don't click save
Step 2: Select the new GPU Slot and click Edit
Step 3: Under the Extra slot Options, enter the following:
Name: idle
Value: true
Step 4: Click "OK" then "Save"
Step 5: Ensure that the Slider is set to Full

With the above set-up, your GPU 0 will only fold when the system is idle while your GPU 1 and GPU 2 will fold 24/7. Please note that are different triggers for the idle condition (http://folding.stanford.edu/home/faq/fa ... ion/#ntoc3).

Please note that what bollix47 pointed out may indicate that a future version might have a different method of achieving the same thing. Thus, configuration for V7.3.6 may not be the same for a future V7 release but you will still get the same result.

[matt_foster]

Thank you so much! It's working perfectly now!

[Longbowgun]

In v7.4.4 you can right click on the individual status of a core and select it (in advanced controls). It will have a check mark for idle.
I've run into a bug on this... it "un-idles" the wrong core. I use idle (as default) and when I unchecked the idle for one it started using the other card.
I'll submit a bug report.

[davidcoton]

This sounds like incorrect indices for the two (?) cards -- a known issue. Can you post your configuration? Was the second card added after FAH was installed? If so try re-installing, FAH stands a better chance of getting the indices correct this way (though it's not guaranteed). You may need to set the indices manually -- there's a post about it somewhere here, I don't have the link offhand.

[Longbowgun]

I added a GTX 650 recently to use as an additional folder (and dedicated PhysX card for gaming). If it's a known issue no need for a bug report.