CPU is getting hammered but not the GPU?

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Barrold
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:39 pm
Hardware configuration: OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K
RAM: 32GB DDR4
GPU: GTX 1060

CPU is getting hammered but not the GPU?

Post by Barrold »

Hi folks,
I've just started folding and if I set it to 'medium' the CPU gets hammered and I get warning that it's at 98% usage which isn't ideal as I don't want to fry it.
If I set it to 'light' then it'll barely hit 40% CPU usage and won't touch the GPU?

Is there not a way of stopping the folding program from using more than 80% CPU usage whilst giving it more GPU juice?

My system stats:
CPU: i7 8700k (coffee lake)
Ram: 32GB DDR4
Graphics: GTX 1060

I want to help but not at the expense of my CPU

Many thanks
ericinthewoods
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:57 pm

Re: CPU is getting hammered but not the GPU?

Post by ericinthewoods »

I am also a beginner with this: On mine, when I hit medium, it only allows 5 threads to be used. What temperature are you reaching on your i7? The danger isn't the wattage through it, but the temperatures it reaches. If you haven't done anything to disrupt the controls, the chip will meter itself when it gets too hot. Also, you can set the power limits of your CPU without going through the BIOS by using the Intel XTU app. It's free and resource skinny. However, if the temps are ok, that intel i7 should be able to handle using it's full load.

Also also, to answer your actual question: in the file folder you downloaded is the desktop app titled, "FAH Control." Open it. In configure > Slot > CPU > Edit, you can assign the number of threads to use. "-1" allows the app to decide how many threads. If you set it to 5, then ~ half of what your CPU can do will be used.
Last edited by ericinthewoods on Tue Mar 17, 2020 8:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Barrold
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:39 pm
Hardware configuration: OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K
RAM: 32GB DDR4
GPU: GTX 1060

Re: CPU is getting hammered but not the GPU?

Post by Barrold »

aaahh thanks for this.
Set my CPU to 5 cores as suggested and then set the power to medium and the GPU has now kicked into life.
The GPU load is 99% with a steady temp of 68. Will this be ok?
The CPU is now on a nice 45-48% load with a temp of 65-68 :D

I only use this rig for graphic design and have no idea what loads are safe lol

Thanks for the help so far
JimboPalmer
Posts: 2522
Joined: Mon Feb 16, 2009 4:12 am
Location: Greenwood MS USA

Re: CPU is getting hammered but not the GPU?

Post by JimboPalmer »

90C is safe, 100C isn't.
But I admit I like 80C better
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ericinthewoods
Posts: 3
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2020 1:57 pm

Re: CPU is getting hammered but not the GPU?

Post by ericinthewoods »

Agree with the above. 80C is my "wonder what's wrong with my GPU cooler" temperature. Usually, I'm in the range you are at right now. If you still have the stock cooler on your CPU, you cannot get out of it what you paid for. I recommend a 180-220TDP air cooler or 240mm liquid cooler; make sure they fit into your case before purchasing.
Barrold
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:39 pm
Hardware configuration: OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K
RAM: 32GB DDR4
GPU: GTX 1060

Re: CPU is getting hammered but not the GPU?

Post by Barrold »

I'm not worries about CPU/GPU temps as they're fine. It's the loads I'm worried about.

I've a kraken on the cpu
bruce
Posts: 20824
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:13 pm
Location: So. Cal.

Re: CPU is getting hammered but not the GPU?

Post by bruce »

Barrold wrote:I'm not worries about CPU/GPU temps as they're fine. It's the loads I'm worried about.
A loaded system gets hot. An unloaded system does not. Are you saying that you're worried that Folding is loading your computer? That's what it's supposed to do. The heat generated shows it's working.
Barrold
Posts: 4
Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2020 4:39 pm
Hardware configuration: OS: Windows 10
CPU: Intel Core i7-8700K
RAM: 32GB DDR4
GPU: GTX 1060

Re: CPU is getting hammered but not the GPU?

Post by Barrold »

bruce wrote:
Barrold wrote:I'm not worries about CPU/GPU temps as they're fine. It's the loads I'm worried about.
A loaded system gets hot. An unloaded system does not. Are you saying that you're worried that Folding is loading your computer? That's what it's supposed to do. The heat generated shows it's working.
Thanks for the reply but you have misread/mistaken what I was saying.
I said the loads were high not the temperature. The temps were all fine but I was worried about the warnings I was receiving when the loads hit 98%.

Either way, it's all sorted now and I appreciate everyone's feedback.

Cheers all
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