Folding Forum

This is getting pretty complicated, but the safe thing is just to run 1 client, the Main CPU one. From what I gather you may not be able to run another without them fighting over resources. And that would not be helpful to Folding@home. So, just run the one. We do appreciate your contributions, and sorry if things get technical. Thank you, and have a good day.

k, *waits until i can get lots of computers*

Lots is not always the best thing for the project, though obviously all donations are welcome. The points scheme may not be perfect, but it represents the relative scientific contribution one is making. One high-powered computer may be worth more to the project than many weak ones; a single i7 (a very new CPU) that can earn 20,000 Points Per Day (PPD) is worth a lot more than a number of Pentium 4's each earning around 110 PPD. Lots also may not be very efficient; as computer technology has improved, we can do a lot more calculations/second while using the same amount of power. Setting up a farm of Pentium 4's will be very inefficient power-wise compared to that one i7; an i7 and a P4 will use around 120 W or so, but to earn equal PPD you'd need hundreds of P4's sucking up thousands of watts.

If and when you get bitten by the folding bug and want to contribute more, it's better to maximize the PPD or PPD/W of your purchase rather than sheer number of boxes. While there are tons of old computers that can be purchased on the cheap, the return you get on that investment is usually pretty poor.

EDIT

JesseV's post made me realize the above is a rather dramatic example. 3 new high-end computers is preferable to 1 new high-end computer. It's older hardware where numbers aren't preferable. And in the end it does come down to what you have what you're willing to spend, and how much energy you're willing to use.

Getting lots of computers is still good. Zagen30 is right, and if you get lots of computers I hope they're newer ones that are more efficient and more productive. The folding bug is contagious, and some of us get all zombified or something and feel an urgent need to infect others. But we recognize that its better to get a few modern systems than lots of lower-end machines. So basically what Zagen30 said. Best of luck in your search, and lets see lots more points on your username!

but the thing is, it'll take forever to get computers T-T
i'm not rich XD