ATI or Nvidia?

[crash525]

I have heard alot about Nvidia graphics cards and how much better they are at folding than ATI. Is it true? If so then what makes Nvidia faster than ATI, lately I had thought that ATI were faster at gaming, what makes the difference?

[7im]

AMD and NV are very well matched at both gaming and theoretical math performance. And testing has proven this out several times.

However, when the tires hit the pavement, theoretical and actual performance is often different.

At this time, and this could easily change tomorrow or next week, whenever, the NV hardware and software are a better fit to the demands of the F@h project. Current WU size is smaller, and lends an advantage to NV. But like all projects, WUs tend to increase in size over time.

Additionally, NV is leading AMD in developing software to support using a GPU for protein simulations to a higher capacity. Much of the power of AMD cards is currently unused.

As such NV cards fold much better than AMD cards at this time. But we are hoping that OpenCL and OpenMM software will uncork AMD card's performance in the near future.

If you're a gamer, buy what works best for you and your games of choice, and use that GPU to fold in the down times. If you are a folder first, at this time, people are recommending an NV card. The GTX 460 seems to be a good price/performance/power usage intersection. At 800 MHz, a mild overclock, it produces slightly over 10K PPD.

[crash525]

thanks for the information. wow 10k ppd, thats alot. my ati 5770 gets 1000 ppd. i might have to look into an nvidia.

[kiore]

thanks for the information. wow 10k ppd, thats alot. my ati 5770 gets 1000 ppd. i might have to look into an nvidia.

Really? On 24hrs only 1kppd, that doesn't seem right.
Yes but even a GTX 275 can do 9-10kpp (gpu2), the GTX 460 looks like an excellent F@H card though as things currently stand.

[7im]

That ATI card, with environment variables should be doing several times higher that ammount in points.

[Zagen30]

1000 PPD is far too low for a 5770. I had a couple of 3850's that could at least manage 1400 PPD on average. Are you running other GPU-intensive tasks? You should also post the contents of FAHlog.txt so we can see if something's amiss.

[crash525]

ill have to look into it later, im setting up a new computer right now ill post the log a bit later. so after seeing that 1000ppd for my card is low ill look into why its that why. but thanks for the info everyone.

[jrweiss]

Are you buying your video card specifically for Folding or primarily for other stuff? If the latter, what is that other stuff?

While it may be nice to have a powerful gfx card that generates many PPD, that comes at the cost of electricity use and heat. If you are primarily using your gfx card for Photoshop Elements and web surfing, a low-end ATI card will do just fine and consume a lot less power. I'm still running a 3850 and a 4670. They don't require additional power plugs because they top out at less than 75 watts.

OTOH, if you're a hard-core gamer that "needs" all that power, then go for it, and share the wealth with F@H!

[crash525]

well i am a gamer but i only game at night time so during the day id figure i would put my computer to good use. Question, does my info on my computer show up at the bottom of each of my logs? Im not sure if it will show up if i log on or not. But either ati or nvidia is fine by me it just seemed like my card wasnt getting the points it should be. I also usually run it when i sleep to but only the gfx card not the cpu. Heres a log of my gpu files.

Code: Select all

--- Opening Log file [July 27 05:08:07 UTC] 


# Windows GPU Systray Edition #################################################
###############################################################################

                       Folding@Home Client Version 6.30r2

                          http://folding.stanford.edu

###############################################################################
###############################################################################

Launch directory: C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu


[05:08:07] - Ask before connecting: No
[05:08:07] - User name: crash525 (Team 51394)
[05:08:07] - User ID: 510380CB4B4EC636
[05:08:07] - Machine ID: 2
[05:08:07] 
[05:08:07] Gpu type=1 species=4.
[05:08:08] Loaded queue successfully.
[05:08:08] Initialization complete
[05:08:08] 
[05:08:08] + Processing work unit
[05:08:08] Core required: FahCore_11.exe
[05:08:08] Core found.
[05:08:08] Working on queue slot 04 [July 27 05:08:08 UTC]
[05:08:08] + Working ...
[05:08:08] 
[05:08:08] *------------------------------*
[05:08:08] Folding@Home GPU Core - Beta
[05:08:08] Version 1.24 (Mon Feb 9 11:00:12 PST 2009)
[05:08:08] 
[05:08:08] Compiler  : Microsoft (R) 32-bit C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 14.00.50727.762 for 80x86 
[05:08:08] Build host: amoeba
[05:08:08] Board Type: AMD
[05:08:08] Core      : 
[05:08:08] Preparing to commence simulation
[05:08:08] - Ensuring status. Please wait.
[05:08:18] - Looking at optimizations...
[05:08:18] - Working with standard loops on this execution.
[05:08:18] - Previous termination of core was improper.
[05:08:18] - Files status OK
[05:08:18] - Expanded 96742 -> 489152 (decompressed 505.6 percent)
[05:08:18] Called DecompressByteArray: compressed_data_size=96742 data_size=489152, decompressed_data_size=489152 diff=0
[05:08:18] - Digital signature verified
[05:08:18] 
[05:08:18] Project: 5739 (Run 1, Clone 502, Gen 25)
[05:08:18] 
[05:08:18] Entering M.D.
[05:08:23] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[05:08:25] Will resume from checkpoint file
[05:08:25] Tpr hash work/wudata_04.tpr:  945871482 4270834818 1686049538 1339521573 2881680584
[05:08:26] Working on Protein
[05:08:26] Client config found, loading data.
[05:08:26] Starting GUI Server
[05:08:29] Resuming from checkpoint
[05:08:29] fcCheckPointResume: retreived and current tpr file hash:
[05:08:29]    0    945871482    945871482
[05:08:29]    1   4270834818   4270834818
[05:08:29]    2   1686049538   1686049538
[05:08:29]    3   1339521573   1339521573
[05:08:29]    4   2881680584   2881680584
[05:08:29] Verified work/wudata_04.log
[05:08:29] Verified work/wudata_04.edr
[05:08:30] Verified work/wudata_04.xtc
[05:08:30] Completed 18%
[05:11:22] Completed 19%
[05:14:15] Completed 20%
[05:17:08] Completed 21%
[05:20:01] Completed 22%
[05:22:54] Completed 23%
[05:25:46] Completed 24%
[05:28:39] Completed 25%
[05:31:32] Completed 26%
[05:34:24] Completed 27%
[05:37:17] Completed 28%
[05:40:09] Completed 29%
[05:43:02] Completed 30%
[05:45:55] Completed 31%
[05:48:47] Completed 32%
[05:51:40] Completed 33%
[05:54:33] Completed 34%
[05:57:25] Completed 35%
[06:00:18] Completed 36%
[06:03:11] Completed 37%
[06:05:20] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[06:06:04] Completed 38%
[06:08:57] Completed 39%
[06:11:50] Completed 40%
[06:14:44] Completed 41%
[06:17:36] Completed 42%
[06:21:19] Completed 43%
[06:24:20] Completed 44%
[06:27:22] Completed 45%
[06:30:27] Completed 46%
[06:33:34] Completed 47%
[06:36:39] Completed 48%
[06:39:52] Completed 49%
[06:42:54] Completed 50%
[06:45:55] Completed 51%
[06:48:57] Completed 52%
[06:52:00] Completed 53%
[06:55:02] Completed 54%
[06:58:04] Completed 55%
[07:01:07] Completed 56%
[07:04:11] Completed 57%
[07:07:14] Completed 58%
[07:10:17] Completed 59%
[07:13:17] Completed 60%
[07:16:53] Completed 61%
[07:19:54] Completed 62%
[07:22:56] Completed 63%
[07:25:59] Completed 64%
[07:28:53] Completed 65%
[07:29:49] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[07:31:55] Completed 66%
[07:34:48] Completed 67%
[07:37:41] Completed 68%
[07:40:35] Completed 69%
[07:43:28] Completed 70%
[07:46:21] Completed 71%
[07:49:15] Completed 72%
[07:49:39] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[07:52:11] Completed 73%
[07:55:06] Completed 74%
[07:58:00] Completed 75%
[08:00:53] Completed 76%


--- Opening Log file [July 27 08:08:21 UTC] 


# Windows GPU Systray Edition #################################################
###############################################################################

                       Folding@Home Client Version 6.30r2

                          http://folding.stanford.edu

###############################################################################
###############################################################################

Launch directory: C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu


[08:08:21] - Ask before connecting: No
[08:08:21] - User name: crash525 (Team 51394)
[08:08:21] - User ID: 510380CB4B4EC636
[08:08:21] - Machine ID: 2
[08:08:21] 
[08:08:21] Gpu type=1 species=4.
[08:08:21] Loaded queue successfully.
[08:08:21] Initialization complete
[08:08:21] 
[08:08:21] + Processing work unit
[08:08:21] Core required: FahCore_11.exe
[08:08:21] Core found.
[08:08:21] Working on queue slot 04 [July 27 08:08:21 UTC]
[08:08:21] + Working ...
[08:08:21] 
[08:08:21] *------------------------------*
[08:08:21] Folding@Home GPU Core - Beta
[08:08:21] Version 1.24 (Mon Feb 9 11:00:12 PST 2009)
[08:08:21] 
[08:08:21] Compiler  : Microsoft (R) 32-bit C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 14.00.50727.762 for 80x86 
[08:08:21] Build host: amoeba
[08:08:21] Board Type: AMD
[08:08:21] Core      : 
[08:08:21] Preparing to commence simulation
[08:08:21] - Ensuring status. Please wait.
[08:08:25] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[08:08:31] - Looking at optimizations...
[08:08:31] - Working with standard loops on this execution.
[08:08:31] - Previous termination of core was improper.
[08:08:31] - Going to use standard loops.
[08:08:31] - Files status OK
[08:08:31] - Expanded 96742 -> 489152 (decompressed 505.6 percent)
[08:08:31] Called DecompressByteArray: compressed_data_size=96742 data_size=489152, decompressed_data_size=489152 diff=0
[08:08:31] - Digital signature verified
[08:08:31] 
[08:08:31] Project: 5739 (Run 1, Clone 502, Gen 25)
[08:08:31] 
[08:08:31] Entering M.D.
[08:08:37] Will resume from checkpoint file
[08:08:37] Tpr hash work/wudata_04.tpr:  945871482 4270834818 1686049538 1339521573 2881680584
[08:08:38] Working on Protein
[08:08:38] Client config found, loading data.
[08:08:38] Starting GUI Server
[08:08:41] Resuming from checkpoint
[08:08:41] fcCheckPointResume: retreived and current tpr file hash:
[08:08:41]    0    945871482    945871482
[08:08:41]    1   4270834818   4270834818
[08:08:41]    2   1686049538   1686049538
[08:08:41]    3   1339521573   1339521573
[08:08:41]    4   2881680584   2881680584
[08:08:41] Verified work/wudata_04.log
[08:08:41] Verified work/wudata_04.edr
[08:08:41] Verified work/wudata_04.xtc
[08:08:41] Completed 76%
[08:09:55] + Paused
[08:10:03] + Working ...
[08:10:03] Suspending work thread...
[08:10:03] Resuming work thread...
[08:11:44] Completed 77%
[08:13:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:14:38] Completed 78%
[08:16:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:17:32] Completed 79%
[08:18:54] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[08:19:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:20:26] Completed 80%
[08:22:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:23:20] Completed 81%
[08:25:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:26:14] Completed 82%
[08:28:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:29:08] Completed 83%
[08:30:31] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[08:31:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:32:49] Completed 84%
[08:34:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:37:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:38:38] Completed 85%
[08:40:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:43:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:44:26] Completed 86%
[08:46:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:49:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:50:15] Completed 87%
[08:52:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:55:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:56:04] Completed 88%
[08:58:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[09:01:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[09:01:52] Completed 89%
[09:04:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[09:07:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[09:07:15] Completed 90%
[09:10:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[09:11:09] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[09:11:45] Completed 91%
[09:11:49] + Paused


--- Opening Log file [July 27 17:48:07 UTC] 


# Windows GPU Systray Edition #################################################
###############################################################################

                       Folding@Home Client Version 6.30r2

                          http://folding.stanford.edu

###############################################################################
###############################################################################

Launch directory: C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu


[17:48:07] - Ask before connecting: No
[17:48:07] - User name: crash525 (Team 51394)
[17:48:07] - User ID: 510380CB4B4EC636
[17:48:07] - Machine ID: 2
[17:48:07] 
[17:48:07] Gpu type=1 species=4.
[17:48:07] Loaded queue successfully.
[17:48:07] Initialization complete
[17:48:07] 
[17:48:07] + Processing work unit
[17:48:07] Core required: FahCore_11.exe
[17:48:07] Core found.
[17:48:07] Working on queue slot 04 [July 27 17:48:07 UTC]
[17:48:07] + Working ...
[17:48:07] 
[17:48:07] *------------------------------*
[17:48:07] Folding@Home GPU Core - Beta
[17:48:07] Version 1.24 (Mon Feb 9 11:00:12 PST 2009)
[17:48:07] 
[17:48:07] Compiler  : Microsoft (R) 32-bit C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 14.00.50727.762 for 80x86 
[17:48:07] Build host: amoeba
[17:48:07] Board Type: AMD
[17:48:07] Core      : 
[17:48:07] Preparing to commence simulation
[17:48:07] - Ensuring status. Please wait.
[17:48:10] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[17:48:17] - Looking at optimizations...
[17:48:17] - Working with standard loops on this execution.
[17:48:17] - Previous termination of core was improper.
[17:48:17] - Going to use standard loops.
[17:48:17] - Files status OK
[17:48:17] - Expanded 96742 -> 489152 (decompressed 505.6 percent)
[17:48:17] Called DecompressByteArray: compressed_data_size=96742 data_size=489152, decompressed_data_size=489152 diff=0
[17:48:17] - Digital signature verified
[17:48:17] 
[17:48:17] Project: 5739 (Run 1, Clone 502, Gen 25)
[17:48:17] 
[17:48:17] Entering M.D.
[17:48:23] Will resume from checkpoint file
[17:48:23] Tpr hash work/wudata_04.tpr:  945871482 4270834818 1686049538 1339521573 2881680584
[17:48:24] Working on Protein
[17:48:24] Client config found, loading data.
[17:48:24] Starting GUI Server
[17:48:27] Resuming from checkpoint
[17:48:27] fcCheckPointResume: retreived and current tpr file hash:
[17:48:27]    0    945871482    945871482
[17:48:27]    1   4270834818   4270834818
[17:48:27]    2   1686049538   1686049538
[17:48:27]    3   1339521573   1339521573
[17:48:27]    4   2881680584   2881680584
[17:48:27] Verified work/wudata_04.log
[17:48:27] Verified work/wudata_04.edr
[17:48:27] Verified work/wudata_04.xtc
[17:48:27] Completed 91%
[17:51:21] Completed 92%
[17:54:16] Completed 93%
[17:57:10] Completed 94%
[18:00:05] Completed 95%
[18:02:59] Completed 96%
[18:05:52] Completed 97%
[18:08:46] Completed 98%
[18:11:40] Completed 99%
[18:14:34] Completed 100%
[18:14:34] Successful run
[18:14:34] DynamicWrapper: Finished Work Unit: sleep=10000
[18:14:44] Reserved 222004 bytes for xtc file; Cosm status=0
[18:14:44] Allocated 222004 bytes for xtc file
[18:14:44] - Reading up to 222004 from "work/wudata_04.xtc": Read 222004
[18:14:44] Read 222004 bytes from xtc file; available packet space=786208460
[18:14:44] xtc file hash check passed.
[18:14:44] Reserved 33528 33528 786208460 bytes for arc file=<work/wudata_04.trr> Cosm status=0
[18:14:44] Allocated 33528 bytes for arc file
[18:14:44] - Reading up to 33528 from "work/wudata_04.trr": Read 33528
[18:14:44] Read 33528 bytes from arc file; available packet space=786174932
[18:14:44] trr file hash check passed.
[18:14:44] Allocated 560 bytes for edr file
[18:14:44] Read bedfile
[18:14:44] edr file hash check passed.
[18:14:44] Allocated 41121 bytes for logfile
[18:14:44] Read logfile
[18:14:44] GuardedRun: success in DynamicWrapper
[18:14:44] GuardedRun: done
[18:14:44] Run: GuardedRun completed.
[18:14:48] - Writing 297725 bytes of core data to disk...
[18:14:48] Done: 297213 -> 264819 (compressed to 89.1 percent)
[18:14:48]   ... Done.
[18:14:48] - Shutting down core 
[18:14:48] 
[18:14:48] Folding@home Core Shutdown: FINISHED_UNIT
[18:14:51] CoreStatus = 64 (100)
[18:14:51] Sending work to server
[18:14:51] Project: 5739 (Run 1, Clone 502, Gen 25)


[18:14:51] + Attempting to send results [July 27 18:14:51 UTC]
[18:14:51] Gpu type=1 species=4.
[18:14:52] + Results successfully sent
[18:14:52] Thank you for your contribution to Folding@Home.
[18:14:52] + Number of Units Completed: 14

[18:14:56] + Closed connections
[18:14:56] + Paused after finishing unit


--- Opening Log file [July 28 03:14:41 UTC] 


# Windows GPU Systray Edition #################################################
###############################################################################

                       Folding@Home Client Version 6.30r2

                          http://folding.stanford.edu

###############################################################################
###############################################################################

Launch directory: C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu


[03:14:41] - Ask before connecting: No
[03:14:41] - User name: crash525 (Team 51394)
[03:14:41] - User ID: 510380CB4B4EC636
[03:14:41] - Machine ID: 2
[03:14:41] 
[03:14:41] Gpu type=1 species=4.
[03:14:41] Loaded queue successfully.
[03:14:42] Initialization complete
[03:14:42] - Preparing to get new work unit...
[03:14:42] Cleaning up work directory
[03:14:42] + Attempting to get work packet
[03:14:42] Gpu type=1 species=4.
[03:14:42] - Connecting to assignment server
[03:14:42] - Successful: assigned to (171.64.65.102).
[03:14:42] + News From Folding@Home: Welcome to Folding@Home
[03:14:42] Loaded queue successfully.
[03:14:42] Gpu type=1 species=4.
[03:14:43] + Closed connections
[03:14:43] 
[03:14:43] + Processing work unit
[03:14:43] Core required: FahCore_11.exe
[03:14:43] Core found.
[03:14:43] Working on queue slot 05 [July 28 03:14:43 UTC]
[03:14:43] + Working ...
[03:14:44] 
[03:14:44] *------------------------------*
[03:14:44] Folding@Home GPU Core - Beta
[03:14:44] Version 1.24 (Mon Feb 9 11:00:12 PST 2009)
[03:14:44] 
[03:14:44] Compiler  : Microsoft (R) 32-bit C/C++ Optimizing Compiler Version 14.00.50727.762 for 80x86 
[03:14:44] Build host: amoeba
[03:14:44] Board Type: AMD
[03:14:44] Core      : 
[03:14:44] Preparing to commence simulation
[03:14:44] - Looking at optimizations...
[03:14:44] - Created dyn
[03:14:44] - Files status OK
[03:14:44] - Expanded 98657 -> 492188 (decompressed 498.8 percent)
[03:14:44] Called DecompressByteArray: compressed_data_size=98657 data_size=492188, decompressed_data_size=492188 diff=0
[03:14:44] - Digital signature verified
[03:14:44] 
[03:14:44] Project: 5735 (Run 1, Clone 283, Gen 3)
[03:14:44] 
[03:14:44] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[03:14:44] Entering M.D.
[03:14:44] Gpu type=1 species=4.
[03:14:50] Tpr hash work/wudata_05.tpr:  451994428 3136961381 2989778235 586145766 349765480
[03:14:50] Working on Protein
[03:14:50] Client config found, loading data.
[03:14:50] Starting GUI Server
[03:15:28] Opening C:\Users\Crash\AppData\Roaming\Folding@home-gpu\MyFolding.html...
[03:16:14] Gpu type=1 species=4.
[03:18:03] Completed 1%
[03:20:57] Completed 2%

let me know if something i can change to get it to get more ppds. thanks.

[bruce]

Question, does my info on my computer show up at the bottom of each of my logs?

In general, no.

Some of the components of the FAH software do detect your hardware and display that information in the log. Others do not.

When somebody asks for help we often have to ask for more detailed system information. There's a place on your forum profile where you can enter than information if you so choose. See UserControlPanel + Profile + Hardware configuration. We generally look there and if it contains an accurate description, it sometimes avoids extra steps (asking extra questions before suggesting an answer to a request for help).

[crash525]

sorry for the confusion. i meant at the bottom of these posts. how do you get it to do that. because it would be alot easier to have that displayed than to type it in or look it up. but does everything look right for the gpu settings in the log file i posted recently?

[PantherX]

At the bottom of every post:
User Control Panel -> Profile tab -> Edit Signature (there is a limit of 255 Characters)
However, if you would like to provide detailed information then it might exceed 255 Characters so you can then post the information in the Hardware Configuration as bruce has described.

[kiore]

sorry for the confusion. i meant at the bottom of these posts. how do you get it to do that. because it would be alot easier to have that displayed than to type it in or look it up. but does everything look right for the gpu settings in the log file i posted recently?

Well it looks considerably faster than 1kppd but maybe you are not running 24/7 and maybe you are not pausing while gaming or doing other gpu intensive stuff.
This looks weird on one of them though:

[08:20:26] Completed 80%
[08:22:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:23:20] Completed 81%
[08:25:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:26:14] Completed 82%
[08:28:03] Timer requesting checkpoint
[08:29:08] Completed 83%

Checkpoints at just a couple of minutes? Every 15minutes is plenty this will be slowing you down unnecessarily .

[GeneralRavel]

Seems you are capable of much more than 1,000 a day. Just the other day you hit 2,399

How many hours a day do you let it Fold? And are you gaming during any of that time?

[crash525]

i would say that the gpu runs for about 13 to 15 hours a day. but lately i have been letting the cpu smp only run. i dont do anything while the computer folds other than check my email.