Folding Forum

So the problem is that I'm folding on my netbook which has no problem completing the WU on time, but it only runs the cpu at about 50% even when nothing else is running. I have opened the Configure page for FAH and moved the slider up to maximum, but still don't get more than 50%. I'd really like to fold more, fold faster, and all that, but I can't get my computer to do it for me.

Is there some other way to trick FAH or the computer into using more power ex. by bumping up its priority in the Task Manager? Thanks

hi and welcome to the forum.

What are the specs on that netbook?

I'm guessing that the Atom in that netbook is a single-core with Hyperthreading. This is reported to Windows as a dual-core, even though it's not, and Task Manager counts each virtual core as 50% of the total processing power, even though in reality most of the processing power is being utilized for folding. Don't worry about it, and just leave things as they are. Don't install another copy of the uniprocessor client, as HT's timesharing of resources between the two virtual cores won't help much since one copy of the client uses the resources it needs pretty heavily, leaving little time for another copy to make use of them without slowing down both considerably.

Thanks for the quick replies. Its an Asus Eee PC 1005HA with an Intel Atom CPU N280 processor rated as a 2.4 on the Windows Experience Index. I was really hoping that I could get this thing moving a bit faster than an average of 22 mins for 2500 folds, but if thats not possible, then I'm happy to contribute what I can.

Thanks again for the help!

http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=41411
It is single core with Hyperthreading

cyberidd wrote:I was really hoping that I could get this thing moving a bit faster than an average of 22 mins for 2500 folds, but if thats not possible, then I'm happy to contribute what I can.

The Atom is specifically designed for portability, which means it preserves battery life by using power very sparingly. It may run a long time on batteries, but its folding performance will never be particularly high. Desktop computers are designed in ways that use more electricity, generate more heat, and fold faster. Your contributions are useful to science, but there's really nothing you can do to speed them up.

Aren't some laptops designed to make full use of their power when connected to an AC adapter, but don't when running on just the battery? Couldn't he see if keeping it plugged in when not using it in a fashion that would require use of just the battery could increase his folding if only by a small margain?

Baowoulf wrote:Aren't some laptops designed to make full use of their power when connected to an AC adapter, but don't when running on just the battery? Couldn't he see if keeping it plugged in when not using it in a fashion that would require use of just the battery could increase his folding if only by a small margain?

My netbook gives me the option of running the processor in "Power Save", "High", and "Super" modes. I suspect that when I have it running in Super it makes no difference whether its plugged in or not. That said, I have it folding almost 20 hours a day, most of which it does while plugged in.

A side note, the computer gets quite hot when folding in "Super" mode (I always fold in Super), but I had read here that people found success with cooling pads. I can't believe how much cooler it stays now that I have one! Thanks for the idea Folding Forum!