Folding Forum

I have a HTPC server running 24x7 that I use to stream content from in my home. Since the CPU sits idle the vast majority of the day I thought I would contribue some CPU cycles to the "cause". However, I am really confused on what I need. The machine is an AMD Phenom X4 3.0Ghz running Win 7 64-bit. No GPU however. On board graphics only.

Currently I downloaded and installed the Windows systray client 6.23 and got it up and running with no problem. After doing some reading I understood that the client is not SMP capable and multiple instances need to be installed if one wants to take advantage of multiple cores. That is what I did (followed the guides) and I installed 2 more instances of the systray client to give me a total of 3 clients running. That keeps my 4 core CPU at 75%.

Now I am reading more about the version 7 beta client. Is there any "upside" to using the version 7? As I understand it, it uses the same cores, correct? So other than having one program that is SMP capable instead of having to run 3 different clients, is there any reason why I would want to mess with version 7 right now? Just trying to figure out the "best" way to fold under my circumstances and i want to make sure I am folding at peak efficiency.

You'll probably find the v7 client much easy to use and to set up ... it can easily run one uniprocessor core, multiple uniprocessor cores, or SMP core. But keep in mind that it's still a beta client, so you might experiences issues (that have to be reported to improve it).

By the way, since your server is on 24/7, I think you should run a SMP client (v6) or a SMP slot (v7).

toTOW wrote:You'll probably find the v7 client much easy to use and to set up ... it can easily run one uniprocessor core, multiple uniprocessor cores, or SMP core. But keep in mind that it's still a beta client, so you might experiences issues (that have to be reported to improve it).

By the way, since your server is on 24/7, I think you should run a SMP client (v6) or a SMP slot (v7).

Ok, I guess I will give the v7 SMP a try. I like the idea of GUI compared to console. How "buggy" is it though? I notice that it has been in beta a loooong time. It still not stable enough to be called "stable"?

Are there any performance enhancement gained using the v7 SMP slot over what I have currently setup (x3 v6 clients)? Or is it just easier to manage?

I have been running the v7 for some time, basically from the first day of open-beta. And I haven't missed a day or WU due to the bugs, so on my systems it runs stable.

The V7 client/system, is far easier to control. but there is no performance gain as far as I can tell. There is however a big difference between uniprocessor clients and the SMP client (v6 or v7, no difference there).
The SMP clients basically use multiple cores for one project, making it able to run bigger project at a faster rate, and thus giving you more points

Biggen wrote:Ok, I guess I will give the v7 SMP a try. I like the idea of GUI compared to console. How "buggy" is it though? I notice that it has been in beta a loooong time. It still not stable enough to be called "stable"?

You have to remember what Standford has to work with. They have the skills but not necessarily the same resources as for profit companies such as game companies. That can do the same amount of beta testing in a shorter amount of time. Also they want to be extra sure that the science is done right and with as little bugs as possible until releasing it for testing with a wider range of people.

Biggen wrote:Ok, I guess I will give the v7 SMP a try. I like the idea of GUI compared to console. How "buggy" is it though? I notice that it has been in beta a loooong time. It still not stable enough to be called "stable"?

Are there any performance enhancement gained using the v7 SMP slot over what I have currently setup (x3 v6 clients)? Or is it just easier to manage?

F@H clients tend to be "beta" for a long time. However, you can't even see them until they're in "open beta," so they have most of the major bugs worked out before then. In general, the beta clients work fine in "average" installations, but those pushing the limits with new hardware tend to uncover the latent bugs.

Performance should be identical whether you use the v6.x or v7.x client, as long as it's configured for the same type WUs (e.g., a single SMP client with default options). Installation is easier with v7 (though the v6.30 SMP client was a major step forward), and it includes monitoring tools so you don't need 3rd-party apps to see what's going on.

When you go from 3x Uniprocessor clients to a single SMP client, you will see significant performance gains (measured in points per day or PPD). You will see even more when you obtain and install a passkey, then complete the required number of Work Units to activate the bonuses.

To make the transition, start each of your current clients with the -oneunit flag (or equivalent for the systray version) to stop after the current WU is done. Then look at the F@H site for info on obtaining a passkey. When all 3 are done, install the v7 client. It should automagically detect your multi-core CPU and configure for the SMP client. Add the passkey when prompted. once you're happy that it's running correctly, delete/uninstall the old v6 clients.