Folding Forum

As a member of other forums (not folding related) I know that I will likely be providing to much or not enough information to answer my many questions that you have likely answered 1000 times, please be forgiving.

System runs 24/7 (only 1 system ATM)
Motherboard... Maximus V Extreme
Processor... Intel Core i7-3770K 3.5gig (overclocked to 4.3)
Cooler... Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO
SLI Graphics.. 2x ASUS GTX670-DC2-4GD5 (overclocked)
Memory... 16gig Corsair Dominator Platinum
Power Supply... Corsair AX1200i
SSD... 3x Corsair Force Series GS 240gig (1 OS, 1 Programs, 1 Storage)
Internet connection... cable
Folding@Home client... 7.3.6
OS... Windows7 Professional

That should be more than enough about my build. Now to the questions.

Do I have the right program installed to utilize my system to its fullest?
Is there a way to tell how well the CPU and GPU are doing (OC tweaking related)? I read it was PPD but if that is true then my GPU is doing more than my CPU (hard to believe).
Is an Overclock preformed using FurMark the best for this application? I noticed a few postings but most of them are many years old.
Other than bragging rights, what are the credits used for?

I think this is a great thing, wish I had heard of it before. Thanks for looking and any advice you have to offer.

Is there a way to tell how well the CPU and GPU are doing (OC tweaking related)?

no need to OC beyond your normal stable configuration...monitoring with your normal tools will indicate 100% load on CPU and GPU.
due to this continuous load,you might want to check that your temperatures stay in a safe range...but otherwise just watching your ppd over time is the best indication that everything is perking along nicely.

I read it was PPD but if that is true then my GPU is doing more than my CPU (hard to believe).

GPU are massive math processors...what is being done when folding, so yeah they do crank.

Is an Overclock preformed using FurMark the best for this application? I noticed a few postings but most of them are many years old.

No, it really is not in the best interest of science stability to push the OC. Makes WU fail, slows the progression of dependent WU,etc. etc.
besides, you will be using plenty of electricity...no need to waste more on diminishing or even negative returns, right?

Other than bragging rights, what are the credits used for?

Nothing other than to allow you to confirm and follow the efficiency of your rig.

Welcome to the wonderful world of folding,

Your setup sounds very solid; good CPU, two GPU, enough power in the PSU: ready to go ...

First: apply for a passkey http://folding.stanford.edu/home/faq/faq-passkey/
You need to finish 10 successful work units before receiving higher points. So as early you start with the passkey as better it is.

Second: don't fold in SLI, no benefit to my understanding. Configure two independent GPUs will get you more points.

Third: I would start with less overclocking and increase over the time to learn how the system behave; with respect to temperature and stability.

Fourth: Software is ok, win 7 is stable, FAH client v7.3.6 is actual -> ready to go

I'm not in overclocking as I fold under Linux; others need to help here.

The points are right now for nothing good in real life. They are a pure measurement of your contributions the project overall. It also helps you to figure out if any system tuning is successful. When the points go up or down.
There is a new 3rd party initiative starting called CureCoin which will try to combine folding and mining; but still in discussion and conceptual phase. Not clear if and when it go live. (Wording changed for clarification).

Enjoy, install the software and start with a standard configuration as it will be suggested by the software. Tweaking we can do later

mdk777 wrote: no need to OC beyond your normal stable configuration...monitoring with your normal tools will indicate 100% load on CPU and GPU.
due to this continuous load,you might want to check that your temperatures stay in a safe range...but otherwise just watching your ppd over time is the best indication that everything is perking along nicely.

Thank you, I use Precision X to watch GPU temp (never over 40c running at full). Will let it run all night and check the ppd, then reset the OC to default and do again, compare the numbers and use judgment... Odd thing, CPU doesnt move much over normal temp, fan will increase but temp is within 5c of normal.

mdk777 wrote: GPU are massive math processors...what is being done when folding, so yeah they do crank.

Great, will do as above and "maybe" tinker with memory clock a little, easy to crash if to much but wth LOL.

another question if I may. I use my computer off and on during the day, when I do i set it to "Medium"... this turns off the GPU and 1 of the CPU cores. While i doubt i will not meet a deadline is there a way to set the GPU and CPU to work on one WU at a time rather than one for the CPU and another for the GPU?

FAH doesn't care about SLI, on or off. FAH will see two GPUs and fold on two regardless of that setting by default.

Memory speed and size on a GPU adds very little to FAH performance. A lessor memory speed with higher shader clocks is better for folding and uses less power.

The V7 client is designed to take full advantage of the system resources by default. You can also adjust afterwards depending on your usage of that PC.

But currently, there is no way to combine the processing of the GPU and CPU on to one work unit. The code base for each is different.

ChristianVirtual wrote:Welcome to the wonderful world of folding,

Your setup sounds very solid; good CPU, two GPU, enough power in the PSU: ready to go ...

First: apply for a passkey http://folding.stanford.edu/home/faq/faq-passkey/
You need to finish 10 successful work units before receiving higher points. So as early you start with the passkey as better it is.

Second: don't fold in SLI, no benefit to my understanding. Configure two independent GPUs will get you more points.

Third: I would start with less overclocking and increase over the time to learn how the system behave; with respect to temperature and stability.

Fourth: Software is ok, win 7 is stable, FAH client v7.3.6 is actual -> ready to go

I'm not in overclocking as I fold under Linux; others need to help here.

The points are right now for nothing good in real life. They are a pure measurement of your contributions the project overall. It also helps you to figure out if any system tuning is successful. When the points go up or down.
There is a new 3rd party initiative starting called CureCoin which will try to combine folding and mining; but yet to be deployed.

Enjoy, install the software and start with a standard configuration as it will be suggested by the software. Tweaking we can do later

Thank you, started last night and working my 3rd and 4th WU now. I am doing this as part of a team but I did get a passcode an put it in. Right now my PPD for CPU is 18.8k and fo rGPU is 19.5k, is that about normal?

Thanks for the tip on SLI (former gamer as you can tell form the rig) will reset it later, Right now my concern would be that the GPU would get a WU each and not be working together on one like the CPU and GPU are now. I worry about missing a deadline as I would need a GPU during the day.

No, they are running separate programs optimized for them.
People tend to notice GPU lag immediately, and the program(gpu client) really only has two speeds, on or off.
Hence, anything other than full tends to pause the GPU client.

mdk777 wrote:No, they are running separate programs optimized for them.
People tend to notice GPU lag immediately, and the program(gpu client) really only has two speeds, on or off.
Hence, anything other than full tends to pause the GPU client.

Good then the answers the other question as well. if running on different programs then if i remove the SLI both will be working on the same WU.

I worry about missing a deadline as I would need a GPU during the day.

If you find this a problem, set the GPU to "finish" in the evening. Then, it will be shut down when you want to use it in the day without interrupting a WU in progress (my card finishes in about 4 hours, YMMV...8hours?) Also as you get quick return bonus points with your passkey, you will optimize your ppd(and science because the faster a WU is returned, the faster the process can continue)

hen if i remove the SLI both will be working on the same WU.

No then you will have three programs, one on each GPU, and one on the CPU.

Complex I know, but due to the lag in communications across the PCIE , things just get done way faster if the calculations stay on the processor as much as possible.

Some day there may be a heterogeneous client, one that makes use of the cpu,and GPU at the same time...but it doesn't exist yet.

ok, turned off the SLI and only have 2 jobs going, 1 GPU working, other is well... no telling... maybe it hasnt found a job yet (deadbeat better get to work)

thanks for your help. will be back for some advanced setting advice if i am not happy with performance.

Welcome to the F@H Forum FilterLess,

Please note that if you do want additional tweaking done to your F@H set-up, please post the log file which will contain the system configuration and F@H settings (viewtopic.php?f=61&t=16206&p=225958#p225958).