So I decided to load this up for a bit...

[NAiLs]

Since I built my new system, I figured I'd start up F@H for a bit... as much as my head can tolerate fans. My question is, I have the core % set to 100%, but it's only sucking up 20-30% of each core. Is this normal on a quad core application? I don't feel like I'm getting the most out of my CPU.

Also, this thing couldn't have stuck me with a bigger project. 1500 frames that will be done in over 31 days? WTH? lol

I've got a Q6600 w/ 4GB of RAM if that matters.

[DaIceMan]

are you using the SMP client? post up a cut and paste of your work log (FAHlog in the install directory).

[NAiLs]

No idea what SMP is, but here's your request:

--- Opening Log file [February 1 00:43:09]


# Windows Graphical Edition ###################################################
###############################################################################

Folding@Home Client Version 5.03

http://folding.stanford.edu

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

Launch directory: d:\Program Files (x86)\Folding@Home


[00:43:46] - Ask before connecting: No
[00:43:46] - User name: NAiLs (Team 38296)
[00:43:46] - User ID not found locally
[00:43:46] + Requesting User ID from server
[00:43:47] - Machine ID: 1
[00:43:47]
[00:43:47] Work directory not found. Creating...
[00:43:47] Could not open work queue, generating new queue...
[00:43:47] Initialization complete
[00:43:47] + Benchmarking ...
[00:43:50] - Preparing to get new work unit...
[00:43:50] + Attempting to get work packet
[00:43:50] - Connecting to assignment server
[00:43:50] - Successful: assigned to (171.64.122.82).
[00:43:50] + News From Folding@Home: Welcome to Folding@Home
[00:43:50] Loaded queue successfully.
[00:43:52] + Closed connections
[00:43:52]
[00:43:52] + Processing work unit
[00:43:52] Core required: FahCore_81.exe
[00:43:52] Core not found.
[00:43:52] - Core is not present or corrupted.
[00:43:52] - Attempting to download new core...
[00:43:52] + Downloading new core: FahCore_81.exe
[00:43:53] + 10240 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 20480 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 30720 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 40960 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 51200 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 61440 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 71680 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 81920 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 92160 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 102400 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 112640 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 122880 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 133120 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 143360 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 153600 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 163840 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 174080 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 184320 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 194560 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 204800 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 215040 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 225280 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 235520 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 245760 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 256000 bytes downloaded
[00:43:53] + 266240 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 276480 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 286720 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 296960 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 307200 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 317440 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 327680 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 337920 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 348160 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 358400 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 368640 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 378880 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 389120 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 399360 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 409600 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 419840 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 430080 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 440320 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 450560 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 460800 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 471040 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 481280 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 491520 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 501760 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 512000 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 522240 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 532480 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 542720 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 552960 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 563200 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 573440 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 583680 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 593920 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 604160 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 614400 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 624640 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 634880 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 645120 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 655360 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 665600 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 675840 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 686080 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 696320 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 706560 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 716800 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 727040 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 737280 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 747520 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 757760 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 768000 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 778240 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 788480 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 798720 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 808960 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 819200 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] + 825684 bytes downloaded
[00:43:54] Verifying core Core_81.fah...
[00:43:54] Signature is VALID
[00:43:54]
[00:43:54] Trying to unzip core FahCore_81.exe
[00:43:54] Decompressed FahCore_81.exe (2396160 bytes) successfully
[00:43:54] + Core successfully engaged
[00:43:59]
[00:43:59] + Processing work unit
[00:43:59] Core required: FahCore_81.exe
[00:43:59] Core found.
[00:43:59] Working on Unit 01 [February 1 00:43:59]
[00:43:59] + Working ...
[00:43:59]
[00:43:59] *------------------------------*
[00:43:59] Folding@Home Gromacs Simulated Tempering Core
[00:43:59] Version 1.10 (Oct 4, 2007)
[00:43:59]
[00:43:59] Preparing to commence simulation
[00:43:59] - Looking at optimizations...
[00:43:59] - Created dyn
[00:43:59] - Files status OK
[00:44:00] - Expanded 364352 -> 1799251 (decompressed 493.8 percent)
[00:44:00] - Starting from initial work packet
[00:44:00]
[00:44:00] Project: 3623 (Run 19, Clone 5, Gen 8)
[00:44:00]
[00:44:00] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[00:44:00] Entering M.D.
[00:44:06] Protein: p3623_Seq27_Amber03_Native
[00:44:06]
[00:44:06] Writing local files
[00:44:47] Extra SSE boost OK.
[00:44:47] Writing local files
[00:44:47] Completed 0 out of 1500000 steps (0)
[00:46:37] CoreStatus = 62 (98)
[00:46:37] + Restarting core (settings changed)
[00:46:37]
[00:46:37] + Processing work unit
[00:46:37] Core required: FahCore_81.exe
[00:46:37] Core found.
[00:46:37] Working on Unit 01 [February 1 00:46:37]
[00:46:37] + Working ...
[00:46:37]
[00:46:37] *------------------------------*
[00:46:37] Folding@Home Gromacs Simulated Tempering Core
[00:46:37] Version 1.10 (Oct 4, 2007)
[00:46:37]
[00:46:37] Preparing to commence simulation
[00:46:37] - Ensuring status. Please wait.
[00:46:54] - Looking at optimizations...
[00:46:54] - Not checking prior termination.
[00:46:55] - Expanded 364352 -> 1799251 (decompressed 493.8 percent)
[00:46:55]
[00:46:55] Project: 3623 (Run 19, Clone 5, Gen 8)
[00:46:55]
[00:46:56] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[00:46:56] Entering M.D.
[00:47:00] CoreStatus = 62 (98)
[00:47:00] + Restarting core (settings changed)
[00:47:00]
[00:47:00] + Processing work unit
[00:47:00] Core required: FahCore_81.exe
[00:47:00] Core found.
[00:47:00] Working on Unit 01 [February 1 00:47:00]
[00:47:00] + Working ...
[00:47:00]
[00:47:00] *------------------------------*
[00:47:00] Folding@Home Gromacs Simulated Tempering Core
[00:47:00] Version 1.10 (Oct 4, 2007)
[00:47:00]
[00:47:00] Preparing to commence simulation
[00:47:00] - Ensuring status. Please wait.
[00:47:17] - Looking at optimizations...
[00:47:17] - Not checking prior termination.
[00:47:17] - Expanded 364352 -> 1799251 (decompressed 493.8 percent)
[00:47:17]
[00:47:17] Project: 3623 (Run 19, Clone 5, Gen 8)
[00:47:17]
[00:47:17] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[00:47:17] Entering M.D.
[00:47:37] (Starting from checkpoint)
[00:47:37] Protein: p3623_Seq27_Amber03_Native
[00:47:37]
[00:47:37] Writing local files
[00:48:18] Extra SSE boost OK.
[00:48:18] Writing local files
[00:48:18] Completed 0 out of 1500000 steps (0)
[01:01:34] Opening d:\Program Files (x86)\Folding@Home\MyFolding.html...
[01:12:08] Writing local files
[01:12:08] Completed 15000 out of 1500000 steps (1)

[DaIceMan]

from the log, it looks like you are running the "Windows 2000/XP/Vista Graphical client". If you have a quad core, you should take a look at this thread http://forums.legitreviews.com/about10455.html and install the SMP Client

Installation instructions are in the thread I linked and if you have .NET already installed, you could be up and running in about 10 minutes, easily completing 1-2 1760 point work units per day. My gamer is running an SMP unit through about every 20 hours, and holding tight at 1900 points per day (ppd).

Edit: meant to add, SMP stands for Symmetric Multi-Processing.

[vbironchef]

SMP client is the way to go. Don't forget to install bat first before you start running the program. Happy folding

[NAiLs]

I guess I'm putting this on hold. After finding out that my electric bill last month was over $250, I'm definitely not leaving my PC on. It's odd how my bill was only $60-70 in October-December, but once the cold weather hit, the bill really got jacked up.

[KnightRid]

for the love of...umm..legit reviews.

Your computer does NOT use much electricity - why do people keep insisting that computers are electric hogs? even with 1000w power supplies they dont actually use all the power all the time...sigh

Just feels like I am beating a dead horse.

I would say your electric bill jumped because your heating with electric! If not, then you have one major leak! Since you would have to have about 7 computers running 24/7 with high end specs running folding to even get close to that!

Mike

How about an article on power usage in computers. Show how much power they use when people think they are off, then when idle, then folding, then playing high end games.

[Bwall]

The overclocked quad core system that I'm folding with pulls down 186w according to my kill-a-watt, based on "typical" prices for Killowatt hour ($.10), it costs less than $3.36 per week to power it.

My computers double as heaters in my apartment and it's rare that I need to turn the heat up, it usually stays between 65-70 in the place this time of the year.

[NAiLs]

Yea, I've got a high end system, and I'm sure I'll be sucking up a good chunk if I were to put the quad core to work. It's definitely a lot more than my notebook does! I'd use my system to heat my apt. too, but it's in my bedroom and the upstairs in my apartment is usually warm enough. But yes, you nailed it on the head, electric heat! ;)

Conservation is on my side right now. It's not like I can't afford it... that $4/week is <10 minutes of work, but I guess I don't want to blow more than I have to right now.