Forceware 180.70 + SMP in XP = Win

[geokilla]

The new Forceware 180.70 does NOT require lots of CPU usage to fold anymore. I have my CPU usage set to 100% for GPU folding, and FahCore_11.exe uses around 5% of my CPU. This lets me run SMP on a dual core machine! Now as others said, the reason to make the switch to Vista is now gone.

It took a while to get SMP right, but I got it set up. It's running as a service as well, which is a major plus for me. FahMon says I should get 5300PPD if I fold 24/7. SMP takes just under 15 min to complete one percent.

Quick question though. I noticed in Task Manager that there's 4 processes of FahCore_a1.exe. Is this correct? I have the -smp 2 flag setup last night.

[06:23:09] - Ask before connecting: No
[06:23:09] - User name: geokilla (Team 38296)
[06:23:09] - User ID: 4ECB63996A2BD1C9
[06:23:09] - Machine ID: 1
[06:23:09]
[06:23:10] Loaded queue successfully.
[06:23:10]
[06:23:10] + Processing work unit
[Nov23:10] Work type a1 not eligible for variable processors
[06:23:10] - Autosending finished units... [Nov23:10]23 06:23:10 UTC]
[06:23:10] Core required: FahCore_a1.exe
[06:23:10] Trying to send all finished work units
[06:23:10] + No unsent completed units remaining.
[06:23:10] - Autosend completed
[06:23:10] Core found.
[06:23:10] Using generic mpiexec calls
[06:23:10] Working on queue slot 02 [November 23 06:23:10 UTC]
[06:23:10] + Working ...
[06:23:10] - Calling 'mpiexec -np 4 -channel auto -host 127.0.0.1 FahCore_a1.exe -dir work/ -suffix 02 -cpu 95 -checkpoint 15 -service -forceasm -verbose -lifeline 736 -version 623'

[06:23:10]
[06:23:10] *------------------------------*
[06:23:10] Folding@Home Gromacs SMP Core
[06:23:10] Version 1.74 (March 10, 2007)
[06:23:10]
[06:23:10] Preparing to commence simulation
[06:23:10] - Ensuring status. Please wait.
[06:23:27] - Assembly optimizations manually forced on.
[06:23:27] - Not checking prior termination.
[06:23:27] - Expanded 608256 -> 3255645 (decompressed 535.2 percent)
[06:23:27]
[06:23:27] Project: 3062 (Run 0, Clone 127, Gen 68)
[06:23:27]
[06:23:28] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[06:23:28] Entering M.D.
[06:23:34] Protein: p3062_lambda5_99sb
[06:23:34] Writing local files
[06:23:34] Extra SSE boost OK.
[06:23:34] point
[06:23:34] Protein: p3062_lambda5_99sb
[06:23:34] Writing local files
[06:23:34] Extra SSE boost OK.
[06:23:34] Writing local files
[06:23:34] Completed 0 out of 5000000 steps (0 percent)
[06:38:34] Timered checkpoint triggered.
[06:38:40] Writing local files
[06:38:40] Completed 50000 out of 5000000 steps (1 percent)

[DaIceMan]

You have way more flags than I can understand, but I'm glad SMP is working. I might have to give it a shot when I finish up some work tonight.

[vbironchef]

That is very good speed for SMP. Just a note: 5000000 steps always goes faster than 250000 steps. For me 5000000 steps is around 17 min and 250000 is around 19-20 min. Just thought we would compare. What and where did you find forceware 180.70?

[geokilla]

The flags I added were -local -forceasm -verbosity 9 -smp 2

@Vbrion. I found the drivers on Guru3D. Googling 180.70 will give you the download links on Guru3D.

There might be two negatives with this driver. One is that it doesn't seem to install the PhsyX drivers, as I cannot find it in Add or Remove Programs. Second is that these drivers are not that great when you're doing anything graphic related. Tried to watch my Gundam episode this morning, and it couldn't even make a smooth switch from windowed screen to full screen mode. Same goes for MSN as well. Basically, I'm getting these stuff all over again. Stopping GPU folding made everything go back to normal.

And about that 4 instances of FahCore_a1.exe, can anyone answer that?

[vbironchef]

I have a quad core QX6700. It does show 4 FahCore_a1.exe. What I do is turn off core 3 on all FahCore_a1.exe because I run my GPU2 client on core 3. So I have all 4 cores running a 100% 24/7 unless Natasha runs a bunch of files and needs to turn off folding with the GPU2 client. It really messes up her files for work.

[geokilla]

Here's a good question. I never encountered this before, but since my SMP can't finish folding by the preferred deadline because my computer won't be power on enough during the weekdays, what happens once you pass the preferred deadline? I'm pretty sure I can make the final deadline on the slower WU, and know for sure I can make it by the final deadline for the fast WU that I got.