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The cost of folding :)
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 2:23 pm
by Nobahar
Found this interesting, but cpu's use about 50-100 more watts when they're under load than when idling (by load I mean 100%, as usual with folding).
I think that amounts to 1-2 dollars a month (more), if your computer is on almost constantly.
Here's what else you can buy with that money:
2X

Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 2:45 pm
by Apoptosis
Two of my three folding systems are Dothan 2GHz notebooks and the other is a 4GHz prescott. I'm sure it sucks downa bit more power, but hey all for a good cause. I'll skip a couple pints a month in return for folding research!
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 3:08 pm
by infinitevalence
my real cost has come from keeping my apt cool this summer, the computers only cost me at most $5 per system to run 24/7 each mth but keeping my apt under 75f is what has been breaking the bank.
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 4:03 pm
by Nobahar
Especially with tbe bad heat wave nowadays. But I think my CRT generates more heat than my pc lol.
But on the bright note, in the winter they help you.
Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2005 4:08 pm
by Sovereign
ha, my PC heats up the room it's in, but only the area around the desk. the only objection I have to folding is that it crashes Halo.
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:51 pm
by Nobahar
I tried the PC version of Halo. Halo isn't that great of an FPS. I had more fun playing Wolfenstein ET over that.
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:51 pm
by InFuZiOn
Yeah all the cheaters on the Xbox version of Halo 2 online turned me against any thoughts of buying it for the PC. CS:S > All other FPS's
Re: The cost of folding :)
Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2005 5:09 pm
by kenc51
Nobahar wrote:Found this interesting, but cpu's use about 50-100 more watts when they're under load than when idling (by load I mean 100%, as usual with folding).
I think that amounts to 1-2 dollars a month (more), if your computer is on almost constantly.
Here's what else you can buy with that money:
2X

Folding @ home helps EVERYONE....
EVERY work unit you complete helps EVERYONE.
1 - 2 dollars is nothing... I spend the equivalent on rubbish everyday...
I bet, you would see
no difference in your electricity bill, as some months your bill goes up and down by 1-2 dollars anyway. Stanford/Everyone
will notice your contribution....
Heck bet you could FOLD and still have a few bucks spare for
Could save a few bucks in heating ;)
http://vspx27.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/main ... mnum=38296
Team 38296
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2005 6:18 pm
by killswitch83
Nobahar wrote:But on the bright note, in the winter they help you.
considering I've been called a "polar bear", lol, I think I can handle my computer heating my bedroom with the outside doors open in 20-degree cold, lol. now, if I can get that 1700 dollar monster up and going, I won't even have to use my baseboard heat, saving a little bit of money anyways, lol

Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2005 9:36 pm
by wuzy
None if you're living in an uni hall like me!

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:30 pm
by ricksickle
Apoptosis wrote:Two of my three folding systems are Dothan 2GHz notebooks and the other is a 4GHz prescott. I'm sure it sucks downa bit more power, but hey all for a good cause. I'll skip a couple pints a month in return for folding research!
If more people could build folding rigs using those Dothan CPU's, power consumption wouldnt even be a problem. Especially since they crank out the points.
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:32 pm
by ricksickle
I think that amounts to 1-2 dollars a month (more), if your computer is on almost constantly.
We have been doing much testing on these theories and found that most boxes running FAH 24x7 usually run about $10-$12 a month. Starts to add up when you look at your shelf and can count $80 a month of your electric coming from one room, lol.
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 3:33 pm
by Apoptosis
HAHA... good points
Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 9:46 pm
by killswitch83
That's all true, but personally, I believe there's more at work here than just the power consumption. By folding we're helping scientists learn how proteins fold, and thus how certain diseases are formed by this. They can create cures for these diseases with a little bit of our computer resources. All I know is that alone is well-worth it for me, and when my X2 4400+ rig is finished, F@H will be on my machine, that's for sure

Posted: Thu Oct 06, 2005 10:28 pm
by ricksickle
I agree, thats why i could care less at how many machines i have running here. If money gets tight, i know where i can save. As of now, its a hobby and i love it : )
Right now ive been putting together the parts for a cluster, might do an overclockix setup...havent decided yet. Either way, its going to kick out a a few hundred points, and atleast ill have a home for all the trade ins i get here.