Computer Hope

Other => Computer Hope groups => Folding@Home (Team: 67290) => Topic started by: Aegis on April 24, 2012, 06:31:33 PM

Title: Opinions, Please: Multi-Cores/Multi Units or Multi-Cores/1 Unit
Post by: Aegis on April 24, 2012, 06:31:33 PM: Question for the Team.

I have a three core processor. Do you think it's better to have each core working on a work unit, or better to let the cores "concentrate" on one unit at a time?

Thanks, Brian
Title: Re: Opinions, Please: Multi-Cores/Multi Units or Multi-Cores/1 Unit
Post by: Calum on August 03, 2012, 02:02:57 PM: 3 cores working on one unit (SMP) will give you better results than 3 separate units (uniprocessor) - however, your PC must be on and folding enough to make the shorter SMP deadlines. If your PC isn't on + folding enough of the time, 3 uniprocessor clients is your best bet as the deadlines are much longer.
Title: Re: Opinions, Please: Multi-Cores/Multi Units or Multi-Cores/1 Unit
Post by: Aegis on August 12, 2012, 02:13:31 AM: Thanks, Calum. I tried, for a while, assigning a unit to each of the cores in my AMD processor. I seem to be getting better results by just allowing my 3 core processor to work on one assigned unit at a time. :)
Title: Re: Opinions, Please: Multi-Cores/Multi Units or Multi-Cores/1 Unit
Post by: Calum on August 16, 2012, 12:53:13 PM: If you're running the SMP client, yes, you'll definitely get better results that way as long as your PC's on enough to meet deadlines.
Title: Re: Opinions, Please: Multi-Cores/Multi Units or Multi-Cores/1 Unit
Post by: Aegis on August 16, 2012, 03:03:23 PM: Not sure if I'm running SMP. I don't think so. I should check - though I'm kinda tempted to just let things be. Most days, I turn on the computer in the morning, and then turn it off before I go to sleep.

Thanks for the continued input! :)

I wish I could have a server or Cray CX1 desktop to just dedicate to folding, but my current (modest) system is doing better than the single-core processor system I had before.
Title: Re: Opinions, Please: Multi-Cores/Multi Units or Multi-Cores/1 Unit
Post by: Calum on August 17, 2012, 12:31:53 PM: Quote from: Aegis on August 16, 2012, 03:03:23 PM
Not sure if I'm running SMP. I don't think so. I should check - though I'm kinda tempted to just let things be. Most days, I turn on the computer in the morning, and then turn it off before I go to sleep.
Ah, I see. If you're not running the SMP client, running 3 instances of the uniprocessor client will triple your production, as one client will only use one core. If you're not currently running SMP, I wouldn't switch to it, as the newer units are getting shorter deadlines so your system probably wouldn't make them if it's not on 24/7.

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Thanks for the continued input! :)
No problem :)

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I wish I could have a server or Cray CX1 desktop to just dedicate to folding, but my current (modest) system is doing better than the single-core processor system I had before.
Hah, don't we all! Every little certainly helps though.
Title: Re: Opinions, Please: Multi-Cores/Multi Units or Multi-Cores/1 Unit
Post by: patio on August 17, 2012, 04:02:35 PM: Good to seeya again Calum...
Hope all is well.
Title: Re: Opinions, Please: Multi-Cores/Multi Units or Multi-Cores/1 Unit
Post by: Calum on August 18, 2012, 01:56:08 AM: On the up, patio...been a while heh.
Figured I'd pop over for at least a little while, see what's happening here :)