Guide to running multiple GPU work units

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

Is it 64bit or 32 bit? Looks like it's running with 32 bit.

Should be 64 bit. This is the one I downloaded, and it's installed to Program Files, (not Program Files (x86)
http://boinc.berkeley.edu/download.php

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by manofthem

Should be 64 bit. This is the one I downloaded, and it's installed to Program Files, (not Program Files (x86)
http://boinc.berkeley.edu/download.php

Hmm, they must just use the same database. I don't think this is a BOINC issue, may just be a WCG issue. But then again, I could be wrong.

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

Hmm, they must just use the same database. I don't think this is a BOINC issue, may just be a WCG issue. But then again, I could be wrong.

Well, i have no idea. i'm reinstalling it now just because Maybe it'll start working

edit: Ok, maybe some progress. I've seen that it does better to install normally and actually let it start. Then shut it down and throw in the app_info file. It seems to be doing alright now. Atleast I no longer have the errors in the Event Log that I was getting, likely thanks to the help of KieX!

I'll post back with more info later, hopefully it works

[manofthem]

So the good news: I finally got it up and running in a decent manner. Each card is running 4 WU's and finishing in about 2 minutes (+/- a little). I had an issue earlier about not receiving work and getting errors, as seen a few posts back, but after a reinstall or 2, as well as some other little fiddles, the errors are gone.

But, my only thing now is that the work is slow coming in, in that it doesn't stack up ahead like it used to. Usually as soon as it's ready for work, the old get reported and new ones come, but there has been at least once where it took a few seconds.

So does anyone know why this is happening and what I can do to stop it? I'd like to have a bunch lined up ahead, so that's what I'm looking for.

Also thanks to all for the help that you've given me and

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by manofthem

So the good news: I finally got it up and running in a decent manner. Each card is running 4 WU's and finishing in about 2 minutes (+/- a little). I had an issue earlier about not receiving work and getting errors, as seen a few posts back, but after a reinstall or 2, as well as some other little fiddles, the errors are gone.

But, my only thing now is that the work is slow coming in, in that it doesn't stack up ahead like it used to. Usually as soon as it's ready for work, the old get reported and new ones come, but there has been at least once where it took a few seconds.

So does anyone know why this is happening and what I can do to stop it? I'd like to have a bunch lined up ahead, so that's what I'm looking for.

Also thanks to all for the help that you've given me and
http://img.techpowerup.org/121103/wcg5877.png

Adjust your work buffer higher.

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

Adjust your work buffer higher.

Thanks, What should I put in for my minimum work buffer and max additional work buffer?

[ALMOSTunseen]

Originally Posted by manofthem

Thanks, What should I put in for my minimum work buffer and max additional work buffer?

Ion reccomends somewhere between 2-5 days.

Work Buffer:
By default, BOINC has a work buffer (stored tasks) set to .25 days. This means that your computer has at least enough work to keep running for .25 days without downloading more WUs. It is recommended to set this to anywhere from 2-5 days so that in case there is a network outage the computer will still have work to do. If the computer is not on much, setting the work buffer to anything higher than 2 days is not advised because the system may not be able to finish the tasks by the deadlines. My personal preference is three days, that way there is generally enough work to last the computer through any project outage, but if something happens to the system, you can still usually complete all of the tasks by their deadlines

Found in this thread:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh....php?p=1603277

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by ALMOSTunseen

Ion reccomends somewhere between 2-5 days.

Found in this thread:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/sh....php?p=1603277

Thanks that's exactly what i needed

Sorry for all the noob questions the last few days and all the help requested, but I really appreciate it big time!

[Norton]

Originally Posted by manofthem

Thanks, What should I put in for my minimum work buffer and max additional work buffer?

To run the gpu wu's you may want to keep your buffer low (<0.5 days). The wu's have a limit/quota.... once you reach the limit, you only get a new one when you report a finished one.

I'm not sure how it works with gpu only setups but on single setups like mine, I get loaded with other non-gpu wu's if I set the buffer too high.

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by Norton

To run the gpu wu's you may want to keep your buffer low (<0.5 days). The wu's have a limit/quota.... once you reach the limit, you only get a new one when you report a finished one.

I'm not sure how it works with gpu only setups but on single setups like mine, I get loaded with other non-gpu wu's if I set the buffer too high.

Ok, thank you sir. Obviously i'm not too familiar either, so I'm going to be monitoring it tonight and tomorrow, and then I should get a better idea of how the buffer should be set

[[Ion]]

Originally Posted by manofthem

Thanks that's exactly what i needed

Sorry for all the noob questions the last few days and all the help requested, but I really appreciate it big time!

The way to learn is to ask questions. As I've stressed, we're here to help

Originally Posted by Norton

To run the gpu wu's you may want to keep your buffer low (<0.5 days). The wu's have a limit/quota.... once you reach the limit, you only get a new one when you report a finished one.

I'm not sure how it works with gpu only setups but on single setups like mine, I get loaded with other non-gpu wu's if I set the buffer too high.

Ahh, that's a good point for GPU-only systems. Certainly something to think about!

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by [Ion]

The way to learn is to ask questions. As I've stressed, we're here to help

Ahh, that's a good point for GPU-only systems. Certainly something to think about!

I know and thanks Ion. I just want everyone to know that I do appreciate the assistance I've been receiving here! It's not wasted either, as I'm going to be a permanent member of the team (as long as I can that is) even after the challenge ends; you don't just abandon your team! I'm glad I'm getting all the hi-jinks ironed out now And I'll update later with what buffer works well, as soon as I'm sure about it.

[F150_Raptor]

Originally Posted by manofthem

So the good news: I finally got it up and running in a decent manner. Each card is running 4 WU's and finishing in about 2 minutes (+/- a little). I had an issue earlier about not receiving work and getting errors, as seen a few posts back, but after a reinstall or 2, as well as some other little fiddles, the errors are gone.

But, my only thing now is that the work is slow coming in, in that it doesn't stack up ahead like it used to. Usually as soon as it's ready for work, the old get reported and new ones come, but there has been at least once where it took a few seconds.

So does anyone know why this is happening and what I can do to stop it? I'd like to have a bunch lined up ahead, so that's what I'm looking for.

You can increase the buffer like others said. Another thing is if you return to many wu's that have been aborted or errored out, they will cut down how many wu's you recieve until you have returned more valid results than the invalid ones.

[manofthem]

Just an update here: everything is going well. Currently I have set the work buffer to 0.5, and it seems to be maintaining a nice flow of incoming/outgoing work. Any higher work buffer, and work seemed to stack up, and any lower it was diminishing. I'm guessing perfect is somewhere right around there.

The WU's are getting done between 1:30-2:00, with gpu usage up at 98% almost always. I haven't had any dreaded errors or aborts, so I think it's smooth sailing from here on out.



Edit: update on buffer - I had it at 0.5, but I noticed that I'm catching up so I'm going to increase it to 0.6

[[Ion]]

Originally Posted by manofthem

Just an update here: everything is going well. Currently I have set the work buffer to 0.5, and it seems to be maintaining a nice flow of incoming/outgoing work. Any higher work buffer, and work seemed to stack up, and any lower it was diminishing. I'm guessing perfect is somewhere right around there.

The WU's are getting done between 1:30-2:00, with gpu usage up at 98% almost always. I haven't had any dreaded errors or aborts, so I think it's smooth sailing from here on out.

http://img.techpowerup.org/121105/wcg1.png

Wow---8 WUs finishing every 2 minutes. That's very close to 200k PPD you're getting there

Glad to hear it's been going well for you!

Is this making the computer laggy at all?

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by [Ion]

Wow---8 WUs finishing every 2 minutes. That's very close to 200k PPD you're getting there

Glad to hear it's been going well for you!

Is this making the computer laggy at all?

Well, I haven't hit 200k yet, that's t_ski territory.

My PC isn't too sluggish really, just once in a while with some graphical stuff. But with Internet stuff, music, regular hoopla: not too bad at all.

Next step it to get it going well in Windows 8

[t_ski]

I now have 12 WU's completing every 2:07-2:28. That's about one every 12.5 Seconds

The only thing I've noticed is that it makes pr0n videos slow and jerky...

[dude12564]

Originally Posted by t_ski

I now have 12 WU's completing every 2:07-2:28. That's about one every 12.5 Seconds

The only thing I've noticed is that it makes pr0n videos slow and jerky...

ONLY every 12.5 seconds...

Pick it up!


But on a serious note, mad props to you!

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by t_ski

I now have 12 WU's completing every 2:07-2:28. That's about one every 12.5 Seconds

The only thing I've noticed is that it makes pr0n videos slow and jerky...

That's pretty insane, "props to you" as the dude says! Is that your max, as you're rocking the 12 threads? I think I read in one of these threads about running more WUs than you have threads, but I think that it'll be too much work.

[[Ion]]

Originally Posted by manofthem

Well, I haven't hit 200k yet, that's t_ski territory.

My PC isn't too sluggish really, just once in a while with some graphical stuff. But with Internet stuff, music, regular hoopla: not too bad at all.

Next step it to get it going well in Windows 8

Well, your theoretical output should be ~185-190k. Obviously actual output will be a tad slower

Originally Posted by t_ski

I now have 12 WU's completing every 2:07-2:28. That's about one every 12.5 Seconds

The only thing I've noticed is that it makes pr0n videos slow and jerky...

Oh, only one every 12.5 seconds
I get one ever ~minute (not counting the CPUs) and I consider that good

[Norton]

t_ski is now #3 in the world with manofthem following pretty close at #13

http://boincstats.com/en/stats/15/host/list/12/0/0

I'll bet that T hits #1 within the next 2-3 days...

You guys are rocking the WCG world!!!

[[Ion]]

Originally Posted by Norton

t_ski is now #3 in the world with manofthem following pretty close at #13

http://boincstats.com/en/stats/15/host/list/12/0/0

I'll bet that T hits #1 within the next 2-3 days...

You guys are rocking the WCG world!!!

Wow---someone on our Team with a host that's #3 in the world by PPD. That sure beats the ~#130 in the world that my 2700k does@

I'm dubious that he can hit #1 unless he gets another card--but still, #3 is amazing.

Although, given what he's done, I guess we shouldn't be too surprised

[t_ski]

Well, that number was with three WU's per GPU, and I just bumped it up to four. I did have to stop my WHS through, but that wasn't very many points. And I am having some trouble getting my P4 rig to boot now Never got that one up and running.

[Chicken Patty]

This thread is now a sticky

[manofthem]

Originally Posted by Chicken Patty

This thread is now a sticky

Very good call, this thread was a huge help for me!