new A2 core released--on advanced methods

[kasson]

We've released a new A2 SMP core to advanced methods (currently projects 2619, 2662) for OSX and Linux.
This core is much more efficient in terms of its CPU utilization than the A1 core or the first-generation A2 core, and we're excited about the greater scientific productivity it allows.

The new core version is 2.00 (2.01 for OSX); if you don't have a previous A2 core it should auto-download. If you have an A2 core prior to 1.95, please delete it. Those cores do not always download upgrades automatically and will run much slower than the new version.

Edit by Mod: Based on comments below, if your current WU is using FahCore_A2, updating will probably destroy it, so wait until it finishes.
-b

[DriveEuro]

My vm downloaded it automatically and I'm already running a 2662. Not too sure if my frame times are accurate due to having a GPU running on that rig. Showing ~10min per frame. Highly doubt it's correct, especially only on 2 cores of a Q6600 at 3ghz.

[P5-133XL]

I've been been getting around 9:20/frame (PPD 2950-3150) inside a 2 core VM (Hyper-V) using a 3.46GHz Q9450.

[Hyperlife]

This core scales very well on quads -- looks like no need to run 2 clients to maximize CPU usage (or points) anymore. Here are my stats on the 2662s that are currently being crunched:

Q6600 @ 3.276GHz (364x9): 4:38/frame, 5967PPD
E6600 @ 3.303GHz (367x9): 9:27/frame, 2925PPD

The Q6600 is almost exactly twice as fast as the E6600, as it should be.

[Ivoshiee]

I've yet to see the A2 on my Linux SMP machines, but I doubt that there is much improvement with total CPU utilization - A1 is capable only about 30...40% on my quads. I've stopped running FAH SMP on all but 2 remaining systems and even those are just for the bug testing sake with no real WU or points production expectancy. (Reason: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=453257)

[toTOW]

You'll be surprised to see the new CPU usage ... it's now almost 100%

[Ivoshiee]

You'll be surprised to see the new CPU usage ... it's now almost 100%

I do not believe it until I see it, but whatever I do it still will get me no A2 assignment.

Edit:
After heavy WU dumping and multiple config changes I finally got an A2 WU - Phenom 9600 utilization is just around 75%. It is better than A1, but still it is not around 100% you are reporting.

[bollix47]

You'll be surprised to see the new CPU usage ... it's now almost 100%

Will saying yes to advmethods when using the -config or -configonly command line switch work or do we have to use -advmethods when starting ./fah6 -smp?

[Hyperlife]

Will saying yes to advmethods when using the -config or -configonly command line switch work or do we have to use -advmethods when starting ./fah6 -smp?

Either way should work -- there's no difference between the two ways of adding the flag.

[toTOW]

You'll be surprised to see the new CPU usage ... it's now almost 100%

I do not believe it until I see it, but whatever I do it still will get me no A2 assignment.

Only my dual cores have been getting A2 WU recently ... I miss them on my Quads

[Ivoshiee]

Will saying yes to advmethods when using the -config or -configonly command line switch work or do we have to use -advmethods when starting ./fah6 -smp?

Either way should work -- there's no difference between the two ways of adding the flag.

The -advmethods nor config.cfg "advmethods" didn't get me an A2 WU.

[tear]

Think positive!

Think that core will be there... and it will be there. It's gonna be a mother beautiful core and it's gonna be there.

[crapiecorn]

Project 2662 is not doing so well for me. Only 75% usage of a 2 core vm.

About 14minutes per frame.

[7im]

Project 2662 is not doing so well for me. Only 75% usage of a 2 core vm.

About 14minutes per frame.

Thanks for the report, but we really NEED more details to put your comments in a frame of reference. Like how much usage were you getting before? On what processor, at what speed? What OS in the VM? Did you delete the old A2 fahcore to get the new one?

[crapiecorn]

Ok, here we go :
cpu : Q6600@3.2ghz
vm : vmware workstation 6
vm os : debian etch amd64
usage before : 95 a 98% (total system usage, 2x project 2605 vm's)
usage after : 70 a 75% (total system usage, 2x project 2662 vm's)

I started from a fresh client.