Minimum hardwre requirement

[Clive]

Hi:
I have been reading through the forums looking to see if anything has been dealt with regarding this topic.

Is there a minimum CPU and GPU requirement that will run Folding@Home software?

I have a dated Alienware laptop which has an Intel i7-3740QM CPU and a NVIDIA Geforce GTX 660M GPU. Folding@Home is running on the CPU but not on the GPU. Which begs the question, does this video card fail to meet the minimum hardware requirement to fully run Folding@home? Otherwise this dated laptop runs fine on fully patched Win 10.

Using Task Manager, I can tell the CPU is using between 19% - 70% of its processing power. The video card is using 0%. I have the laptop sitting on a Targus cooling pad. I have removed the battery to enhance the internal air flow. In addition, I have a small fan at the rear of the laptop to further enhance air flow.

Clive

[bruce]

The definition for the minimum GPU requirement is in transition right now for some low-end GPUs. Fortunately for you, the GTX 660M is supported and will continue to be. All CPUs that run Windows are supported for Windows greater than WinXP or for Linux or for Mac_OS-X.

post the first segment of your log and we'll figure out what's going on with your system. Your GPU may need a change, or you may need to change how you monitor it.

[Neil-B]

Your GPU meets the minimum technical requirements it may not be quick but as long as you keep a watch to make sure it is folding the WUs within Expiration at worst and TImeout if possible it should be ok.

Your CPU should be able to fold within TImeout.

If you want help checking if your setup is working you need to post your log including the first 100 lines or so that include your configuration ... see here for help on posting logs viewtopic.php?f=61&t=26036.

Your challenge may be keeping the laptop cool enough to stop various issues such as CPU throttling or crashes causing you grief .. my old alienware laptops had really weak cooling systems and weren't good at managing their components tbh - hope yours is better than they were.

[HugoNotte]

I have tried folding on a GT 630M and got WUs. Very slow and usually exceeded the Timeout, not the Expiration time. In the end not worth while. But your GTX 660M should be able to do some WUs in much shorter time.
When you look at the Windows Task Manager, it would usually show 0% for the GPU unless you go to the GPU screen, where the Video Engine would show 0% but the Cuda or Computing cores would show activity.
Have you checked FAH Control? Or do you have GPU-Z? Even the Local Folding@home web control should show you whether you do have 1 or 2 slots configured and running.

[MeeLee]

For a CPU, you'll need a dual core x86 CPU of preferably 2,5Ghz or higher.
Single core 1,4Ghz CPUs from the main page minimum requirements, no longer meet the deadlines.

For a GPU, I'm not sure if a GT 730 is at the lower limit of what's needed to finish WUs in time?