Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

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Nert
Posts: 162
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:46 pm

Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by Nert »

I'm planning on making some changes to my main folding system. Currently I'm running Linux Mint 17 with a GTX 750 TI and a GTX 970. I've been saving my pennies and I'm close to buying this GTX 1080 hybrid :
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product. ... -_-Product

The plan is to remove the 750 TI and add in the 1080. As this represents a pretty big expense, I'd like to get this right. Motherboard is a z97 Pro with an i7 processor in it. Power Supply is 850 watt Nvidia Gold. I'm thinking that this should be okay for the two new cards, as they will draw < 400 watts combined. The case is a Fractal Define R5. As nearly as I can tell, there should be enough room in the case to accommodate the card and the radiator.

My current video driver is 370.28. Will this driver version work with the 1080 ? Is there a better performing / more stable version that I should install ? I If I need a different video driver, I'll plan on installing it before I get the new card and do the hardware installation. (trying to minimize the number of things that I change at one time). I'm hoping that this will be as simple as setting FAH to finish work units, Install the new card and re-install FAH.

Any thoughts or suggestions ?

Thanks
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ChristianVirtual
Posts: 1596
Joined: Tue May 28, 2013 12:14 pm
Location: Tokyo

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by ChristianVirtual »

Sounds like a good plan.

1) Check if your PSU has enough 6/8 PIn connector for PCIe cards like GPUs. Stay away from MOLEX extender/Converter.
2) get the latest Linux driver from nV site (not sure right now what version ...)
3) reinstall FAH can save you some grey hair; not always required; but always the easier way to get the HW detected.
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SteveWillis
Posts: 409
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2016 12:42 am
Hardware configuration: PC 1:
Linux Mint 17.3
three gtx 1080 GPUs One on a powered header
Motherboard = [MB-AM3-AS-SB-990FXR2] qty 1 Asus Sabertooth 990FX(+59.99)
CPU = [CPU-AM3-FX-8320BR] qty 1 AMD FX 8320 Eight Core 3.5GHz(+41.99)

PC2:
Linux Mint 18
Open air case
Motherboard: ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD
AMD FD6300WMHKBOX FX-6300 6-Core Processor Black Edition with Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan
three gtx 1080,
one gtx 1080 TI on a powered header

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by SteveWillis »

If you update your driver be sure and get one before 378.13 as I believe all the Linux 64 bit drivers which support the 1080 TI cards still include the hot fix and will reduce your PPD. I'm checking every day for a new driver to support the TI.
Be sure that your GPUs.txt file is recent enough to support the 1080. fah.stanford.edu/file-releases/public/GPUs.txt Be sure and use http as if you use https it will require a password that you won't have.
Be sure and remove the folding slot for your 750 TI before you remove the old card and then add a new slot for the 1080 after you install it. Otherwise you will have a big headache.

I don't know what method you use to update your driver on Mint but what works very well for me is to do the following. I screwed up my system once doing a manual install.

Code: Select all

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:graphics-drivers/ppa 
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:xorg-edgers/ppa  # in the output you get from this it warns to remove before doing a new Mint version upgrade.  I always do a clean install so it's never really come up
sudo apt-get update  #not totally sure this step is necessary but I always do it
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt-get install nvidia-xxx  #without the extension
Then go into driver manager in system settings, select the nouveau version, apply changes, DO NOT BOOT, select the new version and apply changes, then re-boot.
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1080 and 1080TI GPUs on Linux Mint
Nert
Posts: 162
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2014 7:46 pm

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by Nert »

ChristianVirtual and SteveWillis,

Thanks for the input. I looked in the Power Supply manual and it looks like I have adequate plugs and cables. This PS has 4 VGA modular connectors. It came with different cables to plug into the power supply. These include "2x - PCIE 6 + 2 pin" and "2x - PCIE 6+2 pin + 6 pin" I'm using one of these already for the 970, but can't remember which one I used. I will have to do some research about what each one of these connector types is used for, and which one I need for the new card. For now it looks like I have adequate ports and cables.

I get sweaty palms every time I think about changing video drivers. As a result I tend not to make changes unless I have to. I really should take the time to fully understand what the process involves in Linux. In looking at the Nvidia site, it appears that 370.28 supports the 1080. It's old enough to avoids the performance problems resulting from hot fixes that solved other problems. Right now I'm thinking I'll install the hardware only and leave the video driver as is and see if I can get everything to work. If I can, then I'll circle back and explore driver versions that might have better folding performance.

I will plan on uninstalling FAH before installing the card and reinstalling it afterwards. My hair is already gray, so maybe this will prevent me from pulling out what I have left :D
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bruce
Posts: 20910
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:13 pm
Location: So. Cal.

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by bruce »

Nert wrote:I get sweaty palms every time I think about changing video drivers. As a result I tend not to make changes unless I have to.
I do too. My favorite Linux hardware is presently folding with WIndows because I corrupted the GUI (again) installing drivers and I haven't had time to rebuild.
My hair is already gray, so maybe this will prevent me from pulling out what I have left :D
:wink: :!:
SteveWillis
Posts: 409
Joined: Fri Apr 15, 2016 12:42 am
Hardware configuration: PC 1:
Linux Mint 17.3
three gtx 1080 GPUs One on a powered header
Motherboard = [MB-AM3-AS-SB-990FXR2] qty 1 Asus Sabertooth 990FX(+59.99)
CPU = [CPU-AM3-FX-8320BR] qty 1 AMD FX 8320 Eight Core 3.5GHz(+41.99)

PC2:
Linux Mint 18
Open air case
Motherboard: ASUS Crosshair V Formula-Z AM3+ AMD 990FX SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX AMD
AMD FD6300WMHKBOX FX-6300 6-Core Processor Black Edition with Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO - CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan
three gtx 1080,
one gtx 1080 TI on a powered header

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by SteveWillis »

I do too. My favorite Linux hardware is presently folding with WIndows because I corrupted the GUI (again) installing drivers and I haven't had time to rebuild.
Yeah, that's what I did and why I now use the method described above to install drivers. Works every time. No muss, no fuss.
Image

1080 and 1080TI GPUs on Linux Mint
Aurum
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:15 pm
Location: The Great Basin

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by Aurum »

SteveWillis wrote:Be sure and remove the folding slot for your 750 TI before you remove the old card and then add a new slot for the 1080 after you install it. Otherwise you will have a big headache.
Every time I forget to do this I have to completely uninstall F@H including data and then reinstall from scratch to get it folding again.
I get sweaty palms thinking about building a Linux folding rig. I keep thinking about it for two reasons: foldy keeps saying Linux folds 10% faster and if I'm going to experiment with the Intel Xeon Phi Coprocessor 7120P looks like I must run Linux.
I'm starting a new build today so today's the day. Hmm, Mint vs Unbuntu vs Red Hat, etc :?:

Anyone know if using ECC DDR4 performs better with F@H :?:
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bruce
Posts: 20910
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:13 pm
Location: So. Cal.

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by bruce »

In my experience, Windows OpenCL for NVidia folds 10% slower than Linux. There's very little, if any, degradation for CPU (AVX or SSE) based projects.
FldngForGrandparents
Posts: 70
Joined: Sun Feb 28, 2016 10:06 pm

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by FldngForGrandparents »

Aurum wrote:
SteveWillis wrote:Be sure and remove the folding slot for your 750 TI before you remove the old card and then add a new slot for the 1080 after you install it. Otherwise you will have a big headache.
Every time I forget to do this I have to completely uninstall F@H including data and then reinstall from scratch to get it folding again.
I get sweaty palms thinking about building a Linux folding rig. I keep thinking about it for two reasons: foldy keeps saying Linux folds 10% faster and if I'm going to experiment with the Intel Xeon Phi Coprocessor 7120P looks like I must run Linux.
I'm starting a new build today so today's the day. Hmm, Mint vs Unbuntu vs Red Hat, etc :?:

Anyone know if using ECC DDR4 performs better with F@H :?:
Ubuntu 14.04 or 16.04.
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Dedicated to my grandparents who have passed away from Alzheimer's

Dedicated folding rig on Linux Mint 19.1:
2 - GTX 980 OC +200
1 - GTX 980 Ti OC +20
4 - GTX 1070 FE OC +200
3 - GTX 1080 OC +140
1 - GTX 1080Ti OC +120
bruce
Posts: 20910
Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2007 10:13 pm
Location: So. Cal.

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by bruce »

Aurum wrote:Anyone know if using ECC DDR4 performs better with F@H :?:
Performance of FAH has very little to do with variations in memory
Aurum
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:15 pm
Location: The Great Basin

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by Aurum »

I installed Linux Mint 18.1 on a new build with an EVGA 1080 Ti. I installed fahclient_7.4.4_amd64.deb and the Web Control starts and lets me create my identity but it only finds my Xeon and not my graphics card. Mint installed Nvidia driver 375.22.
When I try to install fahcontrol_7.4.4-1_all.deb the Package Installed fails with: Error: Dependency is not satisfiable: python-support(>=0.90)
I previously let Mint install all 268 upgrades it listed.
No F@H icon appeared on the desktop and I had to search to find fah*

I then tried the Manual Instructions and was told python-support is not installed & python-gnome2 is not installed.
No idea how to install them...
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Aurum
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:15 pm
Location: The Great Basin

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by Aurum »

SteveWillis wrote:What worked for me on linux mint 18 was:
#fah folding at home python fix
wget http://launchpadlibrarian.net/109052632 ... 15_all.deb
sudo dpkg -i python-support_1.0.15_all.deb
I tried this thinking it was one line, but maybe it's supposed to be two lines. It's hung trying to connect to web page...
Two lines got FAHControl installed and running, but, it won't add my gpu.
Rebooted and now it sees 1080 Ti and FAHControl let me add it and it's folding. :shock:
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Aurum
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:15 pm
Location: The Great Basin

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by Aurum »

Strange...When I first installed F@H 7.4.4 after a new Mint 18.1 install the CPU DLed a WU and worked fine. Then after I installed the python support the GPU DLed a WU and has worked fine since but the CPU stopped working. All I get is this:

Code: Select all

13:24:52:WU00:FS00:Connecting to 171.67.108.45:8080
13:24:52:WARNING:WU00:FS00:Failed to get assignment from '171.67.108.45:8080': Empty work server assignment
13:24:52:WU00:FS00:Connecting to 171.64.65.35:80
13:24:52:WARNING:WU00:FS00:Failed to get assignment from '171.64.65.35:80': Empty work server assignment
13:24:52:ERROR:WU00:FS00:Exception: Could not get an assignment
13:27:29:WU00:FS00:Connecting to 171.67.108.45:8080
13:27:30:WARNING:WU00:FS00:Failed to get assignment from '171.67.108.45:8080': Empty work server assignment
13:27:30:WU00:FS00:Connecting to 171.64.65.35:80
13:27:31:WARNING:WU00:FS00:Failed to get assignment from '171.64.65.35:80': Empty work server assignment
13:27:31:ERROR:WU00:FS00:Exception: Could not get an assignment
13:31:43:WU00:FS00:Connecting to 171.67.108.45:8080
13:31:44:WARNING:WU00:FS00:Failed to get assignment from '171.67.108.45:8080': Empty work server assignment
13:31:44:WU00:FS00:Connecting to 171.64.65.35:80
13:31:44:WARNING:WU00:FS00:Failed to get assignment from '171.64.65.35:80': Empty work server assignment
13:31:44:ERROR:WU00:FS00:Exception: Could not get an assignment
13:38:35:WU00:FS00:Connecting to 171.67.108.45:8080
13:38:36:WARNING:WU00:FS00:Failed to get assignment from '171.67.108.45:8080': Empty work server assignment
13:38:36:WU00:FS00:Connecting to 171.64.65.35:80
13:38:37:WARNING:WU00:FS00:Failed to get assignment from '171.64.65.35:80': Empty work server assignment
13:38:37:ERROR:WU00:FS00:Exception: Could not get an assignment
My Win7 rigs are all getting CPU & GPU WUs with no issues.
Expert/Extra client options has several lines I've not seen before:
daemon true
child true
pid-file /var/run/fahclient.pid
run-as fahclient
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Joe_H
Site Admin
Posts: 7856
Joined: Tue Apr 21, 2009 4:41 pm
Hardware configuration: Mac Pro 2.8 quad 12 GB smp4
MacBook Pro 2.9 i7 8 GB smp2
Location: W. MA

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by Joe_H »

What is the CPU setting that you are using on your CPU slot?
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iMac 2.8 i7 12 GB smp8, Mac Pro 2.8 quad 12 GB smp6
MacBook Pro 2.9 i7 8 GB smp3
Aurum
Posts: 296
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2015 3:15 pm
Location: The Great Basin

Re: Adding a 1080 Card to Linux Mint

Post by Aurum »

Joe_H wrote:What is the CPU setting that you are using on your CPU slot?
It's a Xeon E5-4640 v3 @ 1.90GHz with 12 cores and 24 threads. On the Slots/Configure folding slots tab I've tried setting the number of threads to use for folding to -1 and 22. Using -1 FAH sets it to 23.

BTW, I just picked Linux Mint because it came up first on google search and I hadn't seen the posts here saying use Ubuntu x.xx. I'm perfectly willing to replace it with a better version of Linux before I propagate it across the farm.
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