Folding Forum

Hi all, I've been a long time folder with an iMac, but I've now moved to PC, and therefore, now have GPU folding for the first time.

What's the optimal slot set up for maximum PPD with a Ryzen 7 3700x + GTX1060? Is there any advantage to not running both at -1 slots and letting the client do its thing?

Because of the Quick Return Bonus, the more threads on the same work unit the better. I would recommend the default settings since the CPU slot will use 15 threads and that works most of the time. If you ever get a work unit that fails with an error about domain decomposition, temporarily set the slot to 12 CPUs until the work unit finishes.

I am also running a 3700x on win 10 with a RTX 2080ti. You really need to keep a full core free to feed the GPU and then you must consider that for CPU the some core numbers are not liked by the software. I have fiddled with different combinations but have settled on 12 cores on CPU and the other 4 'free' for the GPU and whatever else. This is stable and effective, I suppose I could run a 2nd instance with 2 cores to try and soak up the remaining capacity but have settled on the 12 cores plus GPU.

kiore wrote:I am also running a 3700x on win 10 with a RTX 2080ti. You really need to keep a full core free to feed the GPU and then you must consider that for CPU the some core numbers are not liked by the software. I have fiddled with different combinations but have settled on 12 cores on CPU and the other 4 'free' for the GPU and whatever else. This is stable and effective, I suppose I could run a 2nd instance with 2 cores to try and soak up the remaining capacity but have settled on the 12 cores plus GPU.

So you settled on this set up to maximize your PPD or to deal with stability issues?

crazzy88ss wrote:

kiore wrote:I am also running a 3700x on win 10 with a RTX 2080ti. You really need to keep a full core free to feed the GPU and then you must consider that for CPU the some core numbers are not liked by the software. I have fiddled with different combinations but have settled on 12 cores on CPU and the other 4 'free' for the GPU and whatever else. This is stable and effective, I suppose I could run a 2nd instance with 2 cores to try and soak up the remaining capacity but have settled on the 12 cores plus GPU.

So you settled on this set up to maximize your PPD or to deal with stability issues?

Both of these things, really to maximise my long term ppd on occasion a different allocation may make sense depending on the projects available but most work is done my the GPU so allowing it plenty of cpu resources reduces any possible bottle necks. You can play around with the settings and see for yourself, but I suggest this as an initial set up for a 24/7 folder. Adding a 2nd CPU instance at 2 or 3 cores could also be done with it set to finish to see how that works for you.

kiore wrote:

crazzy88ss wrote:

kiore wrote:I am also running a 3700x on win 10 with a RTX 2080ti. You really need to keep a full core free to feed the GPU and then you must consider that for CPU the some core numbers are not liked by the software. I have fiddled with different combinations but have settled on 12 cores on CPU and the other 4 'free' for the GPU and whatever else. This is stable and effective, I suppose I could run a 2nd instance with 2 cores to try and soak up the remaining capacity but have settled on the 12 cores plus GPU.

So you settled on this set up to maximize your PPD or to deal with stability issues?

Both of these things, really to maximise my long term ppd on occasion a different allocation may make sense depending on the projects available but most work is done my the GPU so allowing it plenty of cpu resources reduces any possible bottle necks. You can play around with the settings and see for yourself, but I suggest this as an initial set up for a 24/7 folder. Adding a 2nd CPU instance at 2 or 3 cores could also be done with it set to finish to see how that works for you.

Great tips, thanks. I'll give it a try. What level of PPD increase would you expect from these changes? 2%? 10%? Just curious how closely I need to watch the number.sd

Projects will vary so if you don't want to watch it too closely find a sweet spot where temperatures and fan noise aren't an issue and let it run.

If PPD is what matters, you could just install a second GPU, and disable CPU folding.

MeeLee wrote:If PPD is what matters, you could just install a second GPU, and disable CPU folding.

I've actually thought of that. I'll get to that down the road. My new rig has barely been running for 2 weeks now.

kiore wrote:Projects will vary so if you don't want to watch it too closely find a sweet spot where temperatures and fan noise aren't an issue and let it run.

Is "estimated TPF" a relevant way of bench-marking performance when making changes?

crazzy88ss wrote:

kiore wrote:Projects will vary so if you don't want to watch it too closely find a sweet spot where temperatures and fan noise aren't an issue and let it run.

Is "estimated TPF" a relevant way of bench-marking performance when making changes?

No because different project will vary wildly over TPF, I would use Points Per Day and heat/noise as my indicators, plus you may factor in how much interaction required. If you have all day to make minor adjustments you could maximise output but fine tuning, I prefer to have some leeway built in by general maximization rather than fine tuning every work unit I get. I power limit my GPU due to heat issues, on some units this not an issue and for others it is so if I watched every unit I could raise or lower the limitation to maximise each unit this really not workable as easy to forget to reset.