New PC not Folding as quickly

It seems that a lot of GPU problems revolve around specific versions of drivers. Though AMD has their own support structure, you can often learn from information reported by others who fold.

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Marky147
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:30 pm

New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by Marky147 »

Hi guys,

A family friend got me involved in things a while back, and I was accruing points at quite a decent rate. I had an average Dell PC, which had cost me about £450 back in 2010.

I would be solving a few units per day, and when I got back to the PC in the morning, it would usually say I was earning an average of ~8k points per day.

This new PC is a Quad Core, with a 1TB D:, and a 120SSD C:, but it seems to work much slower now than it did before, even though the PC is much more powerful than my old one.

I'll managed to catch him over a shortish period, even though he had about 600k points when I started, and now he's gone about 100k ahead since I got this PC a month ago, even though it's on all day every day.

Processor: AMD A8-6600K APU with Radeon (tm) HD Graphics 3.90 GHz
Installed Mem: 8.00GB (7.19GB usable)
System Type: 64-bit Operating System


Not sure if there is anything I have done to slow things down, or if there is something I need to do, so that it speeds up again.

I'm not very PC literate, even for someone who works from home...
ChristianVirtual
Posts: 1596
Joined: Tue May 28, 2013 12:14 pm
Location: Tokyo

Re: New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by ChristianVirtual »

Welcome to the Forum Marky147

First comes in mind when reading: new PC and lower points (assuming that's how you measure: slower) is the passkey. When you installed the new PC did you also reentered the old passkey you might had with the original Dell ? Without that you would not receive the Quick Return Bonus leading to a smaller point accumulation.

If the passkey is entered please share the first 100 lines of your log file so we can see more details about your configuration.
ImageImage
Please contribute your logs to http://ppd.fahmm.net
Marky147
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:30 pm

Re: New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by Marky147 »

Hey, Christian. Thanks.

Yes, it seems to work through units slower, and I seem to be allocated the 7520 work unit very frequently, which is one of the slower ones to process.

I'm part of a group within FAH, which that was setup by the original member, and I'm still contributing to that, and my old points score on the new PC.

This is where you realise how illiterate I am, because I'm not sure if this is exactly what you're asking for :oops:



*********************** Log Started 2015-09-17T19:46:35Z ***********************
19:46:35:************************* Folding@home Client *************************
19:46:35: Website: http://folding.stanford.edu/
19:46:35: Copyright: (c) 2009-2014 Stanford University
19:46:35: Author: Joseph Coffland <joseph@cauldrondevelopment.com>
19:46:35: Args:
19:46:35: Config: C:/Users/Mark/AppData/Roaming/FAHClient/config.xml
19:46:35:******************************** Build ********************************
19:46:35: Version: 7.4.4
19:46:35: Date: Mar 4 2014
19:46:35: Time: 20:26:54
19:46:35: SVN Rev: 4130
19:46:35: Branch: fah/trunk/client
19:46:35: Compiler: Intel(R) C++ MSVC 1500 mode 1200
19:46:35: Options: /TP /nologo /EHa /Qdiag-disable:4297,4103,1786,279 /Ox -arch:SSE
19:46:35: /QaxSSE2,SSE3,SSSE3,SSE4.1,SSE4.2 /Qopenmp /Qrestrict /MT /Qmkl
19:46:35: Platform: win32 XP
19:46:35: Bits: 32
19:46:35: Mode: Release
19:46:35:******************************* System ********************************
19:46:35: CPU: AMD A8-6600K APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics
19:46:35: CPU ID: AuthenticAMD Family 21 Model 19 Stepping 1
19:46:35: CPUs: 4
19:46:35: Memory: 7.20GiB
19:46:35: Free Memory: 5.98GiB
19:46:35: Threads: WINDOWS_THREADS
19:46:35: OS Version: 6.1
19:46:35: Has Battery: false
19:46:35: On Battery: false
19:46:35: UTC Offset: 1
19:46:35: PID: 3520
19:46:35: CWD: C:/Users/Mark/AppData/Roaming/FAHClient
19:46:35: OS: Windows 7 Home Premium
19:46:35: OS Arch: AMD64
19:46:35: GPUs: 1
19:46:35: GPU 0: ATI:5 Oland [Radeon HD 8570D]
19:46:35: CUDA: Not detected
19:46:35:Win32 Service: false
19:46:35:***********************************************************************
19:46:35:<config>
19:46:35: <!-- Network -->
19:46:35: <proxy v=':8080'/>
19:46:35:
19:46:35: <!-- Slot Control -->
19:46:35: <power v='FULL'/>
19:46:35:
19:46:35: <!-- User Information -->
19:46:35: <team v='226823'/>
19:46:35: <user v='Marky147'/>
19:46:35:
19:46:35: <!-- Folding Slots -->
19:46:35: <slot id='0' type='CPU'/>
19:46:35:</config>
19:46:35:Trying to access database...
19:46:36:Successfully acquired database lock
19:46:36:Enabled folding slot 00: READY cpu:4
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:Starting
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:Running FahCore: "C:\Program Files (x86)\FAHClient/FAHCoreWrapper.exe" C:/Users/Mark/AppData/Roaming/FAHClient/cores/web.stanford.edu/~pande/Win32/AMD64/Core_a4.fah/FahCore_a4.exe -dir 00 -suffix 01 -version 704 -lifeline 3520 -checkpoint 15 -np 4
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:Started FahCore on PID 4428
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:Core PID:4508
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:FahCore 0xa4 started
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:0xa4:
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:0xa4:*------------------------------*
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Folding@Home Gromacs GB Core
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Version 2.27 (Dec. 15, 2010)
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:0xa4:
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Preparing to commence simulation
19:46:36:WU00:FS00:0xa4:- Ensuring status. Please wait.
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:- Looking at optimizations...
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:- Working with standard loops on this execution.
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:- Previous termination of core was improper.
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:- Files status OK
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:- Expanded 2283472 -> 3242996 (decompressed 142.0 percent)
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Called DecompressByteArray: compressed_data_size=2283472 data_size=3242996, decompressed_data_size=3242996 diff=0
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:- Digital signature verified
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Project: 7520 (Run 36, Clone 18, Gen 109)
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:
19:46:46:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Entering M.D.
19:46:52:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Using Gromacs checkpoints
19:46:52:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Mapping NT from 4 to 4
19:46:52:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Resuming from checkpoint
19:46:53:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Verified 00/wudata_01.log
19:46:53:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Verified 00/wudata_01.trr
19:46:53:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Verified 00/wudata_01.xtc
19:46:53:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Verified 00/wudata_01.edr
19:46:53:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 24470 out of 500000 steps (4%)
19:48:25:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 25000 out of 500000 steps (5%)
20:08:51:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 30000 out of 500000 steps (6%)
20:23:43:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 35000 out of 500000 steps (7%)
20:47:10:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 40000 out of 500000 steps (8%)
21:09:05:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 45000 out of 500000 steps (9%)
21:33:01:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 50000 out of 500000 steps (10%)
22:05:09:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 55000 out of 500000 steps (11%)
22:22:15:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 60000 out of 500000 steps (12%)
22:40:29:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 65000 out of 500000 steps (13%)
23:08:45:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 70000 out of 500000 steps (14%)
23:27:44:WU00:FS00:0xa4:Completed 75000 out of 500000 steps (15%)
23:58:07:29:127.0.0.1:New Web connection
23:58:18:FS00:Shutting core down
23:58:21:FS00:Shutting core down
23:58:21:FS00:Shutting core down
23:58:27:WU00:FS00:FahCore returned: INTERRUPTED (102 = 0x66)
23:58:27:WU00:FS00:Starting
23:58:27:WARNING:WU00:FS00:Changed SMP threads from 4 to 3 this can cause some work units to fail
foldy
Posts: 2061
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:43 pm
Hardware configuration: Folding@Home Client 7.6.13 (1 GPU slots)
Windows 7 64bit
Intel Core i5 2500k@4Ghz
Nvidia gtx 1080ti driver 441

Re: New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by foldy »

You only fold with you CPU. If you want you can also fold with your GPU ATI:5 Oland [Radeon HD 8570D].
You need to configure a gpu slot and will get much more points per day.
ChristianVirtual
Posts: 1596
Joined: Tue May 28, 2013 12:14 pm
Location: Tokyo

Re: New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by ChristianVirtual »

first: in case thats the full config log please register for a passkey: http://folding.stanford.edu/home/faq/faq-passkey/ after 10 WU finished with the donor/passkey combination you will receive a so call "Quick Return Bonus" leading to higher points; in case you return the WU result before the preferred deadline. Best way: don't interrupt a started WU (and try to avoid changing the CPU setting in between)

I'm not an AMD guy so I can't judge if those 20min per frame is ok; but a WU of this project took around 11min / frame on my Intel Xeon as CPU:3 (under Linux). So your number don't look totally off. Also depend on if you have lots additional programs running at the same time (e.g. Browser, videos, games).
Do you have by chance a log file from the former system and what project/times those got ?
ImageImage
Please contribute your logs to http://ppd.fahmm.net
Marky147
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:30 pm

Re: New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by Marky147 »

I just obtained a passkey, and once I entered it, the estimated points from the current WU went from 300 to 1200. And daily numbers from around 800ppd to 3000ppd.

I remember when I used to sit at the desk each day, it would usually be showing I was getting ~8k ppd, so I guess the passkey may have been what was missing.

I do usually have a few programmes running when I'm at the desk, and often will be streaming something, which will obviously slow the folding down, too.

Will see how things go over the next few weeks, and then should be able to see if the points improve.

Thanks Christian
Marky147
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:30 pm

Re: New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by Marky147 »

foldy wrote:You only fold with you CPU. If you want you can also fold with your GPU ATI:5 Oland [Radeon HD 8570D].
You need to configure a gpu slot and will get much more points per day.
That's definitely not something I know how to do, is there an idiots guide to configuring slots on the forum?

If so, I'll have a look, and try to set one up this week.


Thanks everyone for all your help, much appreciated :)
7im
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Re: New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by 7im »

How to provide enough information to get helpful support
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.
foldy
Posts: 2061
Joined: Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:43 pm
Hardware configuration: Folding@Home Client 7.6.13 (1 GPU slots)
Windows 7 64bit
Intel Core i5 2500k@4Ghz
Nvidia gtx 1080ti driver 441

Re: New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by foldy »

Add additional GPU slot:
http://folding.stanford.edu/home/guide/ ... uide#ntoc8
Marky147
Posts: 5
Joined: Sat Sep 19, 2015 10:30 pm

Re: New PC not Folding as quickly

Post by Marky147 »

Cheers again guys, much appreciated!
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