Adding a 2nd GTX 460 advice in BOINC configuration requested, please

dunx
dunx
Joined: 13 Aug 10
Posts: 119
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Topic 195540

As title,

Would like to add a 2nd GTX 460 to my BOINC platform, since my trusty Q6600 has died.

Advice, links to relevant threads, and all BOINC set-up info, gratefully received.

dunx

Jord
Joined: 26 Jan 05
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Adding a 2nd GTX 460 advice in BOINC configuration requested, pl

BOINC doesn't need any special setup. It'll detect the GPU after you installed the drivers correctly. You'll have to put the card into the machine and separately install the drivers for it, even while you already have the same drivers installed for your other videocard. And that is all, really.

Upon a next BOINC start, you should see two GPUs detected, not just the one.
You will need to exit & restart BOINC to see the difference, as GPU detection only happens on BOINC startup.

dunx
dunx
Joined: 13 Aug 10
Posts: 119
Credit: 53470527
RAC: 0

Thanks for the speedy reply,

Thanks for the speedy reply, whilst being a science "fan" I'm no expert on BOINC, I can't tell you quite how annoyed I am that my GTX 460 has done next to nothing for months because of the (nameless) issues associated with BOINC/CUDA & Einstein@Home...

But at least I don't let it bother me, it's not like I'm at work is it ?

dunx

mikey
mikey
Joined: 22 Jan 05
Posts: 11889
Credit: 1828187831
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RE: Thanks for the speedy

Quote:

Thanks for the speedy reply, whilst being a science "fan" I'm no expert on BOINC, I can't tell you quite how annoyed I am that my GTX 460 has done next to nothing for months because of the (nameless) issues associated with BOINC/CUDA & Einstein@Home...

But at least I don't let it bother me, it's not like I'm at work is it ?

dunx

Einstein has been working on a new version of the Cuda software for awhile now but it is not yet ready for release. It has to give good numbers that are reliable and consistent and not cause problems, supposedly they are close but I have no idea if that means this year, next year, or when.

Have you thought of contributing to a different Boinc project until they do get it fixed? There are several that can use your card and would appreciate your assistance.

europa
europa
Joined: 29 Oct 10
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While folks will often

While folks will often mention Collatz as a possibility since it seems to have a very reliable GPU app, it is also an app that seems to be happy with any GPU, not just a Fermi card.

If the topic interests you, MilkyWay@Home's GPU app does call for a Fermi card. I run Linux and don't know if the app would also run under Win.

Seti@Home has a Fermi-level app but it is currently only for Windows.

The following link can give you some idea of the GPU requirements for some of the BOINC projects.

http://boinc.berkeley.edu/wiki/GPU_computing

Regards,
Steve

dunx
dunx
Joined: 13 Aug 10
Posts: 119
Credit: 53470527
RAC: 0

Well not very happy with the

Well not very happy with the outcome...

Adding a 2 nd card slowed both to 50% throughput, meaning it was pointless adding the second card. It also slowed CPU tasks as well.

Also the Nvidia drivers crashed far too often and I was left with a rash of Compute errors on tasks that hadn't even started.

So overall, 260.99 is a bust with BOINC on my machine's hardware... god forbid I try learning Linux for "fun".

Anyone know how I could force BOINC/E@H to run 6 CPU + 2 ( CPU + GPU ) tasks ?

dunx

P.S. Cheap six hour old GTX 460 anyone ?

mikey
mikey
Joined: 22 Jan 05
Posts: 11889
Credit: 1828187831
RAC: 203187

RE: Well not very happy

Quote:

Well not very happy with the outcome...

Adding a 2 nd card slowed both to 50% throughput, meaning it was pointless adding the second card. It also slowed CPU tasks as well.

Also the Nvidia drivers crashed far too often and I was left with a rash of Compute errors on tasks that hadn't even started.

So overall, 260.99 is a bust with BOINC on my machine's hardware... god forbid I try learning Linux for "fun".

Anyone know how I could force BOINC/E@H to run 6 CPU + 2 ( CPU + GPU ) tasks ?

dunx

P.S. Cheap six hour old GTX 460 anyone ?

Have you tried this yet:
"In such a case one needs to set the option 1 in the cc_config.xml."

DISCLAIMER.........you can mess up your Boinc setup ALOT and VERY BADLY if you are not VERY CAREFUL in dealing with this file!!!!! If you don't know what you are doing DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Also did you load the video drivers once for the 1st card and then after restarting the machine load them AGAIN for the 2nd card?

Jord
Joined: 26 Jan 05
Posts: 2952
Credit: 5779100
RAC: 0

RE: cc_config.xml DISCLAIM

Quote:

cc_config.xml

DISCLAIMER.........you can mess up your Boinc setup ALOT and VERY BADLY if you are not VERY CAREFUL in dealing with this file!!!!! If you don't know what you are doing DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


cc_config.xml is harmless, in most flags. I think you mean editing client_state.xml and client_state_prev.xml ... now ruining those will set you back a lot of days. ;)

P.S: cc_config stands for core client configuration. If editing it, or working with it would mess up your BOINC, it wouldn't be a good file to make configuration changes with. It's really not that scary a file. You'll need some knowledge of how BOINC works, to be able to use it correctly, but using it incorrectly won't immediately break your BOINC, or have BOINC wrath evil havoc upon you. :-D

dunx
dunx
Joined: 13 Aug 10
Posts: 119
Credit: 53470527
RAC: 0

Thanks guys, will summon up

Thanks guys, will summon up some courage over the next few days holiday !

Oddly, it seemed that the system was using the correct drivers, but as for forcing them... W7 beat me to that I think.

What is the best program to alter/edit such BOINC files ?

I do this for fun ?

LOL

dunx

P.S. My RAC has trebled despite losing my Q6600 to the wrath of BOINC...

Jord
Joined: 26 Jan 05
Posts: 2952
Credit: 5779100
RAC: 0

RE: What is the best

Quote:
What is the best program to alter/edit such BOINC files ?


Windows Notepad. The XML files used aren't using true XML language.
Make sure you save as "All Files" and with ANSI encoding.

mikey
mikey
Joined: 22 Jan 05
Posts: 11889
Credit: 1828187831
RAC: 203187

RE: RE: cc_config.xml DI

Quote:
Quote:

cc_config.xml

DISCLAIMER.........you can mess up your Boinc setup ALOT and VERY BADLY if you are not VERY CAREFUL in dealing with this file!!!!! If you don't know what you are doing DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


cc_config.xml is harmless, in most flags. I think you mean editing client_state.xml and client_state_prev.xml ... now ruining those will set you back a lot of days. ;)

P.S: cc_config stands for core client configuration. If editing it, or working with it would mess up your BOINC, it wouldn't be a good file to make configuration changes with. It's really not that scary a file. You'll need some knowledge of how BOINC works, to be able to use it correctly, but using it incorrectly won't immediately break your BOINC, or have BOINC wrath evil havoc upon you. :-D

Thanks Jord you ARE correct, again!!!

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