I take it that the "stock" is the official boinc app & the "chicken" app is optimized?

What is the difference between the two?

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Since, Simon let Seti use some of the optimizations in the new stock app, there's not as much difference as their used to be. The new stock app is faster than ever, but in most cases the new simon app is faster than stock still.

The optimized app is set for specific processors, and specific instructions. The stock app is a "one size fits all" kind of thing.

I take it that the "stock" is the official boinc app & the "chicken" app is optimized?

What is the difference between the two?

I would describe 'stock' as the official SETI app, but basically: yes, you're right.

Differences:
stock - One size fits all. For any given operating system (Windows, Linux, Darwin etc.), there's just one stock app, and it runs on all processors (CPUs) you might find running that operating system (in theory - there have been occasional glitches). Automatically supplied by the project. Automatically updated by the project - the perfit 'fit and forget' choice.

chicken - As you say, optimized. Only available for certain platforms - most commonly, Windows and Linux. (Darwin - Apple Macs - have their own optimization). Each variant of 'chicken' is designed to work on just one class of CPU: you have to choose the right one (if you get it wrong, it may completely fail to run). Has to be installed by hand, and additional configuration files have to be prepared and installed. Every time there's a change at the project, you have to repeat the manual installation steps - there's no automatic upgrading. The perfect choice for addicts and fiddlers.

Oh, and the main difference - the chicken apps are faster. Much faster.

[quote
chicken - As you say, optimized. Only available for certain platforms - most commonly, Windows and Linux. (Darwin - Apple Macs - have their own optimization). Each variant of 'chicken' is designed to work on just one class of CPU: you have to choose the right one (if you get it wrong, it may completely fail to run). Has to be installed by hand, and additional configuration files have to be prepared and installed. Every time there's a change at the project, you have to repeat the manual installation steps - there's no automatic upgrading. The perfect choice for addicts and fiddlers.

Oh, and the main difference - the chicken apps are faster. Much faster.[/quote]

Thanks guys.

I tried it once, & got it wrong.

Is there a thread/site/page that explains (clearly) on how to apply the "chickens"?

Would like to try without upsetting systems.

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Its not necessary to edit anything by yourself. Just stop BOINC, copy the contents
from the Folder "Files to install" (included in the zip archive) in your Project Folder
(setiathome.berkeley.edu) in your Boinc Folder. Thats all to do. Now start BOINC
and have fun with the new incredible speed enhancement.

Helli

Its not necessary to edit anything by yourself. Just stop BOINC, copy the contents
from the Folder "Files to install" (included in the zip archive) in your Project Folder
(setiathome.berkeley.edu) in your Boinc Folder. Thats all to do. Now start BOINC
and have fun with the new incredible speed enhancement.

Helli

Thanks Helli.

Any suggestions as to which one to go for?

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For your AMD-Farm with Windows XP use this version,
those is also applicable with Vista x86 if necessary:

http://calbe.dw70.de/2.4/2.85/2.4v_Windows_x32_SSE2_AMD.zip

Helli

For your AMD-Farm with Windows XP use this version,
those is also applicable with Vista x86 if necessary:

http://calbe.dw70.de/2.4/2.85/2.4v_Windows_x32_SSE2_AMD.zip

Helli

Thanks, have just downloaded it. Will let you know how I got on shortly.

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Last time round, Simon made an automatic installer which by all accounts did a pretty good job. He must be tied up in something else at the moment, because he hasn't been around for a couple of weeks, but I'm sure it's on his 'to do' list once he's back in circulation. And now Crunch3r seems to have solved the Vista problem, the automatic installer has hopefully moved just that little bit nearer the top of the list.

If you don't want to wait until then, then the manual process is:

1) Work out what your processor can do - use CPU-Z, and look for the list of capabilities like SSSE3, SSE3, SSE2, SSE, MMX (read that list as 'first is best' - CPU-Z puts them in the opposite order).

2) Note which manufacturer made your processor - almost certainly Intel or AMD.

3a) If you're running anything except 32-bit Microsoft Windows Vista, go to Simon's site at lunatics.at - links in the sticky threads at the top of this forum. Use the information you gathered at (1) and (2) to choose the right application for your particular CPU. Download it. You'll also need to download the free file de-compressor "7-zip" - the links may still be on Simon's download page, or they may have got lost in the hurry of the last reorganisation. If you can't see a download link, A Well Known Search Engine will find it (and CPU-Z) for you. Install 7-zip, use it to decompress the chicken download, and look for instructions and a folder called 'files to install' Copy the contents of 'files to install' (3 files) to your working SETI/BOINC folder - the default is 'C:\\Program Files\\BOINC\\projects\\setiathome.berkeley.edu'. Shut down BOINC completely, and re-start it - you should be finished (no configuration file editing needed in this route).

3b) If you are running 32-bit Microsoft Windows Vista, or you want the absolutely fastest version, go instead to Crunch3r's site listed in the same sticky thread. Use the information you gathered at (1) and (2) to choose the right application for your particular CPU. Download it. Use either WinZip, one of the other popular decompressers - or even the operating system, if you have a recent version of windows - to decompress the files. Again, look for a folder called 'files to install'. If you are running stock at the moment, just copy the three files, the same as the instructions for Simon's download. If you are running anything except stock, modify the file 'app_info.xml' according to the instructions in my sticky thread, and then copy all three files (including the modified app_info.xml file) to the SETI/BOINC folder as before. Stop and restart BOINC.

That's about as far as I can boil the process down. If the instructions still seem daunting, then maybe optimization is not for you until you've had a chance to do a bit more reading, and got a bit more confident about manipulating the inner workings of your computer. Optimization does involve taking some responsibility for you own actions, both now and in the future, and I wouldn't want to make it too easy, LOL!

Thanks, have just downloaded it. Will let you know how I got on shortly.

Just installed it on my X2, everything seems okay. Will it work on the other systems?

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Yes, just install it an all of your AMD machines. :-)

Helli

I take it that the "stock" is the official boinc app & the "chicken" app is optimized?

What is the difference between the two?

I would describe 'stock' as the official SETI app, but basically: yes, you're right.

Differences:
stock - One size fits all. For any given operating system (Windows, Linux, Darwin etc.), there's just one stock app, and it runs on all processors (CPUs) you might find running that operating system (in theory - there have been occasional glitches). Automatically supplied by the project. Automatically updated by the project - the perfit 'fit and forget' choice.

chicken - As you say, optimized. Only available for certain platforms - most commonly, Windows and Linux. (Darwin - Apple Macs - have their own optimization). Each variant of 'chicken' is designed to work on just one class of CPU: you have to choose the right one (if you get it wrong, it may completely fail to run). Has to be installed by hand, and additional configuration files have to be prepared and installed. Every time there's a change at the project, you have to repeat the manual installation steps - there's no automatic upgrading. The perfect choice for addicts and fiddlers.

Oh, and the main difference - the chicken apps are faster. Much faster.

I've just bitten the Bullet, and gone and installed Chicken 2.4v, (37mins now)
this machine has only run stock up until now, what with the Vista 32bit
problems, It's 64bit really, but intend to finish CPDN before upgrading
Boinc to 64bit, 1452hrs & 1680hrs to go, might be a while!
RAC was hovering around 415 on 2.15, and 500 on 2.27, with Beta also on 500,
I reckon it'll take a while before it shows.

Claggy.

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Optimization does involve taking some responsibility for you own actions, both now and in the future, and I wouldn't want to make it too easy, LOL!

Edit - Helli beat me to it with the particular version for your particular computer(s), but I hope these more general instructions are useful for anyone else contemplating the same thing.

Many thanks Richard. To date, that has been one of the best replies I've ever received to a technical question (Truth, I don't believe in flattery).

As a system builder, I have no problems building or installing software.

Using software is a different kettle of fish.

Many thanks to you both.

PJ

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Richard, your explanations are fantastic, correct and interesting as always. Thanks
for your incredible engagment. But the main crunchers, i assume, are "On-Click" Cruncher.
People who only want to upgrade, not interesting in internals. ;-)

Helli

Thanks, both. Your encouragement made it worth going back and editing (one of) the remaining typo. I've also edited out the footnote, in case a mod wants to move it into a sticky thread (hint, hint).

The trouble with 'one-click' crunchers who don't want to engage with the project, is that their dis-engagement can come back to haunt them in the months and years to come. You'll have seen the fuss over the weekend over people who haven't, for one reason or another, upgraded their optimisations yet. That's why I always try to explain a little to the background of what I'm suggesting, and why it might work the way it does: hopefully, a little understanding makes for less need for further support in the future, and I can go out for that walk I've been looking forward to all morning!

But the short, snappy answer is also useful and welcome, and between us I reckon we've got the bases covered.

Richard, your explanations are fantastic, correct and interesting as always. Thanks
for your incredible engagment. But the main crunchers, i assume, are "On-Click" Cruncher.
People who only want to upgrade, not interesting in internals. ;-)

Helli

My X2 & AMD 2000 running great - WOW - the difference!

Unfortunately, my XP1600 doesn't like "Chicken" prefers "stock" - it completely messed up - Oh well...

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The XP's don't have SSE2 capability. That's why, it's only for processors that are SSE2 capable. per instructions, you should be running cpuz on all hosts to determine their capabilities, and then match that to the app.

Richard, your explanations are fantastic, correct and interesting as always. Thanks
for your incredible engagment. But the main crunchers, i assume, are "On-Click" Cruncher.
People who only want to upgrade, not interesting in internals. ;-)

Helli

My X2 & AMD 2000 running great - WOW - the difference!

Unfortunately, my XP1600 doesn't like "Chicken" prefers "stock" - it completely messed up - Oh well...

Are you sure you have the correct app for the 1600? You might try running cpuz on it and check exactly which instruction sets it supports. They *do* vary from one cpu to another so if you are trying to install the same app on all this may be your problem.

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Jim

Some people plan their life out and look back at the wealth they've had.
Others live life day by day and look back at the wealth of experiences and enjoyment they've had.

Are you sure you have the correct app for the 1600? You might try running cpuz on it and check exactly which instruction sets it supports. They *do* vary from one cpu to another so if you are trying to install the same app on all this may be your problem.

Thanks Jim, will do so.

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ups...a quick look in the datasheet shows this
old AMD Athlons support only "MMX, SSE and 3DNow!".

Sorry Sirius_B, for these AMDs you have to use the
SSE version of the chicken app:

http://calbe.dw70.de/2.4/2.85/2.4v_Windows_x32_SSE.zip

Thanks Astro, Jim for the hint.

Helli

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A loooong time ago: First Credits after SETI@home Restart