Coming back to SETI

I stopped doing SETI a couple years ago, my computer just couldn't handle doing it (was pretty old), now I'm back after doing a full upgrade to an i7 build.

I seem to remember a way to set a % of CPU usage when compute is in use and a separate one when the computer is idle (IE when I'm using it use up to 50% and 100% when idle), but I can't find an option to do that... am I remembering incorrectly, or is there not a way to do this?

I'm still debating using CUDA, I have two GTX 260 (not SLI, four heads) but due to the tight placement on the board one of them is already running hotter than I'd like it to (around 68C, other card is 48C, both idle). Is there really a big improvement in speed vs using 6-8 cores (hyperthreading enabled) on my i7?

One other thing... I seem to be having problems uploading completed work. I keep getting started upload... internet access OK - project servers may be temporarily down. Temporarily failed upload... backing off XXX.

Is there anything I can do, besides sitting and waiting? I probably have enough work for my machine to keep going another day, then I'll run out.

Ah, so guess I'll just wait then... it looks like I got a couple up when I restarted BOINC after I put in the optimized stuff.

Ok, so I installed CUDA and restarted BOINC. I got a message saying it found CUDA devices (GTX 260 216 (2)) but it's still using my CPUs and only working 8 units (8 CPUs) so it doesn't seem to be using CUDA... what did I do wrong?

Ok, so I installed CUDA and restarted BOINC. I got a message saying it found CUDA devices (GTX 260 216 (2)) but it's still using my CPUs and only working 8 units (8 CPUs) so it doesn't seem to be using CUDA... what did I do wrong?

You'll have to download GPU tasks first, and that won't happen if you have more than 15 tasks waiting for uploading.

And regarding your first post: There's no such preference. It's all or nothing: Either work when not idle or not; work with a given percentage all the time. I wouldn't recommend the BOINC throttle mechanism at all.

But you can set percent of processors used (as opposed to processing time). I would recommend to leave one or two CPU cores free for feeding the GPUs, once you get work for them.

Gruß,
Gundolf
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Computer sind nicht alles im Leben. (Kleiner Scherz)

SETI@home classic workunits 3,758
SETI@home classic CPU time 66,520 hours

Bah, kind of irritating to have to switch it all the time... oh well.

Once I get to upload (keep getting errors that project site is down) will it continue to use CPU and GPU, or is it just one or the other?

I'm using 6.4.5, I read a few threads where people said they had problems with 6.6 + Linux + CUDA, so I stuck with this version.

What is Astropulse? It's been a couple years since I did SETI.

P.S. Grumble at not being able to upload...

Ah, thanks... looks like I have AP5.03 already installed. If I understood that correctly, it will just automatically download those units as needed? So if I stick with 6.4.5 normal units will go to the GPU and AP units to the CPU?

Ok... now you have me confused, I have CUDA installed on my system and when I start up BOINC it says:

Wed 15 Jul 2009 08:33:22 PM KST||CUDA devices found
Wed 15 Jul 2009 08:33:22 PM KST||Coprocessor: GeForce GTX 260 (2)


I assume that means it's able to use them (once it gets new WU).

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to understand it all again and get the most out of my system.

Ok... so I need 6.6.36, but the download page only offers me 6.4.5, so how do I get 6.6.36 for 64 bit Linux...

Got me all confused now.

Ah, I found it... says unstable though.