Coming back to SETI

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Joseph Monk

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Message 917771 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 3:10:22 UTC

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?
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Joseph Monk

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Message 917774 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 3:15:57 UTC - in response to Message 917771.  

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.
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Message 917776 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 3:17:33 UTC - in response to Message 917774.  

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.


Welcome back!

Due to lack of funding and other issues, Seti is experincing bandwith and server issues which is causing the upload issues.


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Joseph Monk

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Message 917777 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 3:21:08 UTC - in response to Message 917776.  

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.
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Joseph Monk

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Message 917872 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 8:28:57 UTC - in response to Message 917777.  

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?
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Message 917918 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 9:39:30 UTC - in response to Message 917872.  

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?



One possibility:
GPU will not do existing WU's because they are already allocated to CPU. Only new WU's can be allocated to GPU.
Flying high with Team Sicituradastra.
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Profile Gundolf Jahn

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Message 917921 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 9:43:41 UTC - in response to Message 917872.  

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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Joseph Monk

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Message 917932 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 10:54:06 UTC

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?
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Richard Haselgrove Project Donor
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Message 917934 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 10:58:31 UTC - in response to Message 917932.  

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?

Provided you use BOINC v6.6.xx, it will use both.

If you use BOINC v6.4 or v6.5, it will be either/or - but you would still be able to crunch Astropulse, or another project entirely, on the CPU while using the GPU for SETI.
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Joseph Monk

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Message 917939 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:09:29 UTC - in response to Message 917934.  

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...
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Richard Haselgrove Project Donor
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Message 917944 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:24:44 UTC - in response to Message 917939.  

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Joseph Monk

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Message 917946 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:29:15 UTC - in response to Message 917944.  

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?
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Message 917947 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:30:46 UTC - in response to Message 917939.  

problems with ... Linux + CUDA

There is no automatic application download for CUDA on Linux. You will have to find and install a third-party application by hand.

Read through the sticky threads at the top of this forum for references to optimised applications and other platforms.
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Joseph Monk

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Message 917949 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:34:53 UTC - in response to Message 917947.  

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.
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John McLeod VII
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Message 917950 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:39:01 UTC - in response to Message 917949.  

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.

6.4.5 is able to detect CUDA devices, but not actually use them. The CUDA project was in progress at that time but not complete. You need to upgrade to 6.6.x to take advantage of CUDA. 6.6.36 is pretty good.


BOINC WIKI
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Richard Haselgrove Project Donor
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Message 917952 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:39:19 UTC - in response to Message 917949.  

It's a two part (and two organisation) process.

BOINC recognises CUDA automatically, and sounds good to go. When the workflow issues are sorted out, it will start asking for work.

SETI will reply that no CUDA application is available for your platform - Linux. And without an application, it won't send you any work.

You need to square that circle with a third-party application.
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Richard Haselgrove Project Donor
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Message 917954 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:44:00 UTC - in response to Message 917950.  

6.4.5 is able to detect CUDA devices, but not actually use them. The CUDA project was in progress at that time but not complete. You need to upgrade to 6.6.x to take advantage of CUDA. 6.6.36 is pretty good.

John,

We ran CUDA under v6.4.5 (for Windows, at least, - no experience with Linux) from December to March. It wasn't brilliant, but it ran. I agree that v6.6.36 is far more satisfactory - experience limited to Windows, again.
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Joseph Monk

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Message 917958 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:48:33 UTC - in response to Message 917950.  

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.
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Joseph Monk

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Message 917960 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:51:06 UTC - in response to Message 917958.  

Ah, I found it... says unstable though.
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Richard Haselgrove Project Donor
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Message 917961 - Posted: 15 Jul 2009, 11:51:43 UTC - in response to Message 917958.  

I'm afraid I'll have to duck that one.

There are Linux specialists round here - I'm sure one will chime in and help.
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Message boards : Number crunching : Coming back to SETI


 
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