Too much GPU used with CUDA

Questions and Answers : GPU applications : Too much GPU used with CUDA

Author	Message
theshadowmaker Send message Joined: 30 Nov 04 Posts: 3 Credit: 56,079 RAC: 0	Message 945013 - Posted: 4 Nov 2009, 10:45:06 UTC
	Hi everybody. I've been into SETI since 2004, and yesterday tried the new CUDA capabilities. The problem is that everything's running properly, but when I turn on GPU using, it uses ALL memory and boost of the graphic card. With normal CPUs it's not a problem: it uses everything you dont use for anything else (Projects at boinc' priority < everything else) but with that GPU projects (SETI by now) it's just the reverse thing. I'm a student, so most of the time I don't use ALL my CPUs nor GPU, but I'd like to have at least enough to work properly. I've got a Quad Core 2.4 Ghz, 4 gb ram, a NVIDIA 8600GT with 1GB ram. What can I do?? I'd like to be my GPU like my CPUs, just in the background :D
	ID: 945013 ·

Gundolf Jahn Send message Joined: 19 Sep 00 Posts: 3078 Credit: 341,914 RAC: 96	Message 945014 - Posted: 4 Nov 2009, 10:52:29 UTC - in response to Message 945013. Last modified: 4 Nov 2009, 10:53:36 UTC
	I'd like to be my GPU like my CPUs, just in the background :D Okay, then just tell it to do so ;-) Setting your preferences for "Suspend GPU work while computer is in use?" to "yes" might help. Gruß, Gundolf [edit]Don't forget to check local and online preferences.[/edit] ____________ Computer sind nicht alles im Leben. (Kleiner Scherz) SETI@home classic workunits 3,758 SETI@home classic CPU time 66,520 hours
	ID: 945014 ·

theshadowmaker Send message Joined: 30 Nov 04 Posts: 3 Credit: 56,079 RAC: 0	Message 945066 - Posted: 4 Nov 2009, 18:50:31 UTC
	Yeah, but i dont wanna suspend GPU computation while in use. I mean, probably I need usually only 20% of GPU for Windows, apps, and so on. So I'd like to tell BOINC to use AT MOST 80% of GPU. With CPUs that's no problem, BOINC automatically adjust itself to "don't bother" other programs (it has lowest priority) but that's not true for GPUs... isn't it?? Thx, Joaquín
	ID: 945066 ·

The Weasel Send message Joined: 6 Jun 99 Posts: 126 Credit: 45,960,675 RAC: 43,960	Message 945102 - Posted: 4 Nov 2009, 21:24:58 UTC
	From what i've read, its all or nonthing on the gpu, set it to suspend tasks when active and then you can set the time to to suspends tasks, so if you use the computer it suspends tasks set time for 1 minute, then when you leave your computer alone for a minute, it starts back up. ____________
	ID: 945102 ·

theshadowmaker Send message Joined: 30 Nov 04 Posts: 3 Credit: 56,079 RAC: 0	Message 945141 - Posted: 4 Nov 2009, 23:42:42 UTC
	Thanks, for the moment I've set it to restart GPU as soon as 1 minute inactive, just to compute even when gone to toilet :D for a few moments. But I honestly think it should definitely be improved, in order to use GPUs as fast CPUs even when in "low use". Thx!! :)
	ID: 945141 ·

Ageless Send message Joined: 9 Jun 99 Posts: 11642 Credit: 2,015,215 RAC: 4,233	Message 945146 - Posted: 4 Nov 2009, 23:59:37 UTC - in response to Message 945141.
	But I honestly think it should definitely be improved, in order to use GPUs as fast CPUs even when in "low use". The GPU can only run in full mode or no mode. It can't run in half mode (aka throttling). If you want to throttle, do so on the CPU. That will automatically throttle the amount of data going to the GPU. ____________ Jord - BOINC FAQ Service - BOINC User Wiki Real is just a matter of perception.
	ID: 945146 ·

Questions and Answers : GPU applications : Too much GPU used with CUDA