NEW Pref.: Suspend work if CPU usage is > XX %

I agree, the default was set way too low and will likely cause unnecessary problems for many users. I've seen few complaints that would indicate a need for this option or for such a low default setting.

The only reason I could see a low default setting like that is for the odd lap-toppers that actually run BOINC.... *sarcasm*

. . . .That'd be about 4 or 5? *more sarcasm*

I wonder if it's more to give people who use their PCs for work or telecommuting the feeling that they can contribute to science and still not feel like they just "time-warped" back to the days of Windows 98 and the jittery/choppy/slow CPU experience......

That is a reason I could understand.

MOst of the people I talk to are interested in getting more BOINC WU done than anything else.

;)


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25% does seem low to me, but considering the very large range of computers out there it is probably a good default. On a quad core or such system 25% is 1 core at full load. So in most cases I don't see 25% coming into effect most of the time. On a dual core system I wouldn't really want BOINC to stop processing the science apps just because I was doing something that maxed out 1 core.

It's a good feature, but I don't have a use for it at the moment so to 0 it goes.
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25% does seem low to me, but considering the very large range of computers out there it is probably a good default. On a quad core or such system 25% is 1 core at full load. So in most cases I don't see 25% coming into effect most of the time. On a dual core system I wouldn't really want BOINC to stop processing the science apps just because I was doing something that maxed out 1 core.

It's a good feature, but I don't have a use for it at the moment so to 0 it goes.

25% does seem low to me, but considering the very large range of computers out there it is probably a good default. On a quad core or such system 25% is 1 core at full load. So in most cases I don't see 25% coming into effect most of the time. On a dual core system I wouldn't really want BOINC to stop processing the science apps just because I was doing something that maxed out 1 core.

It's a good feature, but I don't have a use for it at the moment so to 0 it goes.

I've also set it to 0 across my different venues, it caused my single core XP3200 to suspend computation, when i suspended a task that was running, to get a Shortie to run instead,
needs a higher value here, or it disabled, i might set it to a high value on one of the C2D's, then try some video encoding,
but i think it should have been set at 0 as default, and let the users decide their setting.

Claggy

If you use BOINC 6.10.32 you will be affected by the

new Computing preference:

Suspend work if CPU usage is above 25 %
0 means no restriction
Enforced by version 6.10.30+


The default of 25% is too low IMO and will make the apps to stop/restart very often which is time consuming overhead.

Most users will not know what happens or why.

The default have to be 0 (no restriction) or 80-90%

What do you think?
.

The 25% default is a poor choice IMHO....

I can't imagine how this would work. Unless the 25% figure ignores CPU usage by Boinc itself and Boinc based tasks.

And what is the point? With Boinc tasks all running at lowest priority, anything else a computer is likely to be doing should take over CPU usage anyway.

Not really sure what this was intended to do.
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"Ask not, what your kitty can do for you. Ask what you can do for your kitty."

As it is kitten, so shall it be done.

And what is the point? With Boinc tasks all running at lowest priority, anything else a computer is likely to be doing should take over CPU usage anyway.

Not really sure what this was intended to do.

David Anderson, Alpha email list wrote:

The major complaint about BOINC among new users is "it slows down my computer" (and typically they uninstall).
E.g. games don't play as fast, streaming video has glitches.

I think the default should be to eliminate slow-down as much as possible.

-- David

David Anderson, Alpha email list wrote:

The major complaint about BOINC among new users is "it slows down my computer" (and typically they uninstall).
E.g. games don't play as fast, streaming video has glitches.

I think the default should be to eliminate slow-down as much as possible.

-- David

So they are making default settings so that people that don't know how to change settings will not be effected as much it looks like. Which makes sense overall. People that don't have idea what they are doing will be less effect & other that know what to change will most likely disable it. It may lead to more science getting done if it can be shows to have a lower impact on users.

HAL9000:
25% does seem low to me, but considering the very large range of computers out there it is probably a good default. On a quad core or such system 25% is 1 core at full load. So in most cases I don't see 25% coming into effect most of the time. On a dual core system I wouldn't really want BOINC to stop processing the science apps just because I was doing something that maxed out 1 core.

It's a good feature, but I don't have a use for it at the moment so to 0 it goes.

This preference will not work this way.

My understanding is that if something outside BOINC uses e.g. 30% CPU
(AV scan in progress; you start Firefox; Almost any program at start will use > 25% CPU)
all the processing stops on all CPUs (cores) & on all GPUs (as if you choose "Snooze" from the tray icon).

After the CPU usage becomes < 25% the processing resumes.

This implies many stops/restarts of the WUs (big overhead especially on CUDA).
And if it occurs every minute the apps have no chance to checkpoint?

.

And what is the point? With Boinc tasks all running at lowest priority, anything else a computer is likely to be doing should take over CPU usage anyway.

OzzFan:

Considering there's already an option of "Do work while computer is in use" that seems to compete with this option.

Not really sure what this was intended to do.

My only guess is so that BOINC does not compete with other low-priority apps that may need large amounts of power in spurts. Something like maybe an XBox media streaming box. Or maybe some server apps that only kick in once in a while. Video rendering could be another class of apps.

I can see a use for this option, but I think it competes too closely with "Do work while computer is in use".

"Do work while computer is in use" is about "in use" by the user (user is moving the mouse and/or types on the keyboard)

"Suspend work if CPU usage is above XX %" is about "in use" by a program (e.g. AV scan starts automatically - no user at the computer)

I see usage for this preference to suspend GPU work (CUDA, CAL) in situations as watching DIVX movie or TV program
(user is NOT moving the mouse and/or typing on the keyboard for a long time but "uses" the computer)

"Do work while computer is in use" is about "in use" by the user (user is moving the mouse and/or types on the keyboard)

"Suspend work if CPU usage is above XX %" is about "in use" by a program (e.g. AV scan starts automatically - no user at the computer)

I see usage for this preference to suspend GPU work (CUDA, CAL) in situations as watching DIVX movie or TV program
(user is NOT moving the mouse and/or typing on the keyboard for a long time but "uses" the computer)