Message boards :
Number crunching :
Optimization Parameters
Message board moderation
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wandrr Send message Joined: 24 Dec 00 Posts: 19 Credit: 40,182,080 RAC: 48 |
As a "returning newbie" (I crunched a bunch of classic units back in the stone age), I have been following the PC Build for my Dad thread at https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/forum_thread.php?id=82037&sort_style=0&start=75 with some interest. You folks have given good advice to Jeyl and his Dad (I am neither one!) but I have a question about the optimization parameters you gave. A couple of times, the following was repeated: In the I definitely understand the concept of the various parameters, but I do not understand them in the detail necessary to make real use of them for tuning. My system is somewhat different from Jeyl's, mostly in that it is ancient and considerably simpler. The computer ID is 8411663 and it is now running the optimized apps as installed by the Lunatics installer. I do intend to upgrade the hardware when the Chief Financial Officer (Mrs Wandrr) releases some funds, but that is a question for another day. In the meantime, I am trying to optimize the puny contribution that 8411663 does. I have searched around, but I can't find any documentation describing the various parameters like, for example "spike_fft_thresh". I am reasonably technically astute, so I can guess that this parameter gives a lower(?) limit for the fast Fourier transform of spikes. On the other hand, I might be completely off base with my guesses. Furthermore, I bet there are more parameters than just the list above. So, with that long background, my basic question is perhaps simple:
Arnie Alberta, Canada |
David@home Send message Joined: 16 Jan 03 Posts: 755 Credit: 5,040,916 RAC: 28 |
The documentation can be found in C:\ProgramData\BOINC\projects\setiathome.berkeley.edu\docs The parameters should be tailored to a specific type of graphics card and if you have a dedicated cruncher PC or need to use it as a general-purpose PC. |
wandrr Send message Joined: 24 Dec 00 Posts: 19 Credit: 40,182,080 RAC: 48 |
Well, who'd a thunk it! I searched all over the Internet, and there it was under my nose. Thanks very much for the quick answer. By the way, this is a dedicated cruncher, though I do have another machine for general use. I am not messing with it - stock apps only, and SETI has a low priority there. More questions to follow when I digest the read me files. Arnie Alberta, Canada |
Keith Myers Send message Joined: 29 Apr 01 Posts: 13164 Credit: 1,160,866,277 RAC: 1,873 |
Well, who'd a thunk it! I searched all over the Internet, and there it was under my nose. If you are thinking of running the SoG app by Raistmer, additional information on the design philosophy and a more technical discussion of the application can be found on the Lunatics website. Some considerations regarding OpenCL MultiBeam app tuning from algorithm view Seti@Home classic workunits:20,676 CPU time:74,226 hours A proud member of the OFA (Old Farts Association) |
Zalster Send message Joined: 27 May 99 Posts: 5517 Credit: 528,817,460 RAC: 242 |
The computer ID is 8411663 and it is now running the optimized apps as installed by the Lunatics installer. Your computers are hidden so we can't see them. You can change this in your preferences from your account page on this website. https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/home.php Preferences for this project SETI@home preferences Under Primary (default) preferences, click edit and make sure Should SETI@home show your computers on its web site? Is check This will allow us to see your computers and the work units and we can help you adjust as needed. Zalster |
wandrr Send message Joined: 24 Dec 00 Posts: 19 Credit: 40,182,080 RAC: 48 |
The computer ID is 8411663 and it is now running the optimized apps as installed by the Lunatics installer. Done. Like some others, I didn't even realize the computers were hidden. Oh well, I appreciate your patience. Arnie Alberta, Canada |
wandrr Send message Joined: 24 Dec 00 Posts: 19 Credit: 40,182,080 RAC: 48 |
Thanks for the pointers to documentation. I understand now. Unfortunately, my ancient NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512 doesn't even support OpenCL, so most (all?) of these tuning parameters are moot. I will have to work on the Chief Financial Officer to spring the cash for a new 1070TI GPU or something. What do you folks recommend in the meantime? Arnie Alberta, Canada |
Zalster Send message Joined: 27 May 99 Posts: 5517 Credit: 528,817,460 RAC: 242 |
Depending on budget, the 1070Ti is fine but might be able to find some 980Ti cheaper. They produce more but also use more electricity. |
juan BFP Send message Joined: 16 Mar 07 Posts: 9786 Credit: 572,710,851 RAC: 3,799 |
The 1070Ti are excellent but before choose the GPU be sure your PSU could handle the extra power it needs. |
Keith Myers Send message Joined: 29 Apr 01 Posts: 13164 Credit: 1,160,866,277 RAC: 1,873 |
Thanks for the pointers to documentation. I understand now. Unfortunately, my ancient NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 512 doesn't even support OpenCL, so most (all?) of these tuning parameters are moot. Really, with your current hardware, there is nothing you can do. Your CPU doesn't support AVX and your GPU is pre-Fermi. You might as well just run them stock and forget about any tuning. Nothing is possible. Once you get more current hardware, come back and post your question again. Seti@Home classic workunits:20,676 CPU time:74,226 hours A proud member of the OFA (Old Farts Association) |
wandrr Send message Joined: 24 Dec 00 Posts: 19 Credit: 40,182,080 RAC: 48 |
Depending on budget, the 1070Ti is fine but might be able to find some 980Ti cheaper. They produce more but also use more electricity. I am waiting a bit on the GPU in the hope that the mining craze will slow down and make GPU's a bit more available and reasonable in price. The 1070Ti is just an example. Arnie Alberta, Canada |
wandrr Send message Joined: 24 Dec 00 Posts: 19 Credit: 40,182,080 RAC: 48 |
The 1070Ti are excellent but before choose the GPU be sure your PSU could handle the extra power it needs. Yep. Current PSU is 500 watts. PSU is definitely on the upgrade list. Arnie Alberta, Canada |
Keith Myers Send message Joined: 29 Apr 01 Posts: 13164 Credit: 1,160,866,277 RAC: 1,873 |
Depending on budget, the 1070Ti is fine but might be able to find some 980Ti cheaper. They produce more but also use more electricity. The GTX 1060 does respectable work for a not too crazy price and would be cheaper to run as it uses half the power of your old 8800 GTS. You can get an idea of production per card type and production per watt-hour of power usage here. GPU FLOPS: Theory vs Reality Seti@Home classic workunits:20,676 CPU time:74,226 hours A proud member of the OFA (Old Farts Association) |
Keith Myers Send message Joined: 29 Apr 01 Posts: 13164 Credit: 1,160,866,277 RAC: 1,873 |
The 1070Ti are excellent but before choose the GPU be sure your PSU could handle the extra power it needs. More than enough for a 1060. Seti@Home classic workunits:20,676 CPU time:74,226 hours A proud member of the OFA (Old Farts Association) |
wandrr Send message Joined: 24 Dec 00 Posts: 19 Credit: 40,182,080 RAC: 48 |
Really, with your current hardware, there is nothing you can do. Your CPU doesn't support AVX and your GPU is pre-Fermi. You might as well just run them stock and forget about any tuning. Nothing is possible. Once you get more current hardware, come back and post your question again. Thanks for the honesty, Keith. I am reaching the same conclusion. The CFO is getting a beautiful new multi-thousand dollar serger to feed her sewing obsession, so I think I have a good case to get some hardware. See you in a while, and again, thanks everyone for the pointers and advice. Arnie Alberta, Canada |
wandrr Send message Joined: 24 Dec 00 Posts: 19 Credit: 40,182,080 RAC: 48 |
The GTX 1060 does respectable work for a not too crazy price and would be cheaper to run as it uses half the power of your old 8800 GTS. You can get an idea of production per card type and production per watt-hour of power usage here. I have been watching the GPU FLOPS thread. Part of the fun is selecting the optimum parts! As for wall-plug power consumption, I have no restrictions, other than the limit of how many electrons I can suck out and reasonable ecological concern. My rent includes utilities. The landlady might be concerned if I install a rack full of blade servers and dozens of GPU's, but please don't tell her! Arnie Alberta, Canada |
Keith Myers Send message Joined: 29 Apr 01 Posts: 13164 Credit: 1,160,866,277 RAC: 1,873 |
The GTX 1060 does respectable work for a not too crazy price and would be cheaper to run as it uses half the power of your old 8800 GTS. You can get an idea of production per card type and production per watt-hour of power usage here. Well, that is neat. Removes any guilt from the cost of huge power bills to support our love of science. Seti@Home classic workunits:20,676 CPU time:74,226 hours A proud member of the OFA (Old Farts Association) |
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