Optimization Parameters

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wandrr

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Message 1910050 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 17:08:12 UTC

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
C:\ProgramData\BOINC\projects\setiathome.berkeley.edu
folder will be a file
mb_cmdline_win_x86_SSE3_OpenCL_NV_SoG.txt
put the following command line in it and save it (use Notepad only, not Word or Wordpad).

-hp -period_iterations_num 1 -high_perf -high_prec_timer -sbs 2048 -spike_fft_thresh 4096 -tune 1 64 1 4 -oclfft_tune_gr 256 -oclfft_tune_lr 16 -oclfft_tune_wg 256 -oclfft_tune_ls 512 -oclfft_tune_bn 64 -oclfft_tune_cw 64 -cpu_lock
Once the file is saved, the values will be used by the next WU that starts being processed.


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:
    Where can I find documentation of those parameters?



I would prefer to work through the optimizations so that I understand them. I am sure that you folks can easily reel off an optimization string suitable for my old cruncher, but I want to learn. This is supposed to be fun, isn't it?

Thanks very much, folks.


Arnie
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Message 1910053 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 17:23:29 UTC - in response to Message 1910050.  
Last modified: 1 Jan 2018, 17:33:36 UTC


So, with that long background, my basic question is perhaps simple:
    Where can I find documentation of those parameters?




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.
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Message 1910060 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 18:16:08 UTC - in response to Message 1910053.  

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.
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Message 1910068 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 18:42:53 UTC - in response to Message 1910060.  

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.

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
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Message 1910070 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 18:54:27 UTC - in response to Message 1910050.  

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.

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This will allow us to see your computers and the work units and we can help you adjust as needed.

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Message 1910075 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 19:47:32 UTC - in response to Message 1910070.  

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


Done. Like some others, I didn't even realize the computers were hidden. Oh well, I appreciate your patience.
Arnie
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Message 1910084 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 20:34:45 UTC - in response to Message 1910075.  

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?
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Message 1910090 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 20:54:28 UTC - in response to Message 1910084.  
Last modified: 1 Jan 2018, 20:54:36 UTC

Depending on budget, the 1070Ti is fine but might be able to find some 980Ti cheaper. They produce more but also use more electricity.
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Message 1910092 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 21:03:18 UTC
Last modified: 1 Jan 2018, 21:04:04 UTC

The 1070Ti are excellent but before choose the GPU be sure your PSU could handle the extra power it needs.
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Message 1910103 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 22:00:58 UTC - in response to Message 1910084.  

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?

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.
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Message 1910109 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 22:19:10 UTC - in response to Message 1910090.  

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.
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Message 1910110 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 22:20:43 UTC - in response to Message 1910092.  

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.
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Message 1910111 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 22:23:14 UTC - in response to Message 1910109.  

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.

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
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Message 1910112 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 22:23:45 UTC - in response to Message 1910110.  

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.

More than enough for a 1060.
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Message 1910113 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 22:25:58 UTC - in response to Message 1910103.  

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.
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Message 1910114 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 22:32:44 UTC - in response to Message 1910111.  

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


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!
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Message 1910115 - Posted: 1 Jan 2018, 22:39:44 UTC - in response to Message 1910114.  

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


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!

Well, that is neat. Removes any guilt from the cost of huge power bills to support our love of science.
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Message boards : Number crunching : Optimization Parameters


 
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