Posts by Area 51

1) Message boards : Number crunching : Panic Mode On (77) Server Problems? (Message 1290864)
Posted 3 Oct 2012 by Profile Area 51
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I seem to get bogged down downloading - and uploading! I get 2,000 shorties, churn through them in quite short order, and spend the next 4 days trying to upload the results, and of course, I have to upload & report before I can anything new. One thing I have noticed though. When something goes up/down the pipe - it flies - really flies. There isn't even time for a progress bar during the transmission.
2) Message boards : Cafe SETI : Another feline passing (Message 1286736)
Posted 22 Sep 2012 by Profile Area 51
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Yesterday marked the passing of another feline who had a loose association with S@H. I dreaded yesterday quite literally for years, and it absolutely lived up to my worst fears. Boo, a puss of indeterminate age was finally euthanased having battled through numerous medical 'challenges' during his 9 year stay here; liver disease finally got this once abandoned puss who decided he'd rather like to move in. Needless to say, being a puss he didn't wait for us to finish building the house before doing so. Forcing us to come on site daily during what was a very dark period meant he was instrumental in the house's completion, just as if he had been a bricky, sparky, plumber or joiner - since we had to check on him daily. I will dearly miss him for for this alone - not to mention the lovely warm little body hunckering down under the quilt, or the feel or his little feet as he quite literally walked across my throat in the middle of the night when he decided he needed a snack. So many fond memories.

This hugely affectionate little creature who liked nothing more than lying in the daisies in summer, or in front of the wood burner in winter will be greatly missed. Suddenly, this house has a rather large hole in it. Maybe my building wasn't quite as good as I thought it was.

RIP Boo, we did our absolute best for you - really we did.


3) Message boards : Number crunching : Panic Mode On (76) Server Problems? (Message 1286701)
Posted 22 Sep 2012 by Profile Area 51
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A comforting thought, when things get tough, is that it's never too late to give up.

LOL



I was wandering when the real Sten would step forward .... welcome back, we haven't herd too much from you lately LMAO!
4) Message boards : Number crunching : No work? (Message 1285977)
Posted 20 Sep 2012 by Profile Area 51
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I noticed yesterday that all of my work units for Seti have finished and no new work units have downloaded. Is there really no new work for me, or has something gone awry?



There is work, but the network is maxed out. Patience is the name of the game - 'all good things come to those who wait'..... Your work requests may simply be lost in the sea of hosts shouting for work.

Seriously, you just have to let your client keep asking - sooner or later it'll get some work. You may like to review your cache settings to ensure you keep some tasks in hand. The task deadlines are usually quite generous, so holding some tasks in the cupboard for when the network gremlins strike is not a bad idea...
5) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276783)
Posted 28 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
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Not quite:

I don't have any data comparing the difference with and without, but I can say it doesn't decrease my performance drastically.


The point I was making is that you should try and avoid introducing extra bottlenecks to colant flow. If you need them to achieve your goals, fine, but if you can think of a way of avoiding their use so much the better.

Regarding the QR couplings for 1/2" Tygon tubing, Aquatuning recommended this fitting:

http://www.aquatuning.us/product_info.php/info/p5788_Phobya-quick-release-co

You would need to add 2 of your fave' tube attachments to each coupling, since the QR couplings terminate in a female G 1/4" thread.

Coolant is looking, err interesting. Still reading, but there appear to be a small number of recurring good stories which should result in a short list of sensible alternatives. Get back to you over the next few days on that though.
6) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276438)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
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any recommendations? Note: Silver Killcoil is out as EK blocks with Nickel plating prior to EN blocks(I don't have any EK EN blocks) degrade or erode from what I've read and I don't want that... EN is Enhanced Nickle, EK changed their process somehow.


Let me get back to you on that. I would need to re-read your parts list and do some Googling. Next week is a busy week work-wise and I need my beauty sleep for it so I'm off to bed for tonight. I'll have a look over the next couple of days and see if I can come up with a list of stuff to avoid, and stuff that I would be happy to use.

I do however know that EK changed their plating process because some coolants were reacting with the finished surface and stripping off the plating. This is one reason why using pure copper waterblocks is never a bad thing (ask yourself why plumbers still like copper) ;-)

It will be worth it all in the end - honest!
7) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276426)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
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There's always right angle connectors


True - but apart from dimensional difficulties, you should try and minimise the use of right angled fittings. Your coolant will not flow through them smoothly - it will essentially slam up against a metal wall, and then through the sheer force of the pump, find its way through the direction change after loosing some velocity and creating some turbulence. Gentle curves are good - they will impede flow rates far less. Not so tidy perhaps, but the whole purpose of watercooling is efficient cooling. Looking good is secondary. You will need to remain flexible when it comes to the actual plumbing, as you will find that some tube routes that looked sensible in an empty case are in reality, impractical or just pure impossible. Sometimes, you will have no option, but if you can avoid right angles, it will be for the better.

Watercooling is fun - honest! I spent hours staring at my case imagining how it was going to work - and very little of my planning turned into reality (and that's with narrow, flexible tubing). you will probably find that despite your best efforts, you will not be able to quantify every twist and turn prior to the actual work, and will change plan several times during the build itslef. Part of the 'fun' of this sort of work is being creative.......
8) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276415)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
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The coolant I use is Feser One.

It can be bought cheaper at different places, such as Frozen CPU.

Steve

They are less expensive than Performance PCs, Frozen CPU also has this in Black too($7.95), PPC is out of stock($19.95)...


Performance PCs return policy is terrible, once Ya buy something that's it, it's Yours, but for some things I put up with that policy...


I think the algae issue was more to do with people using distilled water as a coolant, and not adding an inhibitor. Asking for trouble really - a dark, warm environment.....

I think the essential thing is to choose a coolant that is known NOT to react (electrolytically) with your surfaces, has an algae inhibitor and for which you struggle to find someone who has had a problem. Let someone else do the testing for you..
9) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276401)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
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That's the same tubing I use, except mine is clear. The coolant is blue though.

Steve

I'd like to prevent algae from forming without using a silver kill coil as some blocks plating react to that in an undesirable way from what I've read elsewhere...


I would suggest that is largely down to the coolant you select in combination with the waterblock & internal radiator surfaces. I'm not aware of any creatures growing in my loops but who knows! Most coolants have an inhibitor that prevents such growths occurring though.

I use DP Ultra in both of my loops. One loop uses a pure copper waterblock, the other a nickel plated waterblock. The rads are both Phobya - essentially copper. I used to use PC Ice as a coolant - but that broke down quickly under 24/7 running and started to smell really bad. Since switching to DP Ultra, I've had no similar issues.
10) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276395)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
Post:

It's like this, but I'm looking at Black and not red, although red would do if black was out of stock...



...black is the new red!!!

I've emailed Aquatuning to find out which couplings are suitable for 1/2" tygon tubing (which is what Steve uses) and I'll let you know what their response is.

One thing that concerns me if you go for a PCI bulkhead fitting is: will you have the space to route the tube through it ...... I'm guessing that stuff is pretty stiff...... you may need quite some space to get a kink-free bend......
11) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276383)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
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Later when I get home, I'll see how large 1/2" tubing is in metric, as that is what the sizes are listed in at the PHOBYA website. Evenything I use is 1/2" inner diamater Tygon, with 1/8" thick walls. Since I am redoing everything at the moment, I really like the idea of quick connects. Even if I don't get them into this build, I will order them, and add them when time is available.

The Piggy rebuild is coming along very nicely. i have more to go before I can attempt a power up, but I am making progress.

Steve

I was thinking of using Koolance Quick Disconnects and Corsair Dreamflex tubing, their black 1/2"ID kit, nice and thick walls and short of fittings has all one needs and 10' of tubing too.




The principle is the same. That's essentially a bulkhead fitting - great for the case, Don't like barbs myslef, but that's a personal preference. You may want to see if you can get an inline fitting - then, you could plumb them into the single tube sections of the in/out tubes for the GPU loops (more isolatable segments in the loop = more options for unplanned issues). If you go for parallel for the chipset/CPU (which IS the way in terms of flow control), it may be a bit more difficult to figure out where they could go and be of use - they would need to be in the loop where there is a single tube....

The whole principle of incorporating them is to give an easy way of breaking the loop, without introducing air, and/or draining the whole loop (which will be a pain) - so you need to think about how your tubing is going to work and how you are going to carry out any maintenance tasks, and if being able to isolate sections will make your life easier. For me, they are a god-send. I only water cool my GPUs, but I would not build another GPU loop without them.
12) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276367)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
Post:
Later when I get home, I'll see how large 1/2" tubing is in metric, as that is what the sizes are listed in at the PHOBYA website. Evenything I use is 1/2" inner diamater Tygon, with 1/8" thick walls. Since I am redoing everything at the moment, I really like the idea of quick connects. Even if I don't get them into this build, I will order them, and add them when time is available.

The Piggy rebuild is coming along very nicely. i have more to go before I can attempt a power up, but I am making progress.

Steve



I'll PM you, so as not to hijack this thread further. I'm pretty sure that your tubing size is covered.
13) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276362)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
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Whether you have parallel flow or serial does not matter. My setup is done for reasons specific to me, but the principle of the QR couplings makes as much sense in a parallel flow setup as a serial. Its the ability to isolate specific segments of the loop (however many devices it incorporates) that is useful.

Where did you find the QR couplings?

Steve



Phobya. I can provide a link if you require.....

No problem. I found it. I like that idea, but couldn't find any that would work with 1/2" ID Tygon tubing.

Steve


What is the ID of that stuff??? Phobya do couplings for most tube sizes..........
14) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276360)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
Post:
Whether you have parallel flow or serial does not matter. My setup is done for reasons specific to me, but the principle of the QR couplings makes as much sense in a parallel flow setup as a serial. Its the ability to isolate specific segments of the loop (however many devices it incorporates) that is useful.

Where did you find the QR couplings?

Steve



Phobya. I can provide a link if you require.....
15) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276358)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
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Whether you have parallel flow or serial does not matter.

As Rob pointed out earlier in the thread, it does.



Not to the use of QR couplings.
16) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276356)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
Post:
Whether you have parallel flow or serial does not matter. My setup is done for reasons specific to me, but the principle of the QR couplings makes as much sense in a parallel flow setup as a serial. Its the ability to isolate specific segments of the loop (however many devices it incorporates) that is useful.
17) Message boards : Number crunching : New Octo GPU Cruncher build (Message 1276344)
Posted 27 Aug 2012 by Profile Area 51
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One thing you may want to consider doing is incorporating quick release couplings into your loops. These can serve two functions. First, you have an easy drain point without the need to plumb in a floating tube. The other advantage is that if you plan them carefully, you can split your loops into logical sections so that you will seldom need to fully drain the loops (they also make initial filling a lot easier).

For example, each of my loops has 3 QR couplings, enabling me to isolate the pump/res area, radiator and GPU (I have two distinct loops, one for each GPU) on each loop. If I need to take out a GPU, I just disconnect its QR couplings and slide it out. No loop draining, no hassle. When I put it back in, I just ensure that the waterblock and its associated tubing leading to the QR couplings is full of coolant - no bubbles. I can also fully isolate the externally situated radiators - which makes life a lot easier if I do a full coolant change since I can jiggle the rad' box around to fully clear it of air.

I can provide pics if you would find them useful.
18) Message boards : Number crunching : Boards like treacle? (Message 1261263)
Posted 16 Jul 2012 by Profile Area 51
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OK, how about doing some traceroutes and seeing where you are going to get to Berkeley - and how fast (or slow).......
19) Message boards : Number crunching : Boards like treacle? (Message 1261245)
Posted 16 Jul 2012 by Profile Area 51
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Perhaps I'm just used to Scottish broadband speeds!

Hiyah Area 51 Esq. I have BT Infinity at 40+ Mbs download, and still get the problem. Should I be pouring the scotch in the router or the DVD tray?


Well those speeds beat the pants off anything I could ever dream of getting up here!!!! I'm on a bog standard BT broadband contract - in a rural area - and those twisted pairs must be singing to give me what I get (which is less than 1/4 of your download peak).

I haven't tried pouring the Golden juice into the router - perhaps I should!!! Most of my 'slowdowns' appear to be dirty memory - fixed by a reboot. Given your background, I suspect that you are experiencing problems, but I don't think its that infamous transatlantic link. Perhaps something more local...



20) Message boards : Number crunching : Boards like treacle? (Message 1261224)
Posted 16 Jul 2012 by Profile Area 51
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For nearly a month now, those of us in the UK have been having very slow connections to the Seti website in the States. It often disappears for 20 minutes at a time, then it takes another 3 or 4 minutes to post anything, or move from thread to thread, or forum to forum. It is logically either a UK/USA link problem, or a Berkeley end problem. What I can say is that 2 out of the 4 UK backbone links are down, and the other 2 aren't exactly firing on all 6 cylinders.

Europe

Any comments or suggestions?



...no problems for me. The occasional sow down (as reported by many others at certain times), but for the most part its been fine. Perhaps I'm just used to Scottish broadband speeds!


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