Hello,

I'm starting to collect necessary parts for my new Astropulse/MB/Gaming rig (AMD FX-8350, Radeon 7970 GHz), and I was wondering if and when, there will be a possibility to crunch data using multiple workunits at the same time using "blessed" applications.
I do know that Anonymous platform (like Lunatics optimized apps), allow this, however I was rather aiming at using original application and being able to do it...
1. Is it possible?
2. If not: Does anyone know if Seti@Home team intends to allow this, or is working actively on the solution?
3. Or perhaps it is a limitation of BOINC (BOINC does not allow configuration of GPU usage for "blessed" apps, thus optimized apps must be used), and if BOINC team is pursuing that change?

Regards,
Arivald Ha'gel

---

Since no one has answered yet, I'll have a go. I'm not sure there is any plan to modify the basic bonic program to allow more than 1 task per GPU, but that doesn't mean you can't modify it yourself to do that. If you don't want to use the Lunatics then you could just write a simple cc_config.xml and place that in the hidden Bonic data directory. I'm not familiar with Radeon GPUs so I can't add anything there. I would think they would work the same, if not, someone here will say so. For the simple CC_config.xml, i'm posting one that Arkayn posted on another thread


<app_config>
<app>
<name>setiathome_v7</name>
<gpu_versions>
<gpu_usage>0.49</gpu_usage>
<cpu_usage>.04</cpu_usage>
</gpu_versions>
</app>
<app>
<name>astropulse_v6</name>
<gpu_versions>
<gpu_usage>0.51</gpu_usage>
<cpu_usage>1</cpu_usage>
</gpu_versions>
</app>
</app_config>

Hope this helps.

Zalster

Interesting is that I have found readme in BOINC Seti@Home directory:
astropulse_6.06_r1832_opencl_ati_README_OPENCL.txt

That seems to allow the same configurability as Lunatics apps.

This also seems to correspond with a fragment from:
https://boinc.berkeley.edu/wiki/Client_configuration

So it seems to be completely valid and working... THAT IS NICE :)

---

Since no one has answered yet, I'll have a go. I'm not sure there is any plan to modify the basic bonic program to allow more than 1 task per GPU, but that doesn't mean you can't modify it yourself to do that. If you don't want to use the Lunatics then you could just write a simple cc_config.xml and place that in the hidden Bonic data directory. I'm not familiar with Radeon GPUs so I can't add anything there. I would think they would work the same, if not, someone here will say so. For the simple CC_config.xml, i'm posting one that Arkayn posted on another thread


<app_config>
<app>
<name>setiathome_v7</name>
<gpu_versions>
<gpu_usage>0.49</gpu_usage>
<cpu_usage>.04</cpu_usage>
</gpu_versions>
</app>
<app>
<name>astropulse_v6</name>
<gpu_versions>
<gpu_usage>0.51</gpu_usage>
<cpu_usage>1</cpu_usage>
</gpu_versions>
</app>
</app_config>

Hope this helps.

Zalster

I think that would be app_config.xml instead of cc_config.xml. I think one of the main purposes for the implementation of app_config was to allow those running stock apps to run multiple tasks on their GPU like with the anonymous platform apps.

---

SETI@home classic workunits: 93,865 CPU time: 863,447 hours
Join the [url=http://tinyurl.com/8y46zvu]BP6/VP6 User Group[

opps you are right, sorry about that

There is an easier way to do this, Einstein does this.

GPU utilization factor of BRP apps
DANGEROUS! Only touch this if you are absolutely sure of what you are doing!
Wrong setting might even damage your computer! Use solely on your own risk!
Min: -1.0 / Max: 1.0 / Default: 1.0, negative values will disable GPU tasks of this type 1

This project would benefit.

---

Interesting is that I have found readme in BOINC Seti@Home directory:
astropulse_6.06_r1832_opencl_ati_README_OPENCL.txt

That seems to allow the same configurability as Lunatics apps.

This also seems to correspond with a fragment from:
https://boinc.berkeley.edu/wiki/Client_configuration

So it seems to be completely valid and working... THAT IS NICE :)

In fact there is "Lunatics's app". Just distributed via project servers.

---

SETI apps news
We're not gonna fight them. We're gonna transcend them.

There is an easier way to do this, Einstein does this.


GPU utilization factor of BRP apps
DANGEROUS! Only touch this if you are absolutely sure of what you are doing!
Wrong setting might even damage your computer! Use solely on your own risk!
Min: -1.0 / Max: 1.0 / Default: 1.0, negative values will disable GPU tasks of this type 1

This project would benefit.

I understand from posts on Einstein that Einstein offered this solution for use by other projects, but Dr. A. did not like the coding/methodology. Instead, the BOINC team developed the app_config.xml solution.

---

Another Fred
Support SETI@home when you search the Web with GoodSearch or shop online with GoodShop.

Well it works very well. I stopped writing code 30 years ago and have no interest in learning a new language, I just want to crunch for I find distributed computing to be brilliant.

---

There is an easier way to do this, Einstein does this.

GPU utilization factor of BRP apps
DANGEROUS! Only touch this if you are absolutely sure of what you are doing!
Wrong setting might even damage your computer! Use solely on your own risk!
Min: -1.0 / Max: 1.0 / Default: 1.0, negative values will disable GPU tasks of this type 1

This project would benefit.

That would assume that one have "homogenous" fleet of crunching PCs. I prefer current approach, however configuration by hand is... hmmm... I'm tech-savvy, but I'm still a little aftraid of it...

---

In fact there is "Lunatics's app". Just distributed via project servers.

That seems to be true. However it would be even better for BOINC to be able to check CPU capabilities. I'd rather have SSE2 etc. version... at least dedicated for my AMD, not just Intel... I hate Intel...

---

In fact there is "Lunatics's app". Just distributed via project servers.

That seems to be true. However it would be even better for BOINC to be able to check CPU capabilities. I'd rather have SSE2 etc. version... at least dedicated for my AMD, not just Intel... I hate Intel...

??? can you be little more specific?

EDIT: you prev post was about GPU AstroPulse. About what app do you complain regarding CPU capabilities ?

---

SETI apps news
We're not gonna fight them. We're gonna transcend them.

I was just mentioning the difference between:
AP6_win_x86_SSE2_OpenCL_ATI_r1761.exe (in Lunatics package)
against:
astropulse_6.06_windows_intelx86__opencl_ati_100.exe (in stock apps)

Which would suggest that even OpenCL app can have SSE2 optimizations.

Although I'm confused... Astropulse Open CL app from Lunatics package is of older revision than stock... perhaps they're no longer updated... hmmm...

I was also thinking about optimizations within stock app I was just mentioning. Does it check CPU capabilities and uses appropriate path/dll/etc. for advanced CPU instructions? Or just uses 386-style instructions and nothing more?

I think there is still many improvements to be done, since I doubt that many have non-SSE CPUs... and even though, one could remove 1% od CPUs if other CPU will have a boost that will recompensate that loss...

---

Inhouse testing made clear there is no advantage using SSE3 instead of SSE2 with GPU apps.

If you read included readme text you will see there are some options to tune the Lunatics app.
I added a section best tips to it as well.

---

With each crime and every kindness we birth our future.

I was just mentioning the difference between:
AP6_win_x86_SSE2_OpenCL_ATI_r1761.exe (in Lunatics package)
against:
astropulse_6.06_windows_intelx86__opencl_ati_100.exe (in stock apps)

Ah, I see.
Well, it's the same app, no matter how executable called.
In general, yes, even GPU app can have SIMD optimization for its CPU parts.
But in this particular case SSE2 more requirement than optimization level. SSE2-enabled CPU required for this app to run. And doing CPU optimization not too much beneficial if app does most calculations on GPU.
Regarding old rev in pack - we are working on new pack now and until then one can download separate apps (and they will be newer and faster than stock).
And regarding more improvements - yes, almost always there is some room for improvements. Currently we "understaffed" just as main Berkley's crew is. So if someone knows how to program and wants to add some improvement one is welcomed!
SETI code is open source (Lunatics' mods too of course) and can be downloaded from Berkeley's repository anonymously. But better to share local modifications with others so better get in touch with crew if some patch is available.

---

SETI apps news
We're not gonna fight them. We're gonna transcend them.