I used to run the Lunatics apps and would sometimes loose my jobs when I had to update an app or tweak the app_info.xml file. I now rely more on GPUs than CPUs for my number crunching and, when I made that change, I figured I didn't need to use the optimized applications. (Maybe this is not true?) So, now I run the sock apps and haven't any app_info.xml file for tweaking.

I notice, however, that my GPUs are not being utilized well. My Radon 7870 GPUs are only running about 60% (up from ~50%, now that I freed up an ALU).

Do I have to use the anon platform to convince BOINC to run more jobs on my GPU? Or, is there someway to do it using "onymous" platforms?

You can add additional jobs till you get a utilization in the 90's. Create an app_config.xml file in C:\ProgramData\BOINC\projects\setiathome.berkeley.edu\ and add the below:

<app_config>
<app>
<name>setiathome_v7</name>
<gpu_versions>
<gpu_usage>0.33</gpu_usage>
<cpu_usage>0.06</cpu_usage>
</gpu_versions>
</app>
<app>
<name>astropulse_v6</name>
<gpu_versions>
<gpu_usage>0.33</gpu_usage>
<cpu_usage>1.00</cpu_usage>
</gpu_versions>
</app>
</app_config>

0.33 will run 3 WU in parallel on the GPU, 0.5 will run two, 0.25 will run 4, etc... you might want to start with 2 first and see how it goes. Keep an eye on the temperatures and check if running 2 in parallel is actually faster than running them consecutively.

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Thanks Michel,

While that is what I was hoping to achieve--add more jobs to my GPUs by changing the preset usage estimate--your suggestion is just the sort of risky option I'm trying to avoid.

If I can help it, I don't want to switch back to the anonymous platform configuration you are suggesting for several reasons:

* Any error in the configuration file will not work *and* delete all my jobs and apps.
* The configuration you suggest specifies only two apps, while I already have 7 different stock binaries that were downloaded automatically by BOINC: 4 MB binaries and 3 AP binaries. AFAIK, app_info.xml cannot be used this way. I take it you are sure it will work?
* Is this actually anonymous platform or is it some type of simple override for the usage estimates? Because the latter is exactly what I want.
* When using your suggested config, will BOINC still manage new MB & AP app versions when they are released?

I understand how the config you are proposing adds more jobs to my GPU. I'm aware of some of the usage control options. But what are the side-effects? I hope you will just tell me there aren't any. But my personal experience with anon platform tells me it just doesn't work that way. I hope my experience is just outdated.

I don't want to switch back to the anonymous platform configuration you are suggesting ...

No, he is Not suggesting Anonymous platform app_info.xml

He is suggesting app_config.xml (which can be used with stock apps)

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- ALF - "Find out what you don't do well ..... then don't do it!" :)
 

* The configuration you suggest specifies only two apps, while I already have 7 different stock binaries that were downloaded automatically by BOINC: 4 MB binaries and 3 AP binaries. AFAIK, app_info.xml cannot be used this way. I take it you are sure it will work?

There are only two types of work here at present, ie setiathome_v7 and astropulse_v6 (setienhanced has no work), so only two entries required.

Edited for mistype, thanks.

Claggy

* Any error in the configuration file will not work *and* delete all my jobs and apps.

An error in making an app_config.xml doesn't loose any work, you're not editing the app_info.xml so there is no risk in loosing work, all you'll receive is a notice reporting an error in the app_config.xml

Claggy

setiathome_v7 and astropulse_v7

;) Of course it is still astropulse_v6 but even when astropulse_v7 will be here the above app_config.xml will not stop new stock apps to run

(and if someone still didn't notice: the OP is using Linux (so directory will be in different place, but app_config.xml is still applicable and have the same format/contents as in Windows))

---

 


- ALF - "Find out what you don't do well ..... then don't do it!" :)
 

* When using your suggested config, will BOINC still manage new MB & AP app versions when they are released?

Yes, as long as the app versions are for setienhanced_v7 and astropulse_v6, then the app_config.xml will continue to override Stock or app_info settings, although once astropulse_v7 arrives you'll need to add an entry for that,
and the good thing is you can make changes to the app_config.xml, do a read config file, and the changes are used immediately, no restarting Boinc to read changes in the app_info required.

Claggy

although once astropulse_v7 arrives you'll need to add an entry for that

Only if he (again) want more than one task per GPU
i.e. even if the app_config.xml do not have astropulse_v7 section BOINC will Download and run astropulse_v7 apps if they exist as stock for Linux

(of course you know all that, this was to clarify things to the OP)

---

 


- ALF - "Find out what you don't do well ..... then don't do it!" :)
 

Aha! Okay, app_config not app_info. I got it now, awesome. Thanks all!

Sorry for my confusion. This explains many confusing things I've seen posted over the years. I had these two files completely mashed together in my mind. I searched the BOINC documentation, but the sections are so similar, I didn't even notice that there were two different files for different purposes. app_config is exactly what I've been searching for. Misread the docs, how embarrassing. Many apologies!