Folding@home cpu usage issues

MrShawn305 · 06-12-2008, 12:57 AM

I have noticed on multiple machines that FAH is using only 50% of my total cpus. 25% each for dual core and so on, but the total never exceeds 50%. Does anyone else have this issue? It seems to me that alot of computing power is being lost here. I have tried setting proirity from low to above normal and setting affinity to a single cpu but no matter what I do total cpu usage never goes above 50%.

**draeh** · 06-12-2008, 07:40 AM

This is true for dual core machines. The FAH cores are really only using one core. To get the most out of a multiple cpu machine, you need to run a separate instance of FAH per core.

See this page on running multiple clients.

Cheers!

MrShawn305 · 06-12-2008, 09:12 AM

ahhh ok. I thought the app was muli-threaded, but that would make sense. Ill try that and let you all know how that works out.

Update: I tried to run another instance of it and it told me that only one instance can be run at a time and that the new instance would now quit.

BUT when I did set affinity to a single cpu it maxed it out.

**draeh** · 06-12-2008, 12:02 PM

You need to read that link. You have to copy the whole installation to a second directory and configure the new instance with a different machine id. Otherwise your work units will get muddled and they will be unusable.

They describe on that page exactly how to setup both the GUI client and command line client to achieve multiple instances.

MrShawn305 · 06-12-2008, 12:26 PM

Oh I see. I remember seti would just run multiple projects and assign each one to a core. This seems like a much better and simpler solution, maybe they will come out with an update soon for it.

**draeh** · 06-12-2008, 12:38 PM

I know that they continue to work on a threaded SMP client, but it is still in beta and not for all OSs. My guess is that they will stick with what they have at the moment until they perfect the threaded client.

MrShawn305 · 06-12-2008, 01:03 PM

yea makes sense to stick with what you got if its working for now. Hopefully they will have the threaded client out by the time my new machine comes in.

06-12-2008, 12:57 AM	#1 (permalink)
MrShawn305 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Victoria, TX Age: 23 Posts: 96	Folding@home cpu usage issues I have noticed on multiple machines that FAH is using only 50% of my total cpus. 25% each for dual core and so on, but the total never exceeds 50%. Does anyone else have this issue? It seems to me that alot of computing power is being lost here. I have tried setting proirity from low to above normal and setting affinity to a single cpu but no matter what I do total cpu usage never goes above 50%.

06-12-2008, 07:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
draeh Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austintown, Ohio Age: 36 Posts: 2,404	Re: Folding@home cpu usage issues This is true for dual core machines. The FAH cores are really only using one core. To get the most out of a multiple cpu machine, you need to run a separate instance of FAH per core. See this page on running multiple clients. Cheers! __________________ Ikariam (Alpha) Toruos[44:84]>Non Sequitur(c)-Sulfur :: Nyyos[44:85]>Obesa Cantavit-Wine Tiaayos[43:84]>Stercus Accidit-Marble :: Emytia[45:85]>Vacca Foeda-Crystal Nyyos[44:85]>Obesus Porcus-Wine Dirtboy's 2142 Evolution - Improving Situational Awareness! My Screenies - My Webpage - Xfire

06-12-2008, 09:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
MrShawn305 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Victoria, TX Age: 23 Posts: 96	Re: Folding@home cpu usage issues ahhh ok. I thought the app was muli-threaded, but that would make sense. Ill try that and let you all know how that works out. Update: I tried to run another instance of it and it told me that only one instance can be run at a time and that the new instance would now quit. BUT when I did set affinity to a single cpu it maxed it out.

06-12-2008, 12:02 PM	#4 (permalink)
draeh Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austintown, Ohio Age: 36 Posts: 2,404	Re: Folding@home cpu usage issues You need to read that link. You have to copy the whole installation to a second directory and configure the new instance with a different machine id. Otherwise your work units will get muddled and they will be unusable. They describe on that page exactly how to setup both the GUI client and command line client to achieve multiple instances. __________________ Ikariam (Alpha) Toruos[44:84]>Non Sequitur(c)-Sulfur :: Nyyos[44:85]>Obesa Cantavit-Wine Tiaayos[43:84]>Stercus Accidit-Marble :: Emytia[45:85]>Vacca Foeda-Crystal Nyyos[44:85]>Obesus Porcus-Wine Dirtboy's 2142 Evolution - Improving Situational Awareness! My Screenies - My Webpage - Xfire

06-12-2008, 12:26 PM	#5 (permalink)
MrShawn305 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Victoria, TX Age: 23 Posts: 96	Re: Folding@home cpu usage issues Oh I see. I remember seti would just run multiple projects and assign each one to a core. This seems like a much better and simpler solution, maybe they will come out with an update soon for it.

06-12-2008, 12:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
draeh Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Austintown, Ohio Age: 36 Posts: 2,404	Re: Folding@home cpu usage issues I know that they continue to work on a threaded SMP client, but it is still in beta and not for all OSs. My guess is that they will stick with what they have at the moment until they perfect the threaded client. __________________ Ikariam (Alpha) Toruos[44:84]>Non Sequitur(c)-Sulfur :: Nyyos[44:85]>Obesa Cantavit-Wine Tiaayos[43:84]>Stercus Accidit-Marble :: Emytia[45:85]>Vacca Foeda-Crystal Nyyos[44:85]>Obesus Porcus-Wine Dirtboy's 2142 Evolution - Improving Situational Awareness! My Screenies - My Webpage - Xfire

06-12-2008, 01:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
MrShawn305 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Victoria, TX Age: 23 Posts: 96	Re: Folding@home cpu usage issues yea makes sense to stick with what you got if its working for now. Hopefully they will have the threaded client out by the time my new machine comes in.

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