GPUGrid Supercomputer week!

[Otis11]

Hey guys, so as most of you are familiar with, on the WCG section we have a supercomputer week every couple months to:

1) Raise awareness that we actually have these teams, and
2) Show just how Xtreme we really are

So with that, I'm proposing we do a GPUGrid Supercomputer week to start off the new year - Jan 1st - 8th.

If noone has any objections, we'll go with that, and then for our friends in the southern hemisphere we'll do another one in late June(?).

So what do you guys think? My bet is we break 5.5 Million PPD.

For any of our new found friends - Joining GPUGrid the easy way

And lkiller was kind enough to make another banner for us.

[slaveondope]

Goody I should get 2x430's in by then
Small fry's I know compared to you top dogs but still

[Kingcarcas]

Sweet, hopefully i find a job by then

[Movieman]

Can a ATI 5870 card help on this?

[Otis11]

Can a ATI 5870 card help on this?

Um... not currently. I contacted GDF over at GPUGrid to see if we can get a temporary beta test that week. Don't really expect that to come through but a smart man once told me: They can't give you what you don't ask for.

Wonder who put that crazy idea into my head?

[lkiller123]

Really excited for this!
BTW, you should really nominate yourself to be the GPUGRID captain; I am sure you are the right person.

[Kryja]

Great idea Otis.

I won't be able to up my hardware but I'll keep chugging away in the background

Fingers crossed for the bata wu's.

[[XC] Oj101]

So you're telling me that instead of the monitor I wanted I have to buy a new graphics card - damnit

[lkiller123]

So you're telling me that instead of the monitor I wanted I have to buy a new graphics card - damnit

Yes, still rockin CRTs here.

[[XC] Oj101]

Don't worry, no monitor was planned

[Snow Crash]

I'm in ... I stepped out of the *inner circle* for a while and have only been a part timing it for a bit.
I reset my cards this morning and everything seems to be going pretty well so far.

We should review the "EZ" guide and make sure we are clear on what version of drivers work best for which version OS and cards and also make sure we start with the bare minimum for entry. Some folks won't go for SWAN_SYNC, some will stay on Win7 ... we need to make sure we are clear and always respectful because the reality is GPUGrid crunching is more complicated than WCG due to the additional variables. Do we have a resident linux GPUGridder that will sign on for support during this week?

While I understand that by the very nature of this forum (XS) people should be able to handle the deets, and at the risk of sounding all corporate and junk, like Otis said, we are trying to attract new people to GPUGrid and if we are not super clear and helpful, or are to aggresive it could backfire and drive people away.

[Otis11]

I'm in ... I stepped out of the *inner circle* for a while and have only been a part timing it for a bit.
I reset my cards this morning and everything seems to be going pretty well so far.

We should review the "EZ" guide and make sure we are clear on what version of drivers work best for which version OS and cards and also make sure we start with the bare minimum for entry. Some folks won't go for SWAN_SYNC, some will stay on Win7 ... we need to make sure we are clear and always respectful because the reality is GPUGrid crunching is more complicated than WCG due to the additional variables. Do we have a resident linux GPUGridder that will sign on for support during this week?

While I understand that by the very nature of this forum (XS) people should be able to handle the deets, and at the risk of sounding all corporate and junk, like Otis said, we are trying to attract new people to GPUGrid and if we are not super clear and helpful, or are to aggresive it could backfire and drive people away.

I totally agree. I'll go through and make sure the guides are up to date as soon as finals are over and I'm moved back home (December 14th ish). If you guys see anything please point it out so that we make sure it is corrected.
I'll run through and do a fresh install on a machine just so that I know it still works.

And where did that list of ways to maximize output go? Did that ever get finished?

Anything else to add to the to do list?

[trn]

I'm in, I'll make sure I can get a few more gpu's up and running and tuned for the 'Grid.

[Otis11]

So I just heard back from GDF - unfortunately on the ATI thing their hands are tied until ATI gets a more reliable SDK which, at the earliest, wouldn't come in time for this round of super computer madness.

[werdwerdus]

make sure we include the cc_config option that makes boinc use all gpus in the system

[lkiller123]

Hey guys, what's the best GPU to get around 100 dollars?

[werdwerdus]

maybe gtx460 on sale if you can find it

[Otis11]

You could easily get a 450 for that, or another 260, but I think a 460 would be pushing it. Maybe if you got a good blackfriday deal or went on Ebay?

The other thing to look at would be a 470 of someone who decided it was better to get SLI 460s... Again, hit up ebay. Good luck - I'll let you know if I run across something.

[lkiller123]

Why I was asking? I am building a new computer for a friend in school, and I am planning to give him my 65nm GTX260 since all he is looking for is a good gaming system.

Will a GTX460/450 get into WCG's way?

[Otis11]

A 450/60 will only make a difference on WCG output if you use Swansync. I mean all GPUGrid WUs make some impact no matter what card you run them on, but we make that small sacrifice because we get much more work done in total this way. It shouldn't be noticeably different though.

[WhiteFireDragon]

hey guys, i'll be putting my rig back for this week as well. main reason i'm off temporarily is because school (have no time to maintain and check up on rigs), and also i cant afford to keep them running anymore. all my rigs combined draw around 1500w and i leave them on 24/7. i always hit tier 3 electricity rates at 16cents per kwh i think, and my bills are always in the couple hundreds. i have no income right now, so i need to pluck them off for now . but i'll gladly be back for this week

this is an excellent idea btw

[lkiller123]

Otis, does SwanSync take up a whole entire core from the processor? Or does it just inflict a higher priority for the WU?

[Otis11]

Otis, does SwanSync take up a whole entire core from the processor? Or does it just inflict a higher priority for the WU?

Quite honestly you're over my head...

I would guess it just reserves a core for use by the GPUGrid WU and that WU keeps the core entirely busy since the cpu can do anything the GPU can and more... but that's just a guess.

[[XC] hipno650]

soooo..... this means I need to use my GTX 480, GTX 460, 8800gt, GTX 275 and my pair of 8800gtx's for a whole week what are you guys doing to me I will see what i can do, name the time and I will be there with something

off topic question i seen a few charts saying the 8800gtx's won't work but I also read that "all cuda cards work" so this means that they do or don't?

Also what would you guys say is the average time for a GTX 460 to finish a WU? I just started up last night on the grid and the WU's look huge and it's only using like 70% of the GPU. is all this normal?

thanks and im looking forward to this week, the people who own my house and look at the power bill every month on the other hand won't be

[DAK1640]

Otis11 for team Captain for Jan 2011 race...