Why is SETI faster when UR using UR PC?

[Lancelot]

When I leave the PC running for hours SETI doesn't crunch near as much as when I'm actually using the PC a few hours. This is weird cuz Seti has less resouces when I'm browsing and editing stuff etc. It's really noticeable. When I return after a few hours I'm like WTF? she did only a few percent while it's much faster when I'm working... -edit- and it's not a Power Management thing! The system is set to 'always on'.

[Basher]

What kind of screensaver do you run?

[TC]

What about your hard drive power setting? It should be set to never shut down. If it's cutting off when you leave the computer alone it will slow seti down.

[LandShark]

and turn off that fancy real time 3D fish tank screen saver too! ;)

[JigPu]

Check the BIOS... Mine are notorious for having power saving enabled with windows power saving disabled... Had to set my BIOS to always on and manually turn off everything.

JigPu

[Lancelot]

Nope, it's all turned off in BIOS and in windows, 16 hrs if I leave the PC alone. Around 11 hrs if I'm working..?!?!?!?

[dabhpr]

First, make sure you're NOT using the SETI@Home screensaver... takes WAY TOO MUCH CPU time for the screen updates. Instead, set your screen saver to "BLANK SCREEN" with a "<insert your preference here>' minute delay under setttings. I have my screensaver set to 10 minutes.

Secondly, as previously mentioned, make sure you're not using "power saving" modes. They will make a big difference in your processing times.

Third, how are you overclocking your computer? Higher FSB's will make a BIG difference in processing times. Equivalent speeds with higher multipliers will be slower than higher FSB's. SETI *likes* faster memory...

Just my $0.02 worth...

Happy New Year!