Just got my GPU2 up, which SMP client?

[deadlysyn]

As the title says, I just got GPU2 running on my 9800GT, cranking out about 4000 PPD at stock clocks right now. At least according to FAHspy. I got a 35x pointer sometime last night and it was reporting 5000 PPD.

So now that I have a quad rig up and running, I want to get SMP going, but I'm not sure which SMP client I should be running. I really just want to run WinSMP, as this rig is my daily driver as well. System specs is: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3LR, Q6600 (stock right now, I need better cooling) 2 GB Corsair Dominator DDR2800, and an EVGA 9800GT. All of this is running XPPro 32 bit. Which SMP client will I be better off running? I see on Stanford's page there is a DEINO client and an MPICH, and am completely unsure of which one will be the most stable for my setup.

Edit: Here's (http://folding.extremeoverclocking.com/user_summary.php?s=&u=144474) a quick look at the numbers I've been putting up since Monday.

[Outback_Jon]

I think for the most part, the DEINO SMP has been more stable for more users. It's what I'm running on a dual-core Opty under XP-32.

[cw823]

Your highest PPD option is two ubuntu VMs, to be honest. It's not as hard as it sounds

[harlam357]

This is true... however, for a daily driver with 2GB... memory could get a little tight running 2xVMs.

@deadly - I like the MPICH client, but to each his own. Some folks like Deino, as Outback_Jon said, and some MPICH. There is nothing wrong with either implementation. The main difference is the need for a constant network (LAN) connection when using MPICH. Deino does not have this limitation.

[e6600]

run two openSUSE/ubuntu vms on that quad!!
its really a pretty nice jump in PPD for the hassle involved

[MARCI]

If you're willing to do the work, the VMs are highest production. If not I think Mpich is still a little faster thant deino.

[Adak]

The mpich version is faster, and easier to set up.

With the latest client, I haven't seen any problems with stability. Do not get lazy with your install procedure though! Go in order, all the way through it.

[deadlysyn]

This is true... however, for a daily driver with 2GB... memory could get a little tight running 2xVMs.

@deadly - I like the MPICH client, but to each his own. Some folks like Deino, as Outback_Jon said, and some MPICH. There is nothing wrong with either implementation. The main difference is the need for a constant network (LAN) connection when using MPICH. Deino does not have this limitation.
Thanks h, I think this is the info I was looking for. I have a lot of devices that come and go on my network quite often, so it is easier to just let my router run DHCP.
The mpich version is faster, and easier to set up.

With the latest client, I haven't seen any problems with stability. Do not get lazy with your install procedure though! Go in order, all the way through it.
I went ahead and already set up the DEINO client, getting around 11:50 TPF on a 2653. The thing I noticed is that when I had set it up, my GPU has taken a performance hit. Looks like when I was running only the GPU2, it was putting out around 4000-5000 PPD depending on WU, but now it is down to a little less than 2900. Is there something I missed or can change to get this production back up? I tried setting up the Affinity Changer, but didn't notice any change as of yet. As a Folding Mentor, it sounds kinda funny saying that I need a Folding Mentor. I just need a little help getting pointed in the right direction.

[the_cultie]

I am also wondering about the performance hit on the GPU as i have also experienced it. I decreased the hit a bit by changing the core priority to Slightly Higher and moving the slider to the right as far as it goes in the Advanced Tab of the configuration. I also ticked Do Not Lock Cores to Specific CPU. I also discovered in the task manager that the FahCore_11.exe has its priority set to Low and Affinity set to one core (CPU1 on my PC). I can make changes to the priority and affinity in the Task Manager but when a new WU is started they reset. Is there a way have its priority set to normal or even below normal and the Affinity set to all cores?

[Outback_Jon]

I went ahead and already set up the DEINO client, getting around 11:50 TPF on a 2653. The thing I noticed is that when I had set it up, my GPU has taken a performance hit. Looks like when I was running only the GPU2, it was putting out around 4000-5000 PPD depending on WU, but now it is down to a little less than 2900. Is there something I missed or can change to get this production back up? I tried setting up the Affinity Changer, but didn't notice any change as of yet. As a Folding Mentor, it sounds kinda funny saying that I need a Folding Mentor. I just need a little help getting pointed in the right direction.
Are you using recent (180 or later - 182.06 are the latest) drivers? Anything before the 180 series takes quite a hit, as it completely ties up one CPU core to feed the GPU.

[cw823]

I am also wondering about the performance hit on the GPU as i have also experienced it. I decreased the hit a bit by changing the core priority to Slightly Higher and moving the slider to the right as far as it goes in the Advanced Tab of the configuration. I also ticked Do Not Lock Cores to Specific CPU. I also discovered in the task manager that the FahCore_11.exe has its priority set to Low and Affinity set to one core (CPU1 on my PC). I can make changes to the priority and affinity in the Task Manager but when a new WU is started they reset. Is there a way have its priority set to normal or even below normal and the Affinity set to all cores?

You have to have priority set to 96 in the GPU config, AND you need to set any SMP or VMs to "low" priority in task manager. That WILL fix the problem unless you're using old, old, drivers.

[deadlysyn]

Are you using recent (180 or later - 182.06 are the latest) drivers? Anything before the 180 series takes quite a hit, as it completely ties up one CPU core to feed the GPU.

Thanks for that. I'll have to check into my driver version. I just used the one that came on the CD with the card.

[Outback_Jon]

Thanks for that. I'll have to check into my driver version. I just used the one that came on the CD with the card.
Then that's most likely your issue. By the time they get them onto the CD and sold they're usually a few steps outdated.

[deadlysyn]

I have an update to my situation. I just downloaded the newest driver for the GPU, and right now it is working on p5770 and cranking them out at 1 MPF. Getting 5055 PPD again, while my SMP seems to have stepped up a little bit production wise too.

[the_cultie]

I had the latest drivers and i did some tweaking in the configuration and I'm getting close to 6000PPD depending on the WU.

[Outback_Jon]

I have an update to my situation. I just downloaded the newest driver for the GPU, and right now it is working on p5770 and cranking them out at 1 MPF. Getting 5055 PPD again, while my SMP seems to have stepped up a little bit production wise too.
Excellent. Glad we all could help you.