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Thread: Optimizing your Folding - the importance of CPU Priority assignment

  1. #1
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    Exclamation Optimizing your Folding - the importance of CPU Priority assignment

    Several of us have noticed wild changes in point production from various folding clients over the past month. I would like to use this thread to document our findings to help everyone here maximize their folding production.


    Principal Observation: the GPU client (ATI or NV) slows down considerably when SMP is running.

    Underlying Problem: the GPU client needs CPU cycles to feed data to the GPUs so that they can stay fully loaded and folding. This is VERY evident on the ATI clients, as they are well known to take up a full CPU core to stay loaded. What is not as well known is that the NV core shows similar issues, especially after the release of Core Version 14 yesterday.

    Example: I run two machines with two 9800GX2 video cards and Core i7 CPUs. With the CPUs fully loaded with 4 VM SMP clients (howto here: http://forum.xcpus.com/xtreme-foldin...-your-ppd.html), my GPUs were dropping in production to levels as low as 1800 PPD per GPU core (previously 4-5000).

    Solution: Give the GPU core priority for CPU cycles over everything else. We can do this manually through task manager by right-clicking on the core (fahcore_11.exe or fahcore_14.exe) and setting "Priority" to HIGH. The problem with this method is that everytime a work unit is completed, the core closes. When it re-opens with the next work unit, it is again running at default priority (low). To get around this problem we can use a program called PriFinity to monitor the status and keep the Core elevated.

    PriFinity Download: PriFinitty 2 by Ed Wilk

    Once you have Prifinity running, just select the core and "Add Selected to Favorites". You will have to do this for EACH copy of the core b/c the program maps out the running processes by their directory location, not just file name.

    After the cores have been added to the favorites list, right click them and set Priority to HIGH. Then click on "Auto Set".

    If you want these settings to be enforced when you boot up, click the Options button and select the appropriate settings.

    Screenshot:


    You can see from this screenshot that I have a mix of GPU cores running (Core 11 and 14). I also have increased the priority of the master GPU FAH process (folding@home.exe) to Above. This is optional and has minimal effect on point production.


    Please post feedback and questions to this thread.
    1: Main Rig - eVGA Classified SR-2 | 2 x Xeon X5670 @ 4.05GHz | 12GB Mushkin PC3-1600 DDR3 | OCZ IBIS 240GB RAID SSD | ATI Radeon 5770 1GB | Dual Dell 3007WFP-HC Monitors
    2: Server - eVGA X58 SLI | L5640 @ 4GHz | 6GB OCZ PC3-1866 DDR3 | Intl X25-M G2 80GB OS Drive | 6 x 1.5TB Seagate 7200.11 RAID 10



  2. #2
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    I can't find the Vmware-tray in my list..
    my little pony: friendship is magic

  3. #3
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    It's VMplayer for you.

    I'm running VMWare Workstation and it's a different process for me.
    1: Main Rig - eVGA Classified SR-2 | 2 x Xeon X5670 @ 4.05GHz | 12GB Mushkin PC3-1600 DDR3 | OCZ IBIS 240GB RAID SSD | ATI Radeon 5770 1GB | Dual Dell 3007WFP-HC Monitors
    2: Server - eVGA X58 SLI | L5640 @ 4GHz | 6GB OCZ PC3-1866 DDR3 | Intl X25-M G2 80GB OS Drive | 6 x 1.5TB Seagate 7200.11 RAID 10



  4. #4
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    Should we also be setting CPU core affinity?

  5. #5
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    No, affinity doesn't not impact PPD from what I have been able to observe.
    1: Main Rig - eVGA Classified SR-2 | 2 x Xeon X5670 @ 4.05GHz | 12GB Mushkin PC3-1600 DDR3 | OCZ IBIS 240GB RAID SSD | ATI Radeon 5770 1GB | Dual Dell 3007WFP-HC Monitors
    2: Server - eVGA X58 SLI | L5640 @ 4GHz | 6GB OCZ PC3-1866 DDR3 | Intl X25-M G2 80GB OS Drive | 6 x 1.5TB Seagate 7200.11 RAID 10



  6. #6
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    So, do we not need the affinity program anymore for the SMP clients?
    Deskop: Core i7 920|P6T Deluxe V2|R9 290|X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional|12 GB DDR3 1600|X-25M 80 GB|2 x 160 GB RAID 0|2 x 1.5 TB RAID 1|RocketRaid 640 with 2 x 3 TB RAID 1|Corsair HX850 WATT PSU|Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit|Silverstone TJ-09BW w/ USB 3.0 mod|Dell U2410 24" 1920x1200|Creative G500 5.1 Speakers|Logitech G15v2|Logitech G5
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    Old School: Athlon 64 3200+|K8N-E Deluxe|GeForce 6800|2 GB DDR 400|200 GB|PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750 WATT PSU|Windows XP Professional 32-bit|Thermaltake Shark

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  7. #7
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    Not if you run VMs.
    1: Main Rig - eVGA Classified SR-2 | 2 x Xeon X5670 @ 4.05GHz | 12GB Mushkin PC3-1600 DDR3 | OCZ IBIS 240GB RAID SSD | ATI Radeon 5770 1GB | Dual Dell 3007WFP-HC Monitors
    2: Server - eVGA X58 SLI | L5640 @ 4GHz | 6GB OCZ PC3-1866 DDR3 | Intl X25-M G2 80GB OS Drive | 6 x 1.5TB Seagate 7200.11 RAID 10



  8. #8
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    Thanks Brent
    Deskop: Core i7 920|P6T Deluxe V2|R9 290|X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional|12 GB DDR3 1600|X-25M 80 GB|2 x 160 GB RAID 0|2 x 1.5 TB RAID 1|RocketRaid 640 with 2 x 3 TB RAID 1|Corsair HX850 WATT PSU|Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit|Silverstone TJ-09BW w/ USB 3.0 mod|Dell U2410 24" 1920x1200|Creative G500 5.1 Speakers|Logitech G15v2|Logitech G5
    HTPC/Gaming: FX8320|Crosshair V Formula-Z
    |R9 270X 4GB|8 GB DDR3 1600|2 x 250 GB RAID 0|SeaSonic SSR-650RM PSU|Windows 8.1 Pro with Media Center 64-bit|SilverStone LC10B-E USB 3.0
    HP ENVY 17-1011NR: Core i7 720QM|HM55 Chipset|USB 3.0|Mobility Radeon HD 5850|8 GB DDR3 1333|2 x 320 GB|Blu-Ray|Back-lit keyboard with num pad|Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit|17.3" HP Ultra BrightView Infinity LED 1920x1080
    Old School: Athlon 64 3200+|K8N-E Deluxe|GeForce 6800|2 GB DDR 400|200 GB|PC Power and Cooling Silencer 750 WATT PSU|Windows XP Professional 32-bit|Thermaltake Shark

    Samsung Galaxy S5 Android 4.4.4

    Lenovo Ideapad K1 Android 4.1.1 with root

    Game consoles: PlayStation
    |XBOX|PlayStation 2|GameCube|XBOX 360|PlayStation 3|Wii|GameBoy Advance SP|3DS|PlayStation Portable|PlayStation Vita|XBOX One|PlayStation 4




  9. #9
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    If you have ATI cards then yes setting affinity will help those ATI clients out. As I pointed out earlier, I use WinAFC.. its more config file based than a flashy interface but the outcome is the same.

  10. #10
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    FYI - a warning for those of you that actually use your PC for other things this will cause large FPS drops in games. I haven't noticed any issue with performance with raising the SMP to high though.

  11. #11
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    You actually want SMP to the lowest possible setting.


    Raising it makes little difference in SMP WU production, but does make it compete more w/ the GPUs.
    1: Main Rig - eVGA Classified SR-2 | 2 x Xeon X5670 @ 4.05GHz | 12GB Mushkin PC3-1600 DDR3 | OCZ IBIS 240GB RAID SSD | ATI Radeon 5770 1GB | Dual Dell 3007WFP-HC Monitors
    2: Server - eVGA X58 SLI | L5640 @ 4GHz | 6GB OCZ PC3-1866 DDR3 | Intl X25-M G2 80GB OS Drive | 6 x 1.5TB Seagate 7200.11 RAID 10



  12. #12
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    First time I heard about PriFinity and I'm glad I found it here as it works like a charm.

    Thanks!

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by brentpresley View Post
    You actually want SMP to the lowest possible setting.


    Raising it makes little difference in SMP WU production, but does make it compete more w/ the GPUs.
    I dont raise the SMP.. I meant to say that I tried it and didn't notice a difference in PC performance while "high" on the GPU nearly killed my ability to game. I just adjust it back down to below while I game and its all good though.

  14. #14
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    Gotcha.
    1: Main Rig - eVGA Classified SR-2 | 2 x Xeon X5670 @ 4.05GHz | 12GB Mushkin PC3-1600 DDR3 | OCZ IBIS 240GB RAID SSD | ATI Radeon 5770 1GB | Dual Dell 3007WFP-HC Monitors
    2: Server - eVGA X58 SLI | L5640 @ 4GHz | 6GB OCZ PC3-1866 DDR3 | Intl X25-M G2 80GB OS Drive | 6 x 1.5TB Seagate 7200.11 RAID 10



  15. #15
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    What about the CPU usage requested in the GPU client config, and whether or not to disable the core affinity lock?
    "Never skimp on the Power Supply" -Me


    Core i7 920 D0 B-batch (4.1) | DFI X58 T3eH8 (Fed up with its' issues, may get a new board soon) | Patriot 1600 (9-9-9-24) (for now) | XFX HD 4890 (971/1065) (for now) |
    80GB X25-m G2 | WD 640GB | PCP&C 750 | Dell 2408 LCD | NEC 1970GX LCD | Win7 Pro | CoolerMaster ATCS 840 {Modded to reverse-ATX, WC'ing internal}

    CPU Loop: MCP655 > HK 3.0 LT > ST 320 (3x Scythe G's) > ST Res >Pump
    GPU Loop: MCP655 > MCW-60 > PA160 (1x YL D12SH) > ST Res > BIP 220 (2x YL D12SH) >Pump

  16. #16
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    Doesn't make any difference.
    1: Main Rig - eVGA Classified SR-2 | 2 x Xeon X5670 @ 4.05GHz | 12GB Mushkin PC3-1600 DDR3 | OCZ IBIS 240GB RAID SSD | ATI Radeon 5770 1GB | Dual Dell 3007WFP-HC Monitors
    2: Server - eVGA X58 SLI | L5640 @ 4GHz | 6GB OCZ PC3-1866 DDR3 | Intl X25-M G2 80GB OS Drive | 6 x 1.5TB Seagate 7200.11 RAID 10



  17. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tark View Post
    FYI - a warning for those of you that actually use your PC for other things this will cause large FPS drops in games.
    Why would you even play games while running the client?
    i7 920 D0 | MSI X58 Pro-E | Zotac GTX 275 | 3x2GB G.Skill DDR3-1333 9-9-9-24 | Corsair HX-520 | 640GB WD Caviar Black


  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by randomizer View Post
    Why would you even play games while running the client?
    you mean.. turn off F@H? that should be made illegal.

  19. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tark View Post
    you mean.. turn off F@H? that should be made illegal.
    But that's what Brent said to do
    i7 920 D0 | MSI X58 Pro-E | Zotac GTX 275 | 3x2GB G.Skill DDR3-1333 9-9-9-24 | Corsair HX-520 | 640GB WD Caviar Black


  20. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by brentpresley View Post
    Doesn't make any difference.
    Funny, because last weekend, when I attempted to utilize both the ATI GPU client, and the VMware SMP client, I did everything that you put in the OP, and opening the VMSMP client still dropped GPU usage to 50%.

    Then, when I signed up for a passkey and reconfigured the GPU2 config, I changed the priority in the client to "low" (as opposed to idle), and disabled the CPU affinity lock.
    Though, I didn't have time to re-test this, till now.

    :shrug:
    "Never skimp on the Power Supply" -Me


    Core i7 920 D0 B-batch (4.1) | DFI X58 T3eH8 (Fed up with its' issues, may get a new board soon) | Patriot 1600 (9-9-9-24) (for now) | XFX HD 4890 (971/1065) (for now) |
    80GB X25-m G2 | WD 640GB | PCP&C 750 | Dell 2408 LCD | NEC 1970GX LCD | Win7 Pro | CoolerMaster ATCS 840 {Modded to reverse-ATX, WC'ing internal}

    CPU Loop: MCP655 > HK 3.0 LT > ST 320 (3x Scythe G's) > ST Res >Pump
    GPU Loop: MCP655 > MCW-60 > PA160 (1x YL D12SH) > ST Res > BIP 220 (2x YL D12SH) >Pump

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