LHC@home

On a Win 2k computer with boinc 4.43 the sixtrack program only uses 1 ghz. of cpu power. I have 2.2 ghz available. I noticed that if I increase the priority of the sixtrack driver from low to below normal it does use 2.2 ghz. I was wondering if more users have this problem.
This probably makes it clear to me why my computer seems slower than other computers.

It could be that I should post this at the boinc site but i'm not entirely sure

Regards

Xavier

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Xavier,

Make sure the computer does not go into suspend/system standby mode, make sure the hard disks are never turned off. Make sure screen savers never come on, just make the monitor turn off after 10 minutes or whatever you like. Make sure your CPU heat sink and fan are not dusty and that you have adequate case ventilation.

Hope this helps.

Live long and crunch.

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Paul
(S@H1 8888)
BOINC/SAH BETA

Where are you looking to know that the computer is only using 1GHz?

Asus gives you a tool to check your cpu speed It's called cool&quite. It show at what speed you cpu is running.

AMD has introduced cool&quite technology to reduce power output when it is not nessesery. An added bonus is that your cpu runs cooler (20 degrees celcius in my case).

If you start a game like quake the cpu goes from 1 ghz. to the max 2.2 ghz in my case.

I noticed that if sixtrack runs it is at the low priority and therefor does not use the full cpu power. However if I change the priority to below normal it start to uses the full 2.2 ghz. This could be a windows problem, cool&quiet problem (feature) or a bug in boinc/sixtrack

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I have a C'n'C capable cpu as well (dual core Athlon X2)

I haven't noticed anything likely. The machine performs just excellent. No problems detected. Maybe you can check your BIOS and set it for full speed always since you have BOINC running anyways?

Sysfried
>
> I noticed that if sixtrack runs it is at the low priority and therefor does
> not use the full cpu power. However if I change the priority to below normal
> it start to uses the full 2.2 ghz. This could be a windows problem,
> cool&quiet problem (feature) or a bug in boinc/sixtrack
>
>
>

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> I noticed that if sixtrack runs it is at the low priority and therefor does
> not use the full cpu power. However if I change the priority to below normal
> it start to uses the full 2.2 ghz. This could be a windows problem,
> cool&quiet problem (feature) or a bug in boinc/sixtrack

Sounds like it's fighting with cool&quiet. It appears as though at the 'standard' LHC thread priority, cool&quiet is throttling it down. (competing priorities) When you boost LHC's priority, it's no longer 'idle' priority, and cool&quiet gets out of the way.

I could put it on full speed all the time however since LHC does not always have sufficient work units my computer is standing still and only generating heat. I have not yet found another project to my liking which I'd like to spend my cpu cycles on.
Sysfied I noticed that you use windows xp, it could be that "they" have changed something to make sure it does run on full speed. This could be limited to a windows 2000 problem then.


I think that could be it Heffed.

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For what it's worth:

There's a C&Q enabled FX-55 sitting here in the same room with mine AthlonXP 3200+ but BOINC isn't installed on the FX-55 because of the sheer amount of noise the fans make when working at 100% cpu .. that and the heat. I've been asking for some time for someone to enable a "feature" in BOINC where it does exactly what is happening to you, Xavier. It could give SpeedStep and Cool & Quiet compatible CPUs the chance to throttle back and only work at their slowest speeds for those who desire it or work at 100% cpu, user choice.

What you see as a problem is, if it happened to me, a solution to a need on my end. :)

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:) truly amazing I think I need to switch to windows xp (which I am not going to do because I don't like all the limitations build in for the general public) And Travis DJ probebly needs to switch to windows 2000 to make sure his computer does not make too much noise when running boinc.

It's a strange world we live in :)

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> I have not yet found another project to my liking which I'd like to
> spend my cpu cycles on.

Interesting. I would have thought that Einstein@Home or the upcoming AstroPulse might be of interest ... both doing exploration in the physics arena ...

Oh, well. I guess I am just too enthused ...

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Have you looked at this page? http://einstein.phys.uwm.edu/download_network.php

There is a ThreadMaster that looks to do what you want to do.

Jim

> For what it's worth:
>
> There's a C&Q enabled FX-55 sitting here in the same room with mine
> AthlonXP 3200+ but BOINC isn't installed on the FX-55 because of the sheer
> amount of noise the fans make when working at 100% cpu .. that and the heat.
> I've been asking for some time for someone to enable a "feature" in BOINC
> where it does exactly what is happening to you, Xavier. It could give
> SpeedStep and Cool & Quiet compatible CPUs the chance to throttle back and
> only work at their slowest speeds for those who desire it or work at
> 100% cpu, user choice.
>
> What you see as a problem is, if it happened to me, a solution to a need on my
> end. :)
>
>

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> And Travis DJ probebly needs to switch to windows 2000 to make sure
> his computer does not make too much noise when running boinc.

I don't personally have anything against Windows 2000 - got a free copy from Microsoft at a product launch show of theirs - and used it until XP became the mainstay. But with SLi on the FX-55 and ill-fated support for that on 2K, there's no chance at using anything other than XP. A BOINC "feature" would be far nicer!

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