Thread 'GPU Only config?'

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Sara404

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Joined: 10 May 10
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Message 32692 - Posted: 10 May 2010, 5:07:02 UTC

Hi,

I looked around but didn't have much success in finding a way to use the GPU only, I don't ever want it to fetch let alone use CPUs on my computer.

I spend most of my day doing mundane boring things such as email and excel, it would be fine for Boinc to use the GPU to it's hearts content all day long just as long as it doesn't use the CPU.

I have both % of processor and % of cpu time set to 10% but there isn't a 0% setting to NEVER use cpu time heh... no point in getting blocks tagged for the CPU that won't ever complete in the time allowed!

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
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Les Bayliss
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Message 32693 - Posted: 10 May 2010, 5:26:13 UTC - in response to Message 32692.  

You HAVE to use the cpu!
This is what feeds the work to and from the gpu.
And at least one project uses both for it's work units.

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ProfileJord
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Message 32695 - Posted: 10 May 2010, 5:43:34 UTC
Last modified: 10 May 2010, 6:34:30 UTC

There are no GPU applications that run on the GPU only. All applications run on the CPU. No operating system in this world knows how to run applications on the GPU only.

The application running on the CPU will translate the contents of the task to kernels that the GPU can work with, then the CPU will transport those kernels to the GPU's memory. The GPU will calculate through these kernels, after which the CPU will move the data back to disk and transport the next batch of translated work to the GPU's memory.

By setting % of CPUs and CPU time to 10%, you're doing the following:
Percentage of CPUs 10% = This is an integer number. int (amount of CPUs < 100) / 100 * 10 = 0 CPUs.
Percentage of CPU time = throttling the CPU and GPU, 9 seconds suspended 1 second of doing work per 10 seconds. By throttling the CPU you will also throttle the GPU, since the CPU will translate the work for and transport it to the GPU and back.
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ProfileGundolf Jahn

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Message 32698 - Posted: 10 May 2010, 7:41:11 UTC - in response to Message 32692.  
Last modified: 10 May 2010, 7:47:11 UTC

Furthermore, it's using the GPU to which your display is connected for crunching that makes your system seem sluggish. Perhaps you should disable your GPU, not (all) the CPU(s),[edit] at least if you are actively using your computer[/edit].

Most projects that offer GPU tasks have a setting in the project preferences to disable downloading CPU work.

Gruß,
Gundolf
Computer sind nicht alles im Leben. (Kleiner Scherz)
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Robert P. Herbst

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Message 32731 - Posted: 11 May 2010, 18:30:45 UTC - in response to Message 32692.  

The Boinc SETI program does not use your computer when you are using it. You control this with your "PREFERENCES" option.
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Robert P. Herbst

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Message 32732 - Posted: 11 May 2010, 18:32:41 UTC

Got a problem: I'm running three Graphic Cards in an SLI Arrangement but SETI sees only two of them, is there a way to make SETI see all three cards with their GPU's?
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ProfileJord
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Message 32733 - Posted: 11 May 2010, 20:37:28 UTC - in response to Message 32732.  

Seti doesn't see anything, it's a project. You must mean BOINC and it detecting the amount of GPUs. To be able to use any GPU you:
a) use the <use_all_gpus> flag in cc_config.xml; see this FAQ for details.
b) may need to add a monitor or VGA dummy plug to all videocards.
c) may need to stretch the desktop over all the videocards.


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Thamir Ghaslan

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Joined: 15 Dec 08
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Message 32753 - Posted: 12 May 2010, 16:14:04 UTC - in response to Message 32733.  
Last modified: 12 May 2010, 16:40:51 UTC

I have boinc 6.10.53

Read the faq and followed it by the letter, did'nt do any good to what I'm trying to achieve.

I have 4 gpus, 5970 and 4870x2. 5970 goes to my computer monitor, 4870 goes to a flat screen.

boinc sees them as device 0,1: (5970) 2,3: (4870)

This flag did'nt stop the gpus.

<cc_config>
<options>
<exclusive_gpu_app>vlc.exe</exclusive_gpu_app>
</options>
</cc_config>

My ultimate goal is to stop GPU 2 and keep the other 3 running when I watch movies.

the flag <ignore_ati_dev>2</ignore_ati_dev> does this trick, but as stated, only when vlc is running.
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Message boards : Questions and problems : GPU Only config?

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