Can someone let me know if their machine can complete these tasks?

[IsOs]

I need help in judging stability of a dual cpu setup 700 Mhz - not overclocked. Is it within reason to expect this machine to run RC5, 2 DOS SETI clients (1 for each cpu) and PowerDVD without giving an error?

The cpu is cool only by the retail heatsink and the room is not air conditioned. There's no problem playing with PowerDVD if no SETI clients-only RC5, but with SETI clients, the playback will either generate an error or reboot the system. This is a custom made computer but not intended for overclocking that's why RETAIL CPUs were used.

A bigger/better cooler would probably solve the problem but that was not part of the original specs. We are in dispute at this time - should a better cooler be installed without additional costs?

Everyone's comment is welcome and needed. We will both monitor reponses to this thread to help us arrive in an agreement. Thanks.

 

[MaxSiren]

I work at a computer shop in Montreal, so I run into these situations all the time. The argument over whose responsibility it is when something doesn't work is a tough one.

You're not running anything out of spec, so there's absolutely no way you can be held responsible for the cost of an added heatsink, as intel chips are rated to be able to support a certain clockspeed (ie 700 in your case) at FULL LOAD.

I do however doubt a bigger heatsink will solve the problem, as the chips and retail heatsink should be adequate. If these chips were sold as OEM with no heatsink and this was added seperately, it is still the responsibility of the reseller to provide an adequate one. If this was a retail heatsink and a bigger heatsink solves the problem, have him change the processor, as it is the defective part.

If the larger heatsink doesn't solve the problem, then it's either still one of the processors, or both, or some other component, or far more likely it's the combination of software that just doesn't work.

If anyone else can run RC5, 2 DOS SETI clients (1 for each cpu) and PowerDVD without giving an error, let us know. If anyone can, then tell the reseller that the system isn't adequate for your needs, and build another one

Every once in a while someone comes into the store and thinks like I do, and I know they'll never be satisfied
There are too many grey areas.

 

[Ken g6]

I agree with MaxSiren. Try forcing RC5 to run at a higher priority, say 6, or to run 8 cruchers simultaneously. If that causes a PowerDVD error, it's probably the software. I'm guessing PowerDVD requires a set number of cycles, and with SETI it can't get enough.

 

[Fardringle]

I haven't tried two SETI clients, since my system only has one CPU, but I sometimes run RC5 (actually OGR), SETI, WinDVD (I don't have PowerDVD), Napster and an FTP server at the same time under Win2K. Things start to slow down a bit with this setup, but I've never seen any errors while doing it...

 

[Def]

On my single CPU system, which is an overclocked P3-933@1050Mhz, I can run Seti, PowerDVD, have about 4 IE's open and run Word.

Starts running VERY sluggish(compared to normal), but it can do it hours on end without a problem.

It really does sound like the chips are producing enough heat that when put under an extremely high load, they start to produce errors. I'd take it into the shop and demonstrate, then make them install a better HSF and try it out.

 

[Poof]

You don't say whether the dually is a PIII or Xeon III. There's a difference with how the 2 would run with the load that you describe.

I have a dual Xeon II 400 1Mb where I have routinely rotated either:

(2) SETI processes (one per CPU)
(1) SETI + (1) Folding@Home (one per CPU)
(1) multi-threaded RC5 + (1) SETI

... plus always-running Setiqueue, now (2) pproxies, & FTP server. I've even gamed on this machine (UT) before I finally built a gamebox.

The server doesn't break a sweat. And that's mainly due to the context-switching hit that I don't get with the Xeons that you would get with regular P2s or P3s (again, if that's what you have). And that's especially if you have SETI running. If those are default 256K cache CPUs, then all the worse, as your programs will battle for for that limited cache, only to get shunted (and possibly fragmented) to your "slower" RAM.

Plus, as people are finding out, SETI is NOT a "true" idle cycle only application like RC5...

BTW - my Xeons are cooled by (are you sitting down?), a retail 8" consumer fan shoved into the side of the Supermicro case and pointed up at the processors... Been running that way for 9 months now and the machine has an uptime of about 170 days on 2K advanced server (/me faints, being a Linux proponent...)

 

[IsOs]

Thanks for the replies. They were dual PIII 700 on MSI 694D-AIR.