Changes coming again for bigadv Folding

[theAnimal]

EDIT: SEE THIS THREAD FOR NEW INFORMATION UPDATE --> http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2364523

Just saw this posted on Stanford's page and thought I would forward the info.

Starting Feb 17, 24 cores will be required for bigadv Folding, then April 17 the number will climb to 32 (which will eliminate my dual CPUs since I only have 24 threads).

http://folding.stanford.edu/home/changes-to-the-bigadv-threshold/

Seems like we're being pushed into GPU Folding, maybe I should look at another 780.

 

[biodoc]

That is unfortunate. People invest a lot of money in dual CPU machines. I wonder if they will eventually phase out bigadv?

 

[Ken g6]

FoldingForum has a big thread on this.

For a few thousand dollars, you can build either a 4P System and run BigAdv, or a 4 GPU system, and pull down around 800K PPD with either one.

But the way things are going, a BigAdv system will be dropped to the much slower SMP quickly, while a GPU system should maintain its speed - newer GPUs just being even faster. So it seems like GPU folding is the way to go.

 

[ZipSpeed]

The politics behind the BigAdv points is why I have moved to BOINC projects. Still, I miss generating massive points.

GPUs will definitely be more flexible - easy to upgrade and many DC rigs can accommodate at least two cards. I tried to ask for a 780 Ti for Christmas but my wife said no. Something about a baby on the way...

 

[Pokey]

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GPUs will definitely be more flexible - easy to upgrade and many DC rigs can accommodate at least two cards. I tried to ask for a 780 Ti for Christmas but my wife said no. Something about a baby on the way...

LOL, congratulations on the baby. :thumbsup:

It is hard to stay ahead of the game in Folding for sure. I'm sort of glad I didn't take the plunge on the bigadv multicore band wagon. I'll admit envy of the folks that are cranking out the credits but just couldn't pull the trigger. Of course jumping into the deep end with Linux helped make up my mind also.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Something about a baby on the way...

Yes, congrats. After the F@H race in Dec, perhaps I can throw a few points your way in honour (*), to make up for the 780.

(*) Firefox in Ubuntu claimed that the Americanized spelling of "honor" was incorrect.

 

[ZipSpeed]

Thanks guys and I'm "honored" Larry! I had a wishlist on Newegg a few years back with a SR2 and a couple Xeon processors, and I'm glad I didn't buy it either. With the way things are going, you'll be lucky to get a year or two before Stanford decides to change the rules again.