New Folding@Home ATI GPU2 core

[theAnimal]

Must use Cat 9.3 drivers or later.

**IMPORTANT**
If using Cat 9.3 on XP, you must also install this hotfix.. Remember to choose Custom when installing so it doesn't install any unnecessary packages.

Rename or delete the FahCore_11.exe and the .dll files in your GPU2 folding directory. The new core will be downloaded when F@H is run. (Note: This is not required as the settings will still work with the older core.)

Use the following environment variables to reduce CPU usage (with reduction in PPD if using newer core 1.24).

CAL_NO_FLUSH = 1
BROOK_YIELD = 2

If you are using FLUSH_INTERVAL, set it to 16 and then increase slowly until you find a value that works for you.

(I had FLUSH_INTERVAL = 256 with the old core, but it is now 128. My CPU usage is down to about 10% of one core and my PPD for GPU is down about 300, but I can now run an SMP on my dual core which means my net PPD is up about 500-700 ATM.)

UPDATE:

Another environment variable which can be used is CAL_PRE_FLUSH=1, although I noticed no difference at all when using it.

Additionally, the environment variables can all be used with the older core version 1.22 with the same reduction in CPU usage but without the drop in PPD.

FURTHER UPDATE:

Here is a detailed explanation of the environment variables.

 

[ElFenix]

what cards does this run on? thinking about getting a 4650 to replace the 7300le on one of my boxes

 

[theAnimal]

It runs on the HD2, 3 & 4 series.

 

[Insidious]

'bout time they cut our ATI users some slack!

Long time NVidiot here, but I will cheer from the stands everytime a move is made to unlock the power of all the ATI cards.

:thumbsup:

-Sid

 

[Drsignguy]

Originally posted by: Insidious
'bout time they cut our ATI users some slack!

Long time NVidiot here, but I will cheer from the stands everytime a move is made to unlock the power of all the ATI cards.

:thumbsup:

-Sid

I agree Sid! I like ATi and am glad to hear that their doing something about it. I have both but When it comes to numbers, Nvidia has the edge....If this latest core works out, well then I just might have to start up another rig to get my ATi's back to work...🙂

 

[geokilla]

Congratulations to ATI folders!

What are the PPD like?

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: geokilla
Congratulations to ATI folders!

What are the PPD like?

See the OP.

 

[theAnimal]

Updated OP.

 

[Duvie]

What kind of ppd does a 3870 get? Have the fixed the issue with getting a 3870x2 to work properly?


I remember just recently when newer nvidia drivers came that dropped my cpu usage completely....I went from 2 cards taking 50% usage to 0% usage....I noticed a slight drop of 200-300ppd as well with the nvidia cards. the cpus must have served a purpose....

 

[theAnimal]

I get 2100-2600ppd on my 3870@878 and 5-10% CPU usage.

 

[Assimilator1]

Cool, maybe my 4830 will be better off 🙂

*waves to Elfenix*

TheAnimal

Thanks for the heads up 🙂

Additionally, the environment variables can all be used with the older core version 1.22 with the same reduction in CPU usage but without the drop in PPD.

So in which case is their any advantage to the newer core?😕

 

[theAnimal]

The drop in PPD with the new core is due to some extra calculation which is better for the scientific results.

 

[Assimilator1]

A? it does better science but you get less points for it??😕

 

[dajeepster]

catalyst 9.4 are available

 

[Assimilator1]

They any good?

 

[Soulkeeper]

bump, excellent thread.
I just recently "upgraded" my 3870 to a gts250 for it's gpugrid and seti capabilities
hopefully we'll see ati vs. nvidia in the same projects sometime this year, for head to head comparisons 🙂
I like both nvidia and ati, but having that equal footing is good for everyone.

 

[filibusterman]

I just downloaded the gpu2 but is it supposed to perform wu by itself or just help relieve stress on the cpu calculations?

 

[theAnimal]

Originally posted by: filibusterman
I just downloaded the gpu2 but is it supposed to perform wu by itself or just help relieve stress on the cpu calculations?

The GPU does most of the work, but the CPU is used as well.

 

[Assimilator1]

Originally posted by: Assimilator1
A? it does better science but you get less points for it??😕

Have I got this right?

How's it going with the new core & cat 9.4 drivers?

OK I thought those variables went in the target line for the shortcut, but that didn't work, so where do they go??

 

[theAnimal]

They need to be set in System Properties, Advanced, Environment Variables, and then Add them to System Variables. You'll need to logoff or restart for the settings to take effect.

 

[Assimilator1]

Thanks 🙂.

I take it the variable name doesn't matter?

 

[theAnimal]

It must be all CAPS exactly as listed in my post.

 

[Assimilator1]

Yea, I'm not on about the variable (value) but the variable name (title).

Odd, hasn't worked, even though I copied & pasted it right from the start.
I did log off but I just remembered I haven't tried restarting yet, I'll try that.

 

[Assimilator1]

Nope, that didn't work either 🙁, any ideas?

 

[Assimilator1]

Sussed it 🙂, you didn't have it right for XP (I guess you're using Vista??).

As I was saying their are 2 fields to fill, Variable name & Variable value. So once done it looks like this:-

Variable name: BROOK_YIELD
Variable value: 2

So it should not be just on just 1 line as per op.
Thanks for the heads up anyway, I never would of heard of it otherwise 😉.