Low GPU Utilization Using Standard Apps - Fixable?

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Paul

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Message 1566044 - Posted: 2 Sep 2014, 5:10:39 UTC

I used to run the Lunatics apps and would sometimes loose my jobs when I had to update an app or tweak the app_info.xml file. I now rely more on GPUs than CPUs for my number crunching and, when I made that change, I figured I didn't need to use the optimized applications. (Maybe this is not true?) So, now I run the sock apps and haven't any app_info.xml file for tweaking.

I notice, however, that my GPUs are not being utilized well. My Radon 7870 GPUs are only running about 60% (up from ~50%, now that I freed up an ALU).

Do I have to use the anon platform to convince BOINC to run more jobs on my GPU? Or, is there someway to do it using "onymous" platforms?
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Profile Michel Makhlouta
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Message 1566064 - Posted: 2 Sep 2014, 6:05:15 UTC

You can add additional jobs till you get a utilization in the 90's. Create an app_config.xml file in C:\ProgramData\BOINC\projects\setiathome.berkeley.edu\ and add the below:
<app_config>
<app>
<name>setiathome_v7</name>
<gpu_versions>
<gpu_usage>0.33</gpu_usage>
<cpu_usage>0.06</cpu_usage>
</gpu_versions>
</app>
<app>
<name>astropulse_v6</name>
<gpu_versions>
<gpu_usage>0.33</gpu_usage>
<cpu_usage>1.00</cpu_usage>
</gpu_versions>
</app>
</app_config>

0.33 will run 3 WU in parallel on the GPU, 0.5 will run two, 0.25 will run 4, etc... you might want to start with 2 first and see how it goes. Keep an eye on the temperatures and check if running 2 in parallel is actually faster than running them consecutively.
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Message 1566262 - Posted: 2 Sep 2014, 22:29:55 UTC - in response to Message 1566064.  

Thanks Michel,

While that is what I was hoping to achieve--add more jobs to my GPUs by changing the preset usage estimate--your suggestion is just the sort of risky option I'm trying to avoid.

If I can help it, I don't want to switch back to the anonymous platform configuration you are suggesting for several reasons:

* Any error in the configuration file will not work *and* delete all my jobs and apps.
* The configuration you suggest specifies only two apps, while I already have 7 different stock binaries that were downloaded automatically by BOINC: 4 MB binaries and 3 AP binaries. AFAIK, app_info.xml cannot be used this way. I take it you are sure it will work?
* Is this actually anonymous platform or is it some type of simple override for the usage estimates? Because the latter is exactly what I want.
* When using your suggested config, will BOINC still manage new MB & AP app versions when they are released?

I understand how the config you are proposing adds more jobs to my GPU. I'm aware of some of the usage control options. But what are the side-effects? I hope you will just tell me there aren't any. But my personal experience with anon platform tells me it just doesn't work that way. I hope my experience is just outdated.
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Message 1566274 - Posted: 2 Sep 2014, 23:32:01 UTC - in response to Message 1566262.  

I don't want to switch back to the anonymous platform configuration you are suggesting ...

No, he is Not suggesting Anonymous platform app_info.xml

He is suggesting app_config.xml (which can be used with stock apps)
 


- ALF - "Find out what you don't do well ..... then don't do it!" :)
 
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Claggy
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Message 1566277 - Posted: 2 Sep 2014, 23:39:16 UTC - in response to Message 1566262.  
Last modified: 2 Sep 2014, 23:52:07 UTC

* The configuration you suggest specifies only two apps, while I already have 7 different stock binaries that were downloaded automatically by BOINC: 4 MB binaries and 3 AP binaries. AFAIK, app_info.xml cannot be used this way. I take it you are sure it will work?

There are only two types of work here at present, ie setiathome_v7 and astropulse_v6 (setienhanced has no work), so only two entries required.

Edited for mistype, thanks.

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Message 1566278 - Posted: 2 Sep 2014, 23:42:59 UTC - in response to Message 1566262.  

* Any error in the configuration file will not work *and* delete all my jobs and apps.

An error in making an app_config.xml doesn't loose any work, you're not editing the app_info.xml so there is no risk in loosing work, all you'll receive is a notice reporting an error in the app_config.xml

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Message 1566280 - Posted: 2 Sep 2014, 23:46:03 UTC - in response to Message 1566277.  
Last modified: 2 Sep 2014, 23:52:16 UTC

setiathome_v7 and astropulse_v7

;) Of course it is still astropulse_v6 but even when astropulse_v7 will be here the above app_config.xml will not stop new stock apps to run

(and if someone still didn't notice: the OP is using Linux (so directory will be in different place, but app_config.xml is still applicable and have the same format/contents as in Windows))
 


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Message 1566281 - Posted: 2 Sep 2014, 23:51:04 UTC - in response to Message 1566262.  

* When using your suggested config, will BOINC still manage new MB & AP app versions when they are released?

Yes, as long as the app versions are for setienhanced_v7 and astropulse_v6, then the app_config.xml will continue to override Stock or app_info settings, although once astropulse_v7 arrives you'll need to add an entry for that,
and the good thing is you can make changes to the app_config.xml, do a read config file, and the changes are used immediately, no restarting Boinc to read changes in the app_info required.

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Message 1566284 - Posted: 3 Sep 2014, 0:03:33 UTC - in response to Message 1566281.  

although once astropulse_v7 arrives you'll need to add an entry for that

Only if he (again) want more than one task per GPU
i.e. even if the app_config.xml do not have astropulse_v7 section BOINC will Download and run astropulse_v7 apps if they exist as stock for Linux

(of course you know all that, this was to clarify things to the OP)
 


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Message 1566340 - Posted: 3 Sep 2014, 4:17:38 UTC

Aha! Okay, app_config not app_info. I got it now, awesome. Thanks all!

Sorry for my confusion. This explains many confusing things I've seen posted over the years. I had these two files completely mashed together in my mind. I searched the BOINC documentation, but the sections are so similar, I didn't even notice that there were two different files for different purposes. app_config is exactly what I've been searching for. Misread the docs, how embarrassing. Many apologies!
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Message boards : Number crunching : Low GPU Utilization Using Standard Apps - Fixable?


 
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