Thanks skgiven. I will try report_results_immediately. Swan_sync sounds complicated to me.

SWAN_SYNC is fairly easy to setup and use on Windows.
All you have to do is add the environmental variable, set the value to zero, and restart the system. It has to be used in conjunction with a free core to see the full benefits, so just configure Boinc to use one less CPU core.

I think it's easier than creating a cc_config.xml file, but try both. I'm sure you can follow the instructions and add the variable if you try.

The relevant parts from the FAQ - Best configurations for GPUGRID

To setup SWAN_SYNC on Win7:

Start, right (alternate) click Computer, Click Properties - Opens System Window.
Click Advanced System Settings (left side), then Environmental Variables.
Under System Variables, Click New,
For the Variable name type SWAN_SYNC
For the Variable Value type 0

To report tasks immediately on Vista or win 7:
Create or edit the cc_config.xml file in this folder, C:\ProgramData\BOINC\

Just use Notepad to create a .txt file first. Add the following lines:

<cc_config>
<options>
<report_results_immediately>1</report_results_immediately>
</options>
</cc_config>

Then 'Save As' and type the .xml file extension, cc_config.xml (you will have to allow notepad to save all file types in the save as window).

Good luck,

Take a look at my machines and that should answer your question.

Both GTX460's Oc'd GPU 850 Shaders 1700 Memory 2025 Voltage Stock Max Heat 68c

OK. I had a brief flirtation with folding@home - too complicated, so here I am again.

My Asus GTX 460 is up and running, crunching GPUGRID WUs. Also active is Asus's SmartDoctor. With SmartDoctor I set "Engine" to 850, your 'GPU 850'(?). Temperature is at 65C.

With SmartDoctor I can also set "Vcore" and "Memory". Vcore ranges from 1 to 1.087. Memory ranges from (DDR) 3400 to (DDR) 3800.

How do these setting relate to your "Shaders" and "Memory"?

Perhaps I need a different control application?

Thanks, Tom

Yes, GPU 850 and that should take your shaders to 1700. Memory should be 2025

Leave V Core alone.

Try EVGA Precision. Google it.

---

Radio Caroline, the world's most famous offshore pirate radio station.
Great music since April 1964. Support Radio Caroline Team -
Radio Caroline

Try EVGA Precision. Google it.

That's it! Core 855, Shader 1710, Memory 2027, Temperature 55C.

Thank you!!

Tom

Try EVGA Precision. Google it.

That's it! Core 855, Shader 1710, Memory 2027, Temperature 55C.

Oops:



What I set on the right is not reflected on the left. And I did click "apply".

What have I done wrong??

Thanks, Tom

Click "Apply" and check "Apply at windows startup" and reboot.

---

Radio Caroline, the world's most famous offshore pirate radio station.
Great music since April 1964. Support Radio Caroline Team -
Radio Caroline

That looks like the clock speeds were throttled by the NVidia drivers.

Your clocks might be slightly too high.
You should also set the power to Max.

Right click on the desktop, click NVIDIA Control Panel,
On the Left side click Manage 3D Settings,
Try to find the power setting and change it from auto to max performance.

Click "Apply" and check "Apply at windows startup" and reboot.

That did it. Thank you!

Tom

I think I'm finally getting the hang of getting the best out of my GTX 460. I only run the long WUs, in about 18.5 hours. After the current WU is finished I'm ready to reboot with SWAN_SYNC 0, and report results immediately. I've already freed up a core for the GPU.

One final(?) problem: Typically I get a new WU 12 hours before the active WU finishes so I can never get the 50% bonus unless I nursemaid BOINC's "no new tasks" option. Is there a way to persuade BOINC to download, say, one hour before the active WU finishes?

Thanks, Tom

Is there a way to persuade BOINC to download, say, one hour before the active WU finishes?

If you have 24/7 connectivity then in your preferences set "Connect about every..." to 0 and "Additional work buffer" to 0.1. That's what I have and I get a new task about an hour before the running task finishes.

Hi
Boinc manager (advanced view)/advanced/preferences/network usage/then change
"connect about" to 0.00 and additional work buffer to 0.05 click ok to save.
That should do it.:)
Chris.
edit.beaten by Dagorath:) 0.2 is about 4hours 40 mins ,.0.1 2hours 20 mins
0.05 about 1 hour 10 mins.

Is there a way to persuade BOINC to download, say, one hour before the active WU finishes?

If you have 24/7 connectivity then in your preferences set "Connect about every..." to 0 and "Additional work buffer" to 0.1. That's what I have and I get a new task about an hour before the running task finishes.

Great! Thank you!! Did that...

Boinc manager (advanced view)/advanced/preferences/network usage/...

I'm running BOINC 6.12.33 and the preferences are under the tools tab...

Is there a way to persuade BOINC to download, say, one hour before the active WU finishes?

Hi All this is fine but most effective and can control when you want to download the tasks is the following.

In the Projects tab select "Do not download new tasks" and when we want to get more work simply select "Allow new tasks".

To optimize the working time it is best to wait to ask the previous tasks have been sent and if we are with long run times in danger of losing the bonds.

In addition to controlling the discharge of the tasks we avoid the BOINC client is asking the server to ask for this task and respond continuously to not send anything. Greetings.

Is there a way to persuade BOINC to download, say, one hour before the active WU finishes?

Hi All this is fine but most effective and can control when you want to download the tasks is the following.

In the Projects tab select "Do not download new tasks" and when we want to get more work simply select "Allow new tasks".

To optimize the working time it is best to wait to ask the previous tasks have been sent and if we are with long run times in danger of losing the bonds.

In addition to controlling the discharge of the tasks we avoid the BOINC client is asking the server to ask for this task and respond continuously to not send anything. Greetings.

Just set connect to 0
amd additional to 0

and it wont download new until last one is finished

---

Radio Caroline, the world's most famous offshore pirate radio station.
Great music since April 1964. Support Radio Caroline Team -
Radio Caroline

Can you please tell me if the GTX 460 can now perform to its maximum capability on GPUGRID, ... ?

GPUGRID can still use only the 2/3 of the shaders of any CC2.1 cards (GTX 460, GTX 560 etc). It is not clear, if GPUGRID could ever use all of the shaders of CC2.1 cards.

Has this problem been fixed in the new version?

Unfortunately no.

---

Thanks - Steve

Thanks for the reply. It seems like such an easy fix. Test for compute capability 2.1, then use 48 shaders per SM instead of 32 for the compute 2.1 cards. Kind of makes one wonder. Am I missing something?

Well - after a month+ of crunching GPUGRID on my Asus GTX 460 I have to say I'm very happy with its performance.

With core @ 850, shader @ 1700 and memory @ 1800, EVGA Precision tells me the GPU temperature is a constant 65, and the GPU usage is 82-83%. The fan speed % is less than 50 and the fan noise is very acceptable; wife does not notice it!!

I only do "Long Runs - 8-12 hours on fastest cards" and I do them in 10.5 to 16.5 hours. And I get the 50% credit bonus every time! I think that's pretty good for a mid-range card running an application that does not use all the shaders!

Tom

---