I have a GTX 460, and it sounds like dedicating a CPU core to the card could provide a significant performance increase. I have searched around, however, I am unable to find how to dedicate a CPU core to a GPU. Anyone have a link on how to do this?

Thanks in advance!

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Hi,

in this FAQs

http://www.gpugrid.net/forum_thread.php?id=2123

of skgiven you will find the answer:

You can add this Environmental System Variable to dedicate a CPU core for each GPU (just 1 thread for HT systems),
Variable name: Swan_Sync
Variable Value: 0

XP:
Start, right (alternate) click My Computer, Click Properties - Opens System Properties Window.
Click the Advanced Tab, then Environmental Variables.
Under System Variables, Click New,
For the Variable name type Swan_Sync
For the Variable Value type 0

Vista or 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

The above bit will set the environment variable, however to free up a CPU core you go into the computing prefs for BOINC and under the processor tab adjust the percentage, which defaults to 100. Depending on how many cores BOINC sees reduce the percentage appropriately.

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BOINC blog

Thanks for the help. I found that I already have Swan_Sync set to 0.

Now for the part that I am not clear on. The computer with the 460 runs World Community Grid, too, as a CPU project, and this is the only computer that I presently want to set to dedicate a CPU to the GPU.

I already have a separate set of preferences set up for this computer on GPU grid - my "home" preferences. My questions are as follows:

What is the exact setting that I would have to set in the BOINC preferences?
Does that setting apply globally to all projects and all computers or is it specific to a location, in my case "home"?

Thanks again.

All the best,
Matthew

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I believe SWAN_SYNC is no longer necessary.

Most projects use the standard BOINC configurtion and have seperate areas for BOINC settings 'When and how BOINC uses your computer'

and Project settings 'Preferences for this project'

Where you need to make the changes in in the BOINC settings.

WCG mixes the 2 different areas and calls it Device Profiles.

In either environment (or you could do it through the local preferences in BOINC Manager) set 'On multiprocessors, use:' to 99%
This will effect all machine(s) using that profile.

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Thanks - Steve