Can I Run BOINC?

Message boards : Questions and problems : Can I Run BOINC?
Message board moderation

To post messages, you must log in.

AuthorMessage
RobertMiller

Send message
Joined: 6 May 10
Posts: 3
United States
Message 32629 - Posted: 6 May 2010, 12:00:58 UTC

So... I found this project and I have to say I really dig what it's designed for. I have two computers and there's a lot of time where they run idle... being able to give back some with them is a neat concept I can get behind.

To that extent, I need to find out if my computers can even run BOINC. I have BOINC running right now, and it says it's doing work, but when I look at the messages it keeps telling me nothing is actually being done because I don't have a proper ATI GPU for Supporting Double Precision Math or a Nvidia GPU.

So, here are my system specs for my Laptop:

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7600) (7600.win7_gdr.100226-1909)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 1545
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A13
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU P7450 @ 2.13GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.1GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 4092MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7600.16385 32bit Unicode
---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4330
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9552)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9552&SUBSYS_02AA1028&REV_00
Display Memory: 2040 MB
Dedicated Memory: 250 MB
Shared Memory: 1790 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: LGD0266
Native Mode: 1366 x 768(p) (59.636Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.14.0010.0678 (English)
Driver Version: 8.631.0.0
DDI Version: 10.1
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1

------------------------------------------------------

I haven't attempted hooking my Desktop up yet to BOINC, but it has an 8800 Nvidia Card running, so I would assume it will work. I'll post the specs up whenever I get home from work (;p)

Anywho.... I'd appreciate someone taking a look and helping me figure out if I can use this program and participate in projects.
ID: 32629 · Report as offensive
Profile Jord
Volunteer tester
Help desk expert
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 29 Aug 05
Posts: 15490
Netherlands
Message 32631 - Posted: 6 May 2010, 12:31:28 UTC - in response to Message 32629.  

You can run BOINC and most of the projects, on your CPU.

What you can't do is do is Milkyway on the ATI GPU, since it requires double precision, a function on the videocard that the 4330 doesn't support.

Do know that BOINC is just a managing program, it doesn't actually do any of the crunching of work. That's done by the individual science applications made by the projects that you attach to.

For an overview of what the new GPU crunching is, check out my GPU crunching FAQ, it'll explain in quite some detail what's what and what to look out for.
ID: 32631 · Report as offensive
RobertMiller

Send message
Joined: 6 May 10
Posts: 3
United States
Message 32632 - Posted: 6 May 2010, 12:34:01 UTC

Understood!

I'm currently on a few projects that are giving me the Nvidia GPU Issue (SETI, Einstein).

Should I avoid these projects, along with the ATI Math Precision GPU?
ID: 32632 · Report as offensive
Profile Jord
Volunteer tester
Help desk expert
Avatar

Send message
Joined: 29 Aug 05
Posts: 15490
Netherlands
Message 32633 - Posted: 6 May 2010, 12:47:55 UTC - in response to Message 32632.  

No need to avoid any of those projects. All of them give you work to do on the CPU as well. The message about no work being sent to your ATI GPU will eventually peter out until it's checked once every 24 hours. That is, if you do no manual updates on the projects, as else the count down for that scheduler is reset.

BOINC has two schedulers built in, one for CPUs and one for GPUs when it detects one. On all projects but for GPUGrid, you can use the CPU. On some projects, as shown in my FAQ, you can use the GPU, be it of an ATI brand, an Nvidia brand or both.

Milkyway has an option in their project preferences to select whether or not you want to use the ATI GPU. Set it to No over there and the message about your GPU not being double precision will go away.

Do know that this will affect only Milkyway. Other projects do not have this preference (yet).
ID: 32633 · Report as offensive
RobertMiller

Send message
Joined: 6 May 10
Posts: 3
United States
Message 32634 - Posted: 6 May 2010, 12:59:01 UTC

That makes a lot more sense, because I see it doing work... but it kept giving me an error on the GPU. It's good to know it still clocks off my CPU.

Thanks a lot for the information!
ID: 32634 · Report as offensive

Message boards : Questions and problems : Can I Run BOINC?

Copyright © 2024 University of California.
Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation.