Talking with a school to get their computers to run [email protected]

1451 Views 37 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Lige, Dec 4, 2009

Lige

Discussion Starter · Nov 25, 2009

I am currently talking to my former High School principal to have [email protected] installed on their computers and how he feels about buying specific parts (Mainly GPUs) to fold for the team OCN. If folding for our own team, fold for the school itself at least. Either way, folding for the cause. Any suggestions, turning points, arguments, or ways I can lean it in my favor?

I know several people have done this in the past, how did it turn out for you? Did it end up working efficiently? Did it get shutdown at all?

1 - 20 of 38 Posts

low strife

· #2 · Nov 25, 2009

If they buy their power based on usage, you're screwed more or less. If they get a fixed rate for "unlimited" power, there is no reason not to do at least CPU folding if not GPU too.

Lige

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 25, 2009

That is what I am hoping for. Though, I would have to assume that they buy it at a fixed rate. Due to the fact they leave everything running in the school. Even the AC on overnight.

low strife

· #4 · Nov 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH0

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That is what I am hoping for. Though, I would have to assume that they buy it at a fixed rate. Due to the fact they leave everything running in the school. Even the AC on overnight.

Wow... What a waste.

In that case, there are the obvious benefits of running [email protected] that you already know... And as for the computers themselves, people won't even know they're running them. The hardware (shouldn't) decay further, and the A\\C units in the rooms should already be able to handle the increased heat output.

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tagurtoast

· #5 · Nov 25, 2009

Tell them what it uses exactly and what it does so like It uses the power of your computers when not in use and helps to fold proteins.

T3h_Ch33z_Muncha

· #6 · Nov 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tagurtoast

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Tell them what it uses exactly and what it does so like It uses the power of your computers when not in use and helps to fold proteins.

i really wish people would stop saying that. With [email protected] on your performance will be far lower (in games for example) than with it off. it is no different to any other app.

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Lige

Discussion Starter · #7 · Nov 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3h_Ch33z_Muncha

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i really wish people would stop saying that. With [email protected] on your performance will be far lower (in games for example) than with it off. it is no different to any other app.

Good, I hope the students actually learn with it installed then.

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low strife

· #8 · Nov 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3h_Ch33z_Muncha

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i really wish people would stop saying that. With [email protected] on your performance will be far lower (in games for example) than with it off. it is no different to any other app.

Well it's not like they're going to be running games on the school computers with a Intel 3100.

Oh OP, if you have anything like this, they'll only have ~250 watt power supplies, which isn't enough for a GPU.

http://www.dell.com/content/products...=us&l=en&s=k12

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Lige

Discussion Starter · #9 · Nov 25, 2009

Yeah, I realize that. I will be seeing if he can buy an actual rig for the project.

tagurtoast

· #10 · Nov 25, 2009

Well I found that once you set it in task manager to the lowest priority and only set it to 90% MAX , it is quite hard to tell that it is running.

Eg I have my i7 SMP folding on 6 threads and the gpu takes another thread leaving it at 88 percent CPU then 12 percent for system and firefox, When gaming I just pause the GPU client which gives 1 thread back to normal use and the GPU.

On my Mums comp P4 non ht (upgrading to HT soon) I have the CPU SMP client set to 90% and the lowest priority and She hasnt complained after I set it to the lowest priority instead of normal.(she used to pretty much everyday and I didnt tell her I changed anything and she stopped complaining.

Coma

· #11 · Nov 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3h_Ch33z_Muncha

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i really wish people would stop saying that. With [email protected] on your performance will be far lower (in games for example) than with it off. it is no different to any other app.

Yes, it is. It runs on low priority.

I can game at full speed with x264 encoding with low priority in the background. If there's no game running, it uses 100% of my CPU.

You're doing something wrong, or changing the priority.

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T3h_Ch33z_Muncha

· #12 · Nov 25, 2009

2

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH0

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Good, I hope the students actually learn with it installed then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by low strife

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Well it's not like they're going to be running games on the school computers with a Intel 3100.

Oh OP, if you have anything like this, they'll only have ~250 watt power supplies, which isn't enough for a GPU.

http://www.dell.com/content/products...=us&l=en&s=k12

:facepalm:. hence the "example". [email protected] slows up everything when in use. but if it was turned down or off during some parts of the day it shouldn't impact classes much.

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tNok85

· #13 · Nov 25, 2009

If he does bring up performance, would it not be possible to set up a scheduled task to start the [email protected] clients at a certain time (after the school day) and to end them before classes start?

tagurtoast

· #14 · Nov 25, 2009

Also OP if you end up getting the Principle to buy a rig (hopefully you can build one)
Go for a i7 920 (maybe try OC it to 4ghz with some aftermarket cooler (which would be like 11kPPD))
And a classified 4 way SLI with the like 8 PCIex16 slots

and like 12gb of ram and So on.

If you did that you COuld spend as much as he is willing on GTX295s then for the rest just get 9800gx2s or Single slot 9800s or something else single slot on the cheap (nvidia).

Lige

Discussion Starter · #15 · Nov 25, 2009

It is, though, they used to be on Novell, which is a terrible platform. If they went to Active Directory, then it would definitely be easier.

We will see what actually does happen. He wants to set up three days to talk about it, we will go from there. Obviously happening after Thanksgiving break.

T3h_Ch33z_Muncha

· #16 · Nov 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tNok85

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If he does bring up performance, would it not be possible to set up a scheduled task to start the [email protected] clients at a certain time (after the school day) and to end them before classes start?

yes, AFAIK fahmon can do that.

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Powelly

· #17 · Nov 25, 2009

I spoke to my computer administrator at my high school (who I am very good friends with) about installing [email protected] on the desktops (which were left on 24/7 anyways). He dismissed the idea saying it would be too much effort which is very unfortunate

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tagurtoast

· #18 · Nov 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by T3h_Ch33z_Muncha

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yes, AFAIK fahmon can do that.

Exactly how do you do that? Id like to know for my buddys comp cause he always forgets to turn folding back on.

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T3h_Ch33z_Muncha

· #19 · Nov 25, 2009

no idea sorry :/ probably better to ask someone with more folding knowledge.

neurolysis

· #20 · Nov 25, 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tNok85

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If he does bring up performance, would it not be possible to set up a scheduled task to start the [email protected] clients at a certain time (after the school day) and to end them before classes start?

You could always just set up a start -> request quit batch.

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