How many CPU-Slots?

[gunnarre]

Ok - how do I do that?

I wrote a step-by-step guide to how to make the screensaver start and stop a folding slot here: viewtopic.php?f=108&t=36703&p=348144

You can modify that script with the slot number for your CPU, so it says

Code: Select all

FAHClient --send-unpause 00

and

Code: Select all

FAHClient --send-pause 00

in the crucial lines.

[SteffenCBC]

Thank you, that is a good, clear guide!

My GPU is slot 00, so I replaced the slot number and did everything just according to the guide, but the client does not fold during a locked screen. Even after hours the progress remains at 0.00. Did I choose the right status of the slot ("Pause" -> leads to "Paused: by user", not "on idle")? I did not understand the part about the option "pause on start" - I don't know, where to enter what string exactly.

My Ubuntu is 18.04.5 LTS, perhaps you use Ubuntu 20.x already.

[bruce]

Current generation GPUs have no half-way measures. They're either paused or they're folding.

The FAHClient is designed to detect a signal from the OS that it's idle but that signal depends on the internal workings of that particular OS (and version). Apparently that's sufficiently different that it doesn't work for everybody. The code provided above by gunnarre is certainly a reasonable substitute.

If you want it to work "on screen lock" that could probably be coded, too, but somebody would have to figure out how to do that. In the spirit of Open Software, that might eventually be included in a future official release of FAH ... or might not.

[SteffenCBC]

Now I configured pause-on-start for my GPU as described in https://test.foldingathome.org/support/ ... ion-guide/, but it does not work, even after several tries and restarts.

I would be glad, if a future release of the folding software would take care of that issue, because I am no Linux expert.

[SteffenCBC]

I got back to the configuration of all CPUs in one slot, because 9+1 slot was also not fully convincing. So now something about the CPU noise:
- 6 CPUs don't minimize the noise, contrary they add the sound of the fan starting and pausing again and again, which is at least as annoying as as the 12 CPUs running constantly.
- I opened up the case to provide you with some pictures. It was quite difficult to get a good picture of the fan's label, but I hope, it gives you all information needed.
http://chaosbeatcombo.de/bilder/HP_Z420_1.jpg
http://chaosbeatcombo.de/bilder/HP_Z420_2.jpg
http://chaosbeatcombo.de/bilder/HP_Z420_3.jpg
http://chaosbeatcombo.de/bilder/HP_Z420_4.jpg
http://chaosbeatcombo.de/bilder/HP_Z420_5.jpg
http://chaosbeatcombo.de/bilder/HP_Z420_6.jpg
There might be some space for a more advanced fan - what do you think?

[Neil-B]

as well as the cpu fan the case fans are just as important - and you issue may not be the cpu cooler but the case airflow? .. if the airflow isn't right then all the cpu fan does is heat up the air in the case so check the ambient temp in your case - if high ten improving airflow/case fans might help .. the other thing you might try is running 6 cores but adjusting the fan profile to stop the fans hunting - you may be able to find a fan speed that keeps the cpu temps under control but that isn't max fans?

[bruce]

- you may be able to find a fan speed that keeps the cpu temps under control but that isn't max fans?

Right. There should be a setting that with the fan blowing, it allows the temperature to stay just high enough for the fans to keep running continuously.

[PantherX]

Now I configured pause-on-start for my GPU as described in https://test.foldingathome.org/support/ ... ion-guide/, but it does not work, even after several tries and restarts.

I would be glad, if a future release of the folding software would take care of that issue, because I am no Linux expert.

Can you please post the log file? Ensure you include the first 100 lines which will inform us of what the system configuration is and what the client settings are. I have been using that setting for many years and never had a problem so would be keen to see how you have configured it and why it isn't behaving as expected.

[SteffenCBC]

Sorry, I have to be more specific: I could not make gunnarre's script work for reasons I don't know. The option pause-on-start worked, after I followed the FAQ and discovered that the values seem to be case sensitive "true"/"false". Before that I had followed FAH-Control GUI, in which the values are displayed as "True"/"False", which did not work. Do you still need the log?

The air circulation is not great, at the rear the computer is 10cm close to the wall and my computer stands inside an open shelf - the air leaving at the rear is quite warm and could be used for heating the room.

And now the fans: I can measure several core temperatures, but I cannot configure the fan speed: /usr/sbin/pwmconfig: There are no pwm-capable sensor modules installed. To be honest, I feel a bit uneasy about adjusting fan speed.

[Neil-B]

If you are uncomfortable then don't do it ... rather than have fan running say 100% then dropping to 50% when cpu cools then back up to 100% when the temp rises setting the fan curve to drop to say 65% rather than 50% might keep the temps from rising thereby stopping then 'hunting' and actually keep temps more stable ... is there an intake fan buried in the front of the case? ... what difference are your temps running with case closed up and with panel off?

[bruce]

Well, it sounds like you found the problem. 10cm isn't enough. I presume if you run the same computer in the middle of the room, it works properly. Now it's a matter of finding a workable fix to get the heat into room.

I had a similar problem running a computer in a semi-closed space and ended cutting a hole and adding a fan to the containing box.

[SteffenCBC]

I think it, coud be an intake fan next to the speaker and harddisks, but I am not sure. I might open the case again, when the kid is in bed.

Here are my first observations:
1. Computer close to the wall, about 8 cm: max core temperature 87 °C, average 86° C, lots of fan activity
2. Computer close to the wall, about 10 cm: max core temperature 82 °C, average 81° C, less fan activity
3. a bit more airflow around the computer: max core temperature 82 °C, average 79° C, less fan activity (no difference to 3.)

[Neil-B]

Reckon you may see into the 70s with panel off ... that will give you the target to aim for with airflow using fans ... obviously won't be quite like that but you should be able to judge what reduction in fan noise you could get by running cooler

[SteffenCBC]

The noise reduction so far has been appreciated - thank you!

It is an intake fan indeed, so I have fans for intake, outtake, CPU (one big and one small), RAM (next to the outtake) and GPU.

I have the fans slightly hunting up and down, but not much I think. It gets a lot worse when I fold with half of the cores only. So I will see, if I can get a glimpse at the fan profile - last time, I could not figure out how to. And then I can think about adjusting again.

Here is a video running under full steam: http://www.chaosbeatcombo.de/bilder/fol ... nd_GPU.mp4
Some faint clinking noise seems to come from the CPU or it's fan. What do you think?

Even with one side open the average temperature is about 79° C and peaks at 81° C.

With all folding off the sound is nearly the same.

[Neil-B]

What temp does it run at with fah not running and as little other stuff as possible running ... I'm trying to work out if either the thermal paste might be past it and/or the fan has an issue - audio not clear for me at the moment sitting in lounge watching tv with family - is the noise a clicking or could it be very small air bubbles bubbling around cooler system? ... Is the sound different if the pc is run on its side (with the cooler above the cpu) rather than upright? - trying to see if there is air in the liquid cooler system