getting into folding

BudBud Chesterfield, Va
edited November 2003 in Folding@Home
to do folding do you need to have a seperate computer to do it on? if not how much resources does it take on you rmain system?

Comments

  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited November 2003
    No, you don't need a separate computer. The way it's set up is that it only uses excess processing power. For example, open up word or IE or something, do a ctrl+alt+del (I assume you have XP/2K/NT) and look at the task manager's CPU usage tab. It'll be at a few %, if that. the remaining power is unused; F@H simply uses what you don't. If you suddenly need 75% of your CPU power, it'll only use 25%, until your needs decrease.

    So, you don't loose any resources, because when you need them, it will let you have them automatically.
  • BudBud Chesterfield, Va
    edited November 2003
    what kind of specs are needed for folding i want to build a older system for a workstation and i would use it for folding too.
  • qparadoxqparadox Vancouver, BC
    edited November 2003
    You can fold on pretty much anything (there's different types of work units some with very long deadlines). For Gromacs (the most recent type of unit) you'd want ~400 Mhz running 24/7 to complete a work unit before the deadline.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited November 2003
    IMO, the minimum is 500MHz. However, genome @ home work units have no time limit, so they can be run on just about anything. You choose your WU preference in the control panel for the folding @ home graphical client, or when you are setting up the console client.
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited November 2003
    If you want a reasonable output you probably need 900MHz or better. I have folded on both P3 and TBird boxes at 900 and they do pretty well.
    Two of the boxes that I have folding are often used for other stuff with fah running.
    Fell free to ask questions, and don't worry about not asking things in the 'right' order, we are a pretty non-linear bunch.
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