SMP Problem

[PorPorMe]

I just tried to get a 2nd SMP client running on my quad rig. It installed corectly but it won't config. Each attempt to config and it goes back to the cmd prompt. I tried just the .exe with the same results.
Any ideas as to what the problem might be?

[cw823]

which SMP, and which OS? I haven't run SMP in SO long, the GPU route has been cheaper for me, with better numbers as well. But I may be able to help figure the issue out....

[PorPorMe]

I run both the SMP and GPU on both rigs. The Mpich version of SMP on Win 7 x64 is the one I'm trying to double up on.

EDIT:
If you add SMP your PPD will climb another 2k or so.

[ThunderRd]

Originally Posted by PorPorMe

I just tried to get a 2nd SMP client running on my quad rig.

Are you saying that you want to run two SMP clients on the same machine? We used to do that (2 years ago, completely unsupported, with setting core affinities) before the core improvements, but I'm not sure why you would do it anymore, since there will be little gain now that the cores more efficiently use the cpu.

It's also better for the science if you run one client per cpu. That is because the WU generations depend on the return of the previous WUs; running multiple clients would slow down the return of each WU, slowing down the scientific progression of the new WUs. Read this: Dual Linux SMP clients on Quadcore

In any case, if you still want to do this, and if it is dropping out to the prompt, you're probably using an outdated version of the client. Download a new one from the site.

[PorPorMe]

I know it's unsupported and if it's not going to do any good then maybe it should be ammended or removed from the AOA faq's. What do you think?
I just thought I'd give it a shot.

[ThunderRd]

I didn't say it won't do any good. It will increase your total ppd somewhat, although much less than when it was written. What I was trying to say is, it isn't the way that Pande prefers us to return results.

I said in the how-to that I wrote it as an experiment. I still use it to check for stability. It causes massive heat and is a challenge to any cpu/cooling system, and for that alone it has value in the community.

Maybe I'll add a link to the other thread where the scientific angle is better explained.

EDIT: Done, and linked.

[ThunderRd]

@Michael:
BTW, you should try it if you are inclined. YMMV, but it's worth it to see if your rig will stand up. Try downloading a new client file as I said before. I think that is your problem with getting it started.

[PorPorMe]

Ok-I'll play around with it. I've got more than adequite cooling-OC'd 2.30GHz @ 2.76 with SMP and just under 40c, so that shouldn't be a problem.

[ThunderRd]

If you still have problems after getting a new install file you'll have to post the logfile here so I can take a look.

[PorPorMe]

Getting a new installer did the trick. It installed rather nicely. Both are running now and I'll post in an hour or two as to how they are doing.
EDIT:
This time I installed the 2nd client without the other one running-Just FYI.

[PorPorMe]

The first indication is another 1k PPD on the 2nd SMP client with no drop in the 1st. Temps didn't change a single degree (38c) and that I've watched closely with 3 different programs.
To early to claim total success but it looks good. Will see if it holds up.

[ThunderRd]

What tool did you use to set the affinities?

[PorPorMe]

I didn't. I used the strait install-let windows do it.

[PorPorMe]

As of this morning, a different tale. 1st SMP client dropped 500 PPD, giveing me an increase of approx 500 PPD-slightly less.
I'll keep both running untill a problem occurs but hardly worth the trouble.