Folding - Hints & Tips

TeaLeaf · September 15, 2003, 08:34:49 AM

If you have an AMD processor installed and running the folding client then you'll want to be running SSE - as it folds about 30% faster than normal - and that means 30% more points! Gromacs cores allow SSE, Tinker cores do not.

Edit the target line of the F@H shortcut in the startup menu to add the following:

-forceasm -advmethods

There needs to be a space after the end quote in your shortcut and then add the text. This will force SSE and mean you fold faster for more points. Wuuuuu

Hope this helps.

TL.

Tutonic · September 16, 2003, 03:12:47 PM

[14:01:34] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[14:01:34] Entering M.D.
[14:01:54] (Starting from checkpoint)
[14:01:54] Protein: p800_p53dimer800
[14:01:54]
[14:01:54] Writing local files
[14:01:55] Extra SSE boost OK.

VROOM!

Tah m8

sheepy · September 16, 2003, 06:44:20 PM

what target line , do u meen a shortcut?

i dont hvce a short cut, f@h starts as soon as computer boots and stops when its shut down

TeaLeaf · September 16, 2003, 08:45:36 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by sheepy@Sep 16 2003, 06:44 PM
what target line , do u meen a shortcut? i dont hvce a short cut, f@h starts as soon as computer boots and stops when its shut down

Go to your Startup folder.
You will find a F@H shortcut (which is *how* F@H starts every time you boot your machine)
Right click on the shortcut and select properties.
In the 'Target' line, add the flags as described and close the window.

Next time your F@H starts you will see a SSE comment in the logs as opposed to a 3DNOW comment.

TL.

sheepy · September 30, 2003, 11:09:40 AM

when i add the shortcut i get this message

the name 'c:\programfiles\folding@home\winFAH.exe -forceasm -advmethods ' specified in the target box is not vaild. make shure the path and file name are correct.

DogMeat · September 30, 2003, 12:33:49 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by sheepy@Sep 30 2003, 11:09 AM
when i add the shortcut i get this message

the name 'c:\programfiles\folding@home\winFAH.exe -forceasm -advmethods ' specified in the target box is not vaild. make shure the path and file name are correct.

Make sure the extra commands are outside the quotes in the properties box:

"c:\programfiles\folding@home\winFAH.exe" -forceasm -advmethods

DM

sheepy · September 30, 2003, 01:02:06 PM

thanx doggers

sheepy · September 30, 2003, 01:07:09 PM

for some reason i have and extra 3dnow boost not the other thing

[12:03:57] Assembly optimizations on if available.
[12:03:57] Entering M.D.
[12:06:41] (Starting from checkpoint)
[12:06:41] Protein: p572_L939_K12M
[12:06:41]
[12:06:41] Writing local files
[12:06:41] Completed 485000 out of 500000 steps (97)
[12:06:41] Extra 3DNow boost OK.

DuVeL · October 14, 2003, 10:19:13 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by TeaLeaf@Sep 15 2003, 07:34 AM
If you have an AMD processor installed and running the folding client then you'll want to be running SSE - as it folds about 30% faster than normal - and that means 30% more points! Gromacs cores allow SSE, Tinker cores do not.

Edit the target line of the F@H shortcut in the startup menu to add the following:

-forceasm -advmethods

There needs to be a space after the end quote in your shortcut and then add the text. This will force SSE and mean you fold faster for more points. Wuuuuu

Hope this helps.

TL.

Where can I edit the target line??? I'm a noob so plz help out in the good interest of the team.

TeaLeaf · October 15, 2003, 07:52:26 AM

This assumes you are running the console version. If you are running the graphical version then the client name is slightly different, but the principle remains the same.

Go to your C:\Documents and Settings\\Start Menu\Programs\Startup folder and right-click on the F@H shortcut that is there. Select Properties.
The target line on the Properties page will point to the F@H client. For example, in mine the path is: "C:\Program Files\Folding@Home\FAH3.25-Console-beta.exe"
The " marks in the above line are in the target line already.
At the end of the target line and immediately after the second " mark, type a single space and then add the following text
-local -advmethods -forceasm
The whole target line shoudl now look something like this:
"C:\Program Files\Folding@Home\FAH3.25-Console-beta.exe" -local -advmethods -forceasm
Now click Apply and finish the shortcut.
To check that this runs properly just go to your F@H console client and close the window (or pause folding first then quit of on the graphical client.
Now click on the shortcut you edited to F@H and the F@H client will load up. If you watch the logs as it benchmarks and starts folding again you will see the words 'SSE Boost' - this means you are now folding faster. If you see '3D Now' you have done something wrong!

Turning on the SSE capability of your CPU means that you fold about 30% faster than normal.

Hope this helps you!

TL.

DuVeL · October 15, 2003, 04:35:40 PM

Did exactly what you've said: "C:\Program Files\Folding@Home\winFAH.exe" -local -advmethods -forceasm

I checked twice after that and I have: Extra 3DNow boost OK.

TeaLeaf · October 15, 2003, 05:26:54 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by DuVeL@Oct 15 2003, 04:35 PM
Did exactly what you've said: "C:\Program Files\Folding@Home\winFAH.exe" -local -advmethods -forceasm

I checked twice after that and I have: Extra 3DNow boost OK.

OK, I assume you are folding on an Athlon? I think you said you had the 2600. If you are on a Penium then bad luck.

If you are on an Athlon then go and download the 3.25 beta console version.
Copy the console into the F@H folder.
Pause the F@H client. Then quit the client.
Change your shortcuts to point at the Beta client.
Restart folding.
It will pick up where the old client left off (you lose nothing) and you will now have SSE enabled.

TL.

DuVeL · October 15, 2003, 09:30:07 PM

QuoteOriginally posted by TeaLeaf+Oct 15 2003, 04:26 PM-->