Einstein@home is using only 2 of my cores
29 Dec 2018 1:22:25 UTC
Topic 217731
(moderation:
When I returned home from Christmas and fired up my computer, I found that Einstein@home is using only 2 of my 8 cores. That is, only 2 tasks are running. I support 2 projects, this one (20%) and Rosetta (80%), which has not been providing ample tasks in the last couple of weeks. However, before Christmas, even when there were no Rosetta tasks, Einstein was running 8 tasks. I can't find a setting to correct this. Anyone?
You have two separate 8
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You have two separate 8 thread hosts listed, one of which appears to be a laptop. Which one are you talking about or do both only have two concurrent tasks running?
If both are affected, chances are you have set your preferences (account -> preferences -> computing -> advanced settings -> use at most xx% of the processors to something like 25% (2 out of 8 allowed) perhaps?
I don't think it would be wise to allow all 8 threads on a laptop to crunch the full load. Perhaps you set a reduced setting to protect the laptop? If you put the two machines in different 'locations' (aka venues) you could control them individually with different settings.
If the settings allow all cores to be used, you should be able to have 8 concurrent tasks to be running. Unless you have implemented a <max_concurrent> option in an app_config.xml file, I can't immediately think of any other reason why you would be restricted to just two tasks.
Cheers,
Gary.
googloo wrote:That is, only 2
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Are the total number of tasks running on the system only 2? Including tasks from all projects. Or are there 2 Einstein and 6 Rosetta tasks running?
If it's the former then I'd say there's a problem with a setting somewhere, see Gary's post.
If it's the latter then it's because of debt built up to Rosetta as a result of the resource share setting and Rosetta not being able to provide ample work for a while.
Thank you for responding. I
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Thank you for responding. I didn't think I had an app_config file, but thanks to your response I searched for one and I found that it indeed had a <max_concurrent> option. Problem fixed. Thanks again.
BTW, that was my desktop (the laptop was happily running 8 tasks). Why shouldn't I run tasks on all 8 cores on my laptop? I've been doing it for more than 2 years.
googloo wrote:... it indeed
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You're most welcome! I'm glad you got that sorted.
Unless your laptop has an extraordinarily good cooling system, you do run a risk of shortening its life by using such a continuous high load. Also, you probably have a lot of extra fan noise and the extra airflow tends to allow a faster blocking of heat sink passageways from airborne dust and fluff particles. In other words, fans deteriorate faster and you need to perform more regular maintenance to keep things cool. If you're on top of all those things, then fine :-).
Cheers,
Gary.