Is my notebook worth anything for this project?

alintope
alintope
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Topic 198696

My notebook has an AMD graphics chip R5 M430 and a CPU Intel core i5 6200U built in. Is it suitable for E@H work?

Heinrich

Holmis
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Is my notebook worth anything for this project?

It won't be the fastest machine around here but it should do fine.

As it's a notebook I would keep an eye on the temps and once in a while shut it off and clean the cooling system by blowing air backwards into what is normally the hot air exhaust, don't blow to hard as that may damage the fan.

alintope
alintope
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So I gave Einstein@home a try

So I gave Einstein@home a try on this machine. You are right, high temperatures are obviously a problem. These figures are supposed to be insane for the chips inside: 68°C = 140°F CPU and 79°C = 160°F GPU.

Does BOINC provide means to reduce the computing power of the GPU, maybe by reducing the clock frequency or setting the GPU on kind of a duty cycle (e.g.75%), which in turn reduces also the output of heat?

Heinrich

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Sadly not, but you can

Sadly not, but you can instruct Boinc to run fewer CPU tasks, as to cooling system in most laptops is combined for both the CPU and the GPU that should reduce the heat for both components.

Richie
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I'm not sure if this program

I'm not sure if this program runs on Windows 10, but you could try TThrottle: http://efmer.com/b/?q=tthrottle

Max temp limits for CPU and GPU could be set separately.

Best to run the installer file as administrator and maybe first also set it to run in compatibility mode for Windows 7 (option found in file properties...).

noderaser
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RE: These figures are

Quote:
These figures are supposed to be insane for the chips inside: 68°C = 140°F CPU and 79°C = 160°F GPU.

Did you check the maximum temperatures allowable for your chips? Notebook chips are often designed to run hotter than their desktop counterparts; for example, the i7 in my laptop has a maximum allowable temperature of 105 C. Of course, running near the max for long periods of time isn't good for the stability of your system as there are many other minor components that can't handle the heat. I will second the recommendation for Tthrottle, it will scale BOINC on the fly to maintain a set CPU and GPU temperature. I have mine set to 85 C CPU and 70 C GPU. Although my system could probably handle higher, I keep it lower to avoid problems, reduce fan noise, and keep from burning myself.

As far as whether your notebook is "worth anything", any new resources are good for the project. Contribute as you see fit.

alintope
alintope
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Concerning heat management my

Concerning heat management my notebook is badly contructed. There are only some small holes on the side for the exhaust air stream, but not a single hole on the whole bottom plate where the fan could get cool fresh air from. Just to compare temperatures I unscrewed the bottom plate: temperatures dropped 16°C = 20°F! So the very next thing I will do is drilling a few holes into the bottom plate located just below the fan. I hope this will fix the problem or at least the greater part of it.

TThrottle will be of additional help.

Heinrich

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