It will depend on how much cpu overhead is needed to feed the GPU.
It could be that the cpu overhead would take to many cpu cycles
from Boinc. On the other hand it could breathe new life into an older
computer. Let the GPU handle the heavy lifting and the older, slower
cpu do support work.
Jim,
I don't think there are any older, slower boxes featuring PCI-Express, and it's liable to be next summer before ATI releases the Radeon 1300 series in an AGP config.
Michael
I didn't realise that PCI-Express was needed. Using the vid card to crunch has been around for so long that I hadn't really been following it too close any more. I'll wait until it actually happens, and it looks like it really might this time, before I get to excited.
Another new (today) article from Extremetech about General Purpose computing using ATI's new 1x00-series vidcards, ATI Delivers GPU-Accelerated Video Transcoding. Apparently it was a gross understatement when I called these cards crunch-friendly a few posts ago. ATI has an app in beta that uses the new cards to convert video files between different formats, and this early test shows an amazing 5x improvement over an Athlon 64 X2 4800! Keep in mind that this is crunching data, not simply processing pixels, and heavyweight work on any computer.
Michael
Paul,
If Einstein (and other project) devs are not knocking at ATI's door to get in line for the specs and abstraction layer to start writing code to take advantage of this, we're missing one helluva bet - this is right up our alley, and by design! Imagine 1 or 2-hour WUs, not likely to happen for several years with current CPU scaling, a quantum jump.
If implementation becomes imminent, it would sure give you a fresh load of ammo in your push to get Boinc to use "real-world, real data" for benchmarking, because I can see no other way they could possibly benchmark and credit GPU work. :-)
This stuff isn't some dream off on some Fantasy Island any more, it's right around the corner, and ready to come down our block.
microcraft
"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice" - MLK
When do we start complaining that even Duron's are too expensive for the public?
lol
Meckano,
Hehehe ... I haven't felt the need to upgrade to a PCI-E mobo, or anticipated it for at least another year, since UT 2004 is about as strenuous a game as I run (no Halo 2, FarCry, etc)and my 9600Pro vidcard is up to that level of challenge. I'll be doggoned if I'm not starting to feel a hint of an itch now.
Michael
microcraft
"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice" - MLK
I know what you mean. :(
every time i get an extra buck in my pocket, I have to recheck the specs of each computer component before I can decide against buying/upgrading.
lmao
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I know what you mean. :(
every time i get an extra buck in my pocket, I have to recheck the specs of each computer component before I can decide against buying/upgrading.
lmao
Yep, my pocket is close at hand though, so reality quickly sets in. I did, however, just pick up another ASUS A7N8X deluxe mobo on eBay for USD45, to get my "ugly" box back online - Winter's coming and I could use another spaceheater.
microcraft
"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice" - MLK
Will there need to be a change to anti-virus scripts? how and what it looks at?
Meckano,
Sorry, but I haven't a clue. All I've read are the 2 articles and the gpgpu site I noted in this thread on Oct 8.
Michael
(edit) sorry 'bout that, typing in the dark. :(
I don't think that virii will be an issue, at least for quite some time. Firstly, they'd have to find where the vidcard GPU is. Secondly, most virii now are written not as a lark, but with predatory intent, to access some info that someone could cash in on. Thirdly, it's kinda like the Apple/Linux syndrome - it's been proven that virii can be written for those machines, but nobody does, because they want the impact of attacking Windows, the 90% market, not the fringe. And last but not least, the vidcard won't be accessing any sensitive (read $$ or personal) info, so what's there to gain?
microcraft
"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice" - MLK
RE: RE: It will depend on
)
I didn't realise that PCI-Express was needed. Using the vid card to crunch has been around for so long that I hadn't really been following it too close any more. I'll wait until it actually happens, and it looks like it really might this time, before I get to excited.
read the faq at
)
read the faq at bionicfx.com
I think they are the originators of it all, but may just be of the latest 'fad'.
but they sound like it is going to happen.
-----------------------
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Hi, folks Another new
)
Hi, folks
Another new (today) article from Extremetech about General Purpose computing using ATI's new 1x00-series vidcards, ATI Delivers GPU-Accelerated Video Transcoding. Apparently it was a gross understatement when I called these cards crunch-friendly a few posts ago. ATI has an app in beta that uses the new cards to convert video files between different formats, and this early test shows an amazing 5x improvement over an Athlon 64 X2 4800! Keep in mind that this is crunching data, not simply processing pixels, and heavyweight work on any computer.
Michael
Paul,
If Einstein (and other project) devs are not knocking at ATI's door to get in line for the specs and abstraction layer to start writing code to take advantage of this, we're missing one helluva bet - this is right up our alley, and by design! Imagine 1 or 2-hour WUs, not likely to happen for several years with current CPU scaling, a quantum jump.
If implementation becomes imminent, it would sure give you a fresh load of ammo in your push to get Boinc to use "real-world, real data" for benchmarking, because I can see no other way they could possibly benchmark and credit GPU work. :-)
This stuff isn't some dream off on some Fantasy Island any more, it's right around the corner, and ready to come down our block.
microcraft
"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice" - MLK
When do we start complaining
)
When do we start complaining that even Duron's are too expensive for the public?
lol
-----------------------
Click to see my tag
My tag
SNAFU'ed? Turn the Page! :D
RE: When do we start
)
Meckano,
Hehehe ... I haven't felt the need to upgrade to a PCI-E mobo, or anticipated it for at least another year, since UT 2004 is about as strenuous a game as I run (no Halo 2, FarCry, etc)and my 9600Pro vidcard is up to that level of challenge. I'll be doggoned if I'm not starting to feel a hint of an itch now.
Michael
microcraft
"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice" - MLK
I know what you mean.
)
I know what you mean. :(
every time i get an extra buck in my pocket, I have to recheck the specs of each computer component before I can decide against buying/upgrading.
lmao
-----------------------
Click to see my tag
My tag
SNAFU'ed? Turn the Page! :D
RE: I know what you mean.
)
Yep, my pocket is close at hand though, so reality quickly sets in. I did, however, just pick up another ASUS A7N8X deluxe mobo on eBay for USD45, to get my "ugly" box back online - Winter's coming and I could use another spaceheater.
microcraft
"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice" - MLK
You win the cruncher's
)
You win the cruncher's Promoting award!
I was putting off redoing my network to the 2400, but if you're going to bring in the heating aspect... well I give! By monday I would assume.
LOL
-----------------------
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And will there be anti-virus
)
And will there be anti-virus concerns?
Will there need to be a change to anti-virus scripts? how and what it looks at?
-----------------------
Click to see my tag
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SNAFU'ed? Turn the Page! :D
RE: And will there be
)
Meckano,
Sorry, but I haven't a clue. All I've read are the 2 articles and the gpgpu site I noted in this thread on Oct 8.
Michael
(edit) sorry 'bout that, typing in the dark. :(
I don't think that virii will be an issue, at least for quite some time. Firstly, they'd have to find where the vidcard GPU is. Secondly, most virii now are written not as a lark, but with predatory intent, to access some info that someone could cash in on. Thirdly, it's kinda like the Apple/Linux syndrome - it's been proven that virii can be written for those machines, but nobody does, because they want the impact of attacking Windows, the 90% market, not the fringe. And last but not least, the vidcard won't be accessing any sensitive (read $$ or personal) info, so what's there to gain?
microcraft
"The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice" - MLK