Update on new GPU core
Several people have been curious about any news regarding a new GPU client/core. We hit a few snags and then hit the holiday break, but the team is back now. We have the new client running in our lab and we're doing some final Q&A on it. The new code is running on the latest ATI cards (2xxx and 3xxx) and getting pretty good performance so far. The performance is pretty good now (after some optimizations from Mark and Mike H.), so I'm optimistic. This does not look like a 6-month delay, more like a few week delay, but it's hard to tell -- you can't predict the unpredictable things which can come up.
hm, having read the name of the topic, I thought you got fahcore update out :)
anyway, good to hear about thing which move forward towards us. :)
Posted by: muziqaz | January 03, 2008 at 03:03 PM
oh by the way, that code in your labs, is it for 38xx series cards? :)
Posted by: muziqaz | January 03, 2008 at 03:09 PM
I think when Vijay mentioned both 2xxx and 3xxx cards, that includes 38xx cards.
Posted by: 7im | January 03, 2008 at 09:24 PM
As far as I know, there are no (much) architectural differences between 2XXX and 3XXX series GPUs (regarding to fah core), so I think there will be only one new FahCore released. To tell the truth, I'd better wait for a newer FahCore than a newer client.
Posted by: Galahad | January 04, 2008 at 03:00 AM
That's fantastic service, thanks as i am one of those people. So, is there any FAH-GPU core for Nvidia?
Also, can this new GPU core run on Linux? I am building a server with a C2Q and X38, so, i could do Crossfire 3800hd's. Mom's a Vienam Vet with Parkinsons and we already try to run a couple of work units a day on the PS3 and when I told her about the new server i was building, she said max it to run your programs. I don't intend to run a 32bit enviroment because i need 8gigs of ram. Let me know, maybe i'll swap my card and put the 3800 in the windows box, but it's an SLI and i can't run 2 ATi cards on that one.
Posted by: J Willaford | January 04, 2008 at 01:22 PM
It is safe to say that the GPU client is Windows only and very likely will remain so.
Posted by: Ivoshiee | January 04, 2008 at 01:39 PM
I will maybe then run the PS3 and my server and leave video alone. Need to check the wattage and see what cost of running all 3 will be. Hopefully, a GPU Linux client will come about since ATi is open sourcing their architecture. I just don't want to use Vista 64bit Ultimate to run my servers.
Posted by: J Willaford | January 04, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Wow! I feel really uneducated when reading the comments. Im just running off my ps3. Take care everyone!
Posted by: oracle | January 08, 2008 at 05:36 PM
I just received my HD-3870 and am ready to go
Posted by: Neil Rieck | January 08, 2008 at 07:43 PM
Looking forward to the new GPU support!
Posted by: louis | January 09, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Hey, will the new HD 3870 x2 be supported transparently?
Also, is there any big difference between the 3870 and 3850 in your current builds? For Oracle, thanks for the PS3 support, and don't worry about us geeks who are visiting the forum, its the hundreds of thousands of PS3 people who are most needed and are responsible for most of the payload processing.
Posted by: J Willaford | January 09, 2008 at 01:47 PM
please explain to me what folding at home is all about?
Posted by: josueumanzor | January 09, 2008 at 10:26 PM
@ josueumanzor - A blog comment is not sufficient to fully explain F@H. Please visit the project home page to read more about it. The FAQs are good as well. http://folding.stanford.edu/
Posted by: 7im | January 10, 2008 at 11:12 AM
The new client can't come soon enough! Thanks for the updates.
Posted by: Caveman-Jim | January 11, 2008 at 01:18 PM
Let's hope NVIDIA G80 series of cards are also supported.
(the 8800 series)
Posted by: Peter | January 11, 2008 at 04:48 PM
I am so dumbfounded by the lack of a Nvidia client. I am of course very grateful for the ATI client because I know what it takes to code for these things. But as of late performance/watt, heck just performance in general Nvidia is dominating ATI. I pains me to know that if I want very high performance in the GPU section I will have to purchase a power hungry, under performing 38XX series instead of a 8800GTX.
Posted by: Eric | January 20, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Peter: The 2900 series was/is power hungry. However the 3870 idles at 30 watt and only uses 100 watt at 100%. While the new 8800 GT performs great also, the 8800GTX is no power saver. Everyone is entitled to their preference, but the 3870 is not "power hungry, under performing" PS...
the 3870 X2 should come out on 1/23/08 for twice the performance on a single card.
Posted by: mark | January 20, 2008 at 12:38 PM
oh, i was wondering about that
Posted by: edwardo | January 20, 2008 at 02:01 PM