How To: GPU folding on Nvidia 8xxx, 9xxx and 260/280 cards

synmnky · 19th June 2008, 1:50 PM

GPU folding on Nvidia GeForce 8xxx, 9xxx and 260/280 cards

Warnings:
This is a beta client so it could be broken or unstable. That said it works great for a lot of people and turns out some massive PPD on faster cards.
Multi GPU support is unofficial and is somewhat uncertain under the FAH EULA as it involves modifying FAH files.
Note that Vista might give unsigned driver warnings or UAC prompts during installation - just ignore/approve/let the installer do whatever it needs to do.

Download:
GPU Folding client:
http://folding.stanford.edu/English/DownloadWinOther
http://www.stanford.edu/group/pandeg...ystray-620.msi

Graphics Drivers:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda_get.html

Install drivers:
1. Run the driver installer

2. Reboot

3. Check the new driver version is installed (at least 177.35). Start -> Control Panel -> Nvidia Control Panel -> System Information -> ForceWare version.

Install Folding:
1. Run the Folding installer, go through the installer steps – just like installing any other program.

2. Run folding@home-gpu from the start menu

3. Enter your username and team number 24 in the Folding@Home Control Panel

Check:
1. Make sure the folding icon appears in the system tray

2. Wait a few minutes for a work unit to download and start running

3. Right click on folding icon in system tray -> status -> log file and scroll to the bottom. It should say something like “Completed 5%”. If it’s not working or you get something saying early unit end, post in the discussion thread for help.

Multi GPU Systems: (SLI or mixed cards)
See here: http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...d.php?t=692085

mitsimonsta · 19th June 2008, 1:51 PM

Brilliant. Sticky needed.

jardeath · 19th June 2008, 1:58 PM

Indeed, cheers. Sticky is important now due to so many people owning these cards. If I can work out the drivers for my 8600m gt I'll see what it is worth in points with this guide later on

jutty · 19th June 2008, 2:05 PM

Ultimate folding extras

If you are currenlty running a Q6600 with dual SMP clients and are adding a gpu here are some mods to really get the most.

Windows XP

Grab this http://www.beyondlogic.org/consultin...process203.zip
extract it to your c:\windows\system32
Create a cmd file called gpu.cmd and save it to your c:\windows\system32
The cmd file needs to have the following line
process -p fahcore_11.exe realtime
Now right click gpu.cmd and select create shortcut.
right click the shortcut and select properties. Change run to Minimised
So you now have a shortcut called "shortcut to gpu.cmd"
next run the following cmd to create a schedualed task
schtasks /create /sc minute /mo 1 /tn "GPU Priority" /tr "c:\windows\system32\shortcut to gpu.cmd.lnk"
This will create a task to run the gpu.cmd file minimised (so it dosen't piss you off) every minute. It will ask for a username and password you know what to do there.

Noe got your schedualed tasks and ensure there is now a task called GPU Priority if so run it and ensure that it runs.

Now you have the very best of both worlds. If you find that having the gpu set to realtime causes to many problems for browsing etc etc change the cmd line to say high instead of realtime.

Someone might want to clean this up/test I hate doing paperwork.

derb · 19th June 2008, 2:16 PM

how about a cleanup of the OCAU folding main page? there are so many links everywhere in a small font and the setup guides are for older versions. are there any vista setup guides? i think we should clean it all up, make sure everything is latest version and then we can direct people to one nice big easy to browse place instead of stickied threads or word of mouth.

nimbus6 · 19th June 2008, 2:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by synmnky

[
Modified .inf file (for new GeForce 260/280 driver to work on 8xxx cards)
http://rapidshare.com/files/123205859/nv_disp.inf.html

Vista 32-bit modified inf here: http://rapidshare.com/files/123093462/nv_disp.inf.html

mitsimonsta · 19th June 2008, 2:34 PM

Patience Derb...... patience!

derb · 19th June 2008, 2:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitsimonsta

Patience Derb...... patience!

i can help though. i did multimedia at TAFE......

OhFoRkMe · 19th June 2008, 3:31 PM

Do we know if this works on Win2k?

jebz · 19th June 2008, 3:40 PM

Unable to get Vista 177.35 drivers to work on this pc, the drivers do install it just EUE straight away after the reboot. Anyone else get the same?

Avariel · 19th June 2008, 3:45 PM

FYI also runs on ATI cards, have it running atm + 4 (normal) folding clients

Just need to update the gpu drivers and off you go

the juz · 19th June 2008, 3:47 PM

I've installed the 177.35 drives with the modified Inf File, but it doesnt seem to be using my GPU, my CPU is 100%, anyone know whats wrong here?

using XP, 8800GTX

Onthax · 19th June 2008, 4:20 PM

anyone have an alternate download source, cant seem to get it off rapidshare, all free downloads used or something?

synmnky · 19th June 2008, 4:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jebz

Unable to get Vista 177.35 drivers to work on this pc, the drivers do install it just EUE straight away after the reboot. Anyone else get the same?

Quote:

Originally Posted by the juz

I've installed the 177.35 drives with the modified Inf File, but it doesnt seem to be using my GPU, my CPU is 100%, anyone know whats wrong here?
using XP, 8800GTX

I'm not sure - I only have Vista 64 bit to test here.

Some people in the other thread are finding that they need to manually uninstall existing drivers (from Add/Remove Programs) before installing the new one (from Device Manager). http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...&postcount=360

If you get it working and something needs to be fixed in the OP so other people don't end up in the same situation as you, post it here or PM me and I'll change it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onthax

anyone have an alternate download source, cant seem to get it off rapidshare, all free downloads used or something?

I just tried all the rapidshare links, no problems for me.
You can also grab the file out of the previous version driver for your card (such as a 175.xx) if it won't download by itself.

wheatbix · 19th June 2008, 4:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jebz

Unable to get Vista 177.35 drivers to work on this pc, the drivers do install it just EUE straight away after the reboot. Anyone else get the same?

Yup, installed but just getting "unstable_machine" error messages and then it pauses for 24hrs.

Running a 8800 Ultra on Vista x64.

19th June 2008, 1:50 PM	#1
synmnky Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 336	How To: GPU folding on Nvidia 8xxx, 9xxx and 260/280 cards GPU folding on Nvidia GeForce 8xxx, 9xxx and 260/280 cards Warnings: This is a beta client so it could be broken or unstable. That said it works great for a lot of people and turns out some massive PPD on faster cards. Multi GPU support is unofficial and is somewhat uncertain under the FAH EULA as it involves modifying FAH files. Note that Vista might give unsigned driver warnings or UAC prompts during installation - just ignore/approve/let the installer do whatever it needs to do. Download: GPU Folding client: http://folding.stanford.edu/English/DownloadWinOther http://www.stanford.edu/group/pandeg...ystray-620.msi Graphics Drivers: http://www.nvidia.com/object/cuda_get.html Install drivers: 1. Run the driver installer 2. Reboot 3. Check the new driver version is installed (at least 177.35). Start -> Control Panel -> Nvidia Control Panel -> System Information -> ForceWare version. Install Folding: 1. Run the Folding installer, go through the installer steps – just like installing any other program. 2. Run folding@home-gpu from the start menu 3. Enter your username and team number 24 in the Folding@Home Control Panel Check: 1. Make sure the folding icon appears in the system tray 2. Wait a few minutes for a work unit to download and start running 3. Right click on folding icon in system tray -> status -> log file and scroll to the bottom. It should say something like “Completed 5%”. If it’s not working or you get something saying early unit end, post in the discussion thread for help. Multi GPU Systems: (SLI or mixed cards) See here: http://forums.overclockers.com.au/sh...d.php?t=692085 __________________ Core 2 Q9400 \| Asus P5Q Deluxe \| 8Gb Kingston DDR2-800 \| Asus GTX260 \| Zalman 9500 \| SB Audigy 4 \| WD 6400AAKS \| Antec P182 \| Corsair HX520 \| Dell 2408WFP Last edited by synmnky; 3rd August 2008 at 4:27 PM. Reason: updated driver and client download links

19th June 2008, 1:51 PM	#2
mitsimonsta Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Starfleet HQ, 2850 Posts: 7,175	Brilliant. Sticky needed. __________________ Fold harder! OCAU Folding Hall of Fame Inductee \| Addicted to Folding Club #111 \| OCAU's Number 1 Folding Producer - PROOF 13 Million F@H Points for OCAU \| 425K PPW Club \| Folding Stats \| 4Sale/Wanted/Trades List **Nothing in the above post is financial advice, please Do Your Own Research***

19th June 2008, 1:58 PM	#3
jardeath Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Canberra Posts: 345	Indeed, cheers. Sticky is important now due to so many people owning these cards. If I can work out the drivers for my 8600m gt I'll see what it is worth in points with this guide later on __________________ stats http://folding.extremeoverclocking.c...hp?s=&u=211829

19th June 2008, 2:05 PM	#4
jutty Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Perth Posts: 199	Ultimate folding extras If you are currenlty running a Q6600 with dual SMP clients and are adding a gpu here are some mods to really get the most. Windows XP Grab this http://www.beyondlogic.org/consultin...process203.zip extract it to your c:\windows\system32 Create a cmd file called gpu.cmd and save it to your c:\windows\system32 The cmd file needs to have the following line process -p fahcore_11.exe realtime Now right click gpu.cmd and select create shortcut. right click the shortcut and select properties. Change run to Minimised So you now have a shortcut called "shortcut to gpu.cmd" next run the following cmd to create a schedualed task schtasks /create /sc minute /mo 1 /tn "GPU Priority" /tr "c:\windows\system32\shortcut to gpu.cmd.lnk" This will create a task to run the gpu.cmd file minimised (so it dosen't piss you off) every minute. It will ask for a username and password you know what to do there. Noe got your schedualed tasks and ensure there is now a task called GPU Priority if so run it and ensure that it runs. Now you have the very best of both worlds. If you find that having the gpu set to realtime causes to many problems for browsing etc etc change the cmd line to say high instead of realtime. Someone might want to clean this up/test I hate doing paperwork. __________________ None Last edited by jutty; 19th June 2008 at 2:08 PM.

19th June 2008, 2:16 PM	#5
derb Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brisbane, 4006 Posts: 4,620	how about a cleanup of the OCAU folding main page? there are so many links everywhere in a small font and the setup guides are for older versions. are there any vista setup guides? i think we should clean it all up, make sure everything is latest version and then we can direct people to one nice big easy to browse place instead of stickied threads or word of mouth. __________________ TRADES LIST - Q6600@3.3GHz::GA-X48-DS4::4GB-OCZ-RPR-PC6400::2xGigaByte-HD4850 ------ Fold For A Cure - Donate Your Spare CPU Cycles To OCAU! - STANFORD STATS - EOC STATS

19th June 2008, 2:34 PM	#7
mitsimonsta Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Starfleet HQ, 2850 Posts: 7,175	Patience Derb...... patience! __________________ Fold harder! OCAU Folding Hall of Fame Inductee \| Addicted to Folding Club #111 \| OCAU's Number 1 Folding Producer - PROOF 13 Million F@H Points for OCAU \| 425K PPW Club \| Folding Stats \| 4Sale/Wanted/Trades List **Nothing in the above post is financial advice, please Do Your Own Research***

19th June 2008, 3:31 PM	#9
OhFoRkMe Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Taringa QLD Posts: 2,339	Do we know if this works on Win2k? __________________ Main PC / Gaming PC The Reason Agg Wears a Kilt.. 25+ Trades Buying and Selling F@H Stats

19th June 2008, 3:40 PM	#10
jebz Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: brisbane Posts: 756	Unable to get Vista 177.35 drivers to work on this pc, the drivers do install it just EUE straight away after the reboot. Anyone else get the same? __________________ AKA step The_Brotherhood looking for more folding Brisbanites!

19th June 2008, 3:45 PM	#11
Avariel Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Brisbane Posts: 539	FYI also runs on ATI cards, have it running atm + 4 (normal) folding clients Just need to update the gpu drivers and off you go __________________ Intel C2Q Q6600 @ 3.2Ghz \| ASUS P5W DH Deluxe \| 2 x 2048 DDRII OCZ Platinum Ram \|ICEQ 3870 \| 1 x 200 Gig HDD \| Antec Nine Hundred (with lots of bling bling) Folding for The_Brotherhood "Addicted to folding club member #82"

19th June 2008, 3:47 PM	#12
the juz Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Australia, vic , Bendigo Posts: 132	I've installed the 177.35 drives with the modified Inf File, but it doesnt seem to be using my GPU, my CPU is 100%, anyone know whats wrong here? using XP, 8800GTX __________________ X2 4800+ 939 * Abit Fatal1ty AN8 Mobo * Corsair 2GB Ram * MSI NX8800GTX OC * 1.2TB HD * Toughpower 750watt * BenQ E2200HD 22" 1920x1080 Loves his GF Bianca, more then anything!

19th June 2008, 4:20 PM	#13
Onthax Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 92	anyone have an alternate download source, cant seem to get it off rapidshare, all free downloads used or something?