Collatz: Phasing out Multi-Size

[RSS]

Due to a variety of server scheduling problems that have not been able to be resolved, Collatz will be phasing out the multi-size workunits over the next week or two and going back to using multiple applications. You will once again control your own destiny and be able to choose the size WUs by the application chosen (micro, mini, standard, and large). The big addition (pun intended) that will be the first to be deployed is the large_collatz application which will be 32 times the size of the largest multi-size workunit. It is aimed at the fastest GPUs to reduce the upload/download and workunit startup overhead of running smaller workunits. That should result in a higher RAC as well as a reduced load on the Collatz server.

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[finalfugue]

The big addition (pun intended) that will be the first to be deployed is the large_collatz application which will be 32 times the size of the largest multi-size workunit. It is aimed at the fastest GPUs to reduce the upload/download and workunit startup overhead of running smaller workunits. That should result in a higher RAC as well as a reduced load on the Collatz server.

Sweeeeeeeet. What was EmSti saying about 295Xs now being in stock?

[FourOh]

The project is transitioning now... one of my machines detached itself from the project, another is still crunching Solo but not getting any new work. Need to check Collatz account settings and keep an eye on these rigs to make sure they don't dry up.

In order to receive a Large unit, select "Test Applications" in account settings. I just got one for my 7790... we shall see how it goes!

[finalfugue]

Thanks for the heads up. Things are a little too hectic at work today to ensure a smooth changeover, but I just looked and under Collatz preferences you now have the option to select which application(s) you want to run. I have anything ATI Pitcairn and better set to solo and large, and lesser stuff on mini, micro, and solo. Just trying to keep it chugging. I'll check later to see how the numbers are shaping up.

[EmSti]

The project is transitioning now... one of my machines detached itself from the project, another is still crunching Solo but not getting any new work. Need to check Collatz account settings and keep an eye on these rigs to make sure they don't dry up.

In order to receive a Large unit, select "Test Applications" in account settings. I just got one for my 7790... we shall see how it goes!

Test applications is not needed. I change my to solo and large only for the gpu and solo only for cpu. I started getting large on cuda and amd a short while later. Remember to edit the new config file that gets downloaded to match what you had in the solo config file.

Anyone know if a wingman will be needed on any of them?

[Shandia]

I went ahead and re-check the large option due to me missing changing the app_config file. I knew something was up when I checked my card usage. Just in case, how should the app_config file look now? Not sure if the placement of <name>large_collatz</name> is right along with the <name>solo_collatz</name> and other info. My usage was at 74% on the video card and is showing 0.904 cpu usage.

After a few more changes, it is showing to be running at the sweet spot.Unfortunately, my gpu usage has now dropped to 25%. Somethings not right here. I think I broke it!

Maybe it broke itself?? It just errored out and loaded up a ton of solo tasks. The gpu is back to showing 99%. I guess things do work out on their own after all.

[Shandia]

OMG! I just got the first GPU task of the new tasks. Since I'm currently only running GPU tasks for Collatz, I have no idea what the cpu tasks look like. According to Boinc, this one ATI GPU task is going to take me 32 hours to do. YIKES!!! I hope the credits will reflect the long time needed to crunch this. I'm hoping the estimate is a mistake. If it is even remotely close, I can tell Collatz will be put totally away until I can get around to crunching it again with my cpu's. It's just too scarey for us little crunchers now. I'll probably move back to seti@home until I find another good gpu project to crunch on.

[zombie67]

I hope the credits will reflect the long time needed to crunch this.

Never fear. Slicter always makes sure we get paid. Remember that april fools news post from collatz?

Edit: Slicker. Stupid autocorrect.

[Shandia]

Never fear. Slicter always makes sure we get paid. Remember that april fools news post from collatz?

Oh, I remember! And every time it popped up after April 1st, I was reminded. On April 1st I wasn't signed up for the project yet. After that scenario, I had to wonder if the message about phasing out multi-size tasks was a joke or not. Until I saw my first large task, I didn't know if it was for real.

[Slicker]

OMG! I just got the first GPU task of the new tasks. Since I'm currently only running GPU tasks for Collatz, I have no idea what the cpu tasks look like. According to Boinc, this one ATI GPU task is going to take me 32 hours to do. YIKES!!! I hope the credits will reflect the long time needed to crunch this. I'm hoping the estimate is a mistake. If it is even remotely close, I can tell Collatz will be put totally away until I can get around to crunching it again with my cpu's. It's just too scarey for us little crunchers now. I'll probably move back to seti@home until I find another good gpu project to crunch on.

Unfortunately, Dr. Anderson has ignore all requests to improve the estimated time remaining logic and as such, they SUCK!!!!!! Finish several WUs and it will start working better.