HOWTO: Change to an Optimised project application (Windows)
Posted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 5:19 pm
Hi all,
Here's a run through for Windows:
So far only SETI and Einstein have third-party developed optimised application programs for their specific projects.
There are a couple available - for more info see our Team website here:
http://www.ukboincteam.org.uk/ubt-optimised.html
Admin note: The above page hasn't been updated for a long time and so it may be out of date by now (April 2014)
Step One:
Identify the CPU inside your computer. This is IMPORTANT, as in most cases, you will need a specific opti-program that matches the hardware you are using as some opti programs have been developed to take advantage of specific hardware parts of your CPU - hence you need the right opti-program for your specific type (or "family") of CPU.
A good program to use is CPU-Z - download (free) from here:
http://www.cpuid.com
Once you know what's inside your computer case and which "hardware functions" are built in, then you can move onto Step Two.
Step Two:
As mentioned, some programmers have built specific code into their opti-program to take advantage of CPU functions.
So, you need to look out for specific functions such as "SSE", "SSE2" and even "SSE3" within the "display" of the CPU-Z program and then download the specific opti-application which matches the hardware you have.
Download this file (usually it's a "ZIP" file) into a temporary folder on your PC.
Once downloaded, unZIP it and then read any readme notes that you may find.
Step Three:
STOP BOINC. Use the "File > Exit" command and close it.
Under most circumstances, it's wise before you install the new program to make a back-up of either your entire PC, or at the minimum, do a back-up of your BOINC directory.
If anything goes wrong (unlikely, but there is a small chance), then you can at least get it working again.
Step Four:
The next thing to do is to open Windows Explorer and copy the application files you've just un ZIPPED, from the temporary directory, into the respective "project" folder.
- If you downloaded a SETI opti-program, copy it to the "Program Files\Boinc\projects\setiathome.berekley.edu" folder.
Step Five:
Re-start BOINC.
Your already downloaded WU's shouldn't be affected by any of the above, and you should now find that you return WU's more quickly.
In some cases, the opti-program disables the "Show Graphics" function on the "Work" tab. This is normal, as in most most cases, the graphics just use up "crunching power" which can be utilised better if directed to just the crunching part of the program.
regards
Tim
PS This is a "work in progress" any comments, please PM them to me.
Here's a run through for Windows:
So far only SETI and Einstein have third-party developed optimised application programs for their specific projects.
There are a couple available - for more info see our Team website here:
http://www.ukboincteam.org.uk/ubt-optimised.html
Admin note: The above page hasn't been updated for a long time and so it may be out of date by now (April 2014)
Step One:
Identify the CPU inside your computer. This is IMPORTANT, as in most cases, you will need a specific opti-program that matches the hardware you are using as some opti programs have been developed to take advantage of specific hardware parts of your CPU - hence you need the right opti-program for your specific type (or "family") of CPU.
A good program to use is CPU-Z - download (free) from here:
http://www.cpuid.com
Once you know what's inside your computer case and which "hardware functions" are built in, then you can move onto Step Two.
Step Two:
As mentioned, some programmers have built specific code into their opti-program to take advantage of CPU functions.
So, you need to look out for specific functions such as "SSE", "SSE2" and even "SSE3" within the "display" of the CPU-Z program and then download the specific opti-application which matches the hardware you have.
Download this file (usually it's a "ZIP" file) into a temporary folder on your PC.
Once downloaded, unZIP it and then read any readme notes that you may find.
Step Three:
STOP BOINC. Use the "File > Exit" command and close it.
Under most circumstances, it's wise before you install the new program to make a back-up of either your entire PC, or at the minimum, do a back-up of your BOINC directory.
If anything goes wrong (unlikely, but there is a small chance), then you can at least get it working again.
Step Four:
The next thing to do is to open Windows Explorer and copy the application files you've just un ZIPPED, from the temporary directory, into the respective "project" folder.
- If you downloaded a SETI opti-program, copy it to the "Program Files\Boinc\projects\setiathome.berekley.edu" folder.
Step Five:
Re-start BOINC.
Your already downloaded WU's shouldn't be affected by any of the above, and you should now find that you return WU's more quickly.
In some cases, the opti-program disables the "Show Graphics" function on the "Work" tab. This is normal, as in most most cases, the graphics just use up "crunching power" which can be utilised better if directed to just the crunching part of the program.
regards
Tim
PS This is a "work in progress" any comments, please PM them to me.