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Message boards :
Proth Prime Search :
Linux v Windows
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Is there an advantage in running Proth searches under Linux rather than Window$?
I ask because I have two identical Gateway laptops (well not exactly a shift key fell off one of them) one runs 64 bit Ubuntu 9.04 (beta) and the other some species of 32 bit Vista. Both usually run Proth searches all day every day. If the Linux machine drops its wireless connection it needs a manual reconnection but on the other hand on account of the extra shift key I tend to use the Windoze one more for surfing the web when I am at home and not being savaged by noisome rats.
I have an RAC of 588 plus some carryover from when it was running Micro$haft OS from the Linux machine and 532 from the Bill Gates Superspeeder. I might say that the Linux machine is not running Wubuntu but proper native Linux.
Probably you can find out all you need about my computers from my profile but any probs just shout.
Cheers!
T
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Scott Brown Volunteer moderator
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Joined: 17 Oct 05
Posts: 1961
ID: 1178
Credit: 6,810,774,834
RAC: 5,266,435
                                  
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...on the other hand on account of the extra shift key I tend to use the Windoze one more for surfing the web ...
The extra usage of the windows machine almost certainly accounts for what is an essentially very small difference of about 50 credits per day. If you want to exploit a real difference, then you should sieve with the 64-bit OS...such tasks return at about 1.7x credit rate over 32-bit sieving.
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141941*2^4299438-1 is prime!
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Thanks Scott
50 credits a day difference implies both processors working fully on other matters an extra 2 hours a day on the Windows machine. I doubt I use it 2 hours a day and when I do it is for light surfing rather than game playing.
According to the stats page the Windows computer 92923 runs 98.48% of the time and while running BOINC takes 99.98% of the computing . I think therefore 98.46% of its cycles are running BOINC and until I whop John M’s ass (again) for him in the next challenge 98.46% of its time is doing Proth work.
The linux computer 102897 on the other hand runs 98.62% of the time and when it does it runs BOINC for 99.95% of the time and until I whop John M’s ass (again) for him in the next challenge 98.62% of its time is doing Proth work which is to say 98.62% of its cycles are running BOINC.
I would therefore expected the linux machine to have scored about 98.62/98.46 times more credit than the Windows machine which is much less than observed.
I don’t have a point merely an observation.
As for BOINC credit I agree that I could get more either here or elsewhere but I am not motivated by BOINC credit. I have no problem with people who legitimately crunch for credit and wish them much good fortune and happiness but for me the driving force is something else.
Again many thanks for the insight.
Cheers!
T
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Scott BrownVolunteer moderator
Project administrator
Volunteer tester
Project scientist
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Joined: 17 Oct 05
Posts: 1961
ID: 1178
Credit: 6,810,774,834
RAC: 5,266,435
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50 credits a day difference implies both processors working fully on other matters an extra 2 hours a day on the Windows machine. I doubt I use it 2 hours a day and when I do it is for light surfing rather than game playing.
If you are using IE, then light surfing might actually cause a real drag. BOINC tasks will still be running full tilt, but the percent of a core that a particular task gets will be less than full. For example, I have noticed that IE grabs 2% to 10% of a core every few seconds simply by being open (in use it gets much higher)--which is one of many reasons why I use Mozilla. If it zaps, on average, about 8% of a core, then there is your 2 hours per day (assuming a 24/7 cruncher). Also, since the crunching task remains active (just at a lower percentage), the overall % run time reported by BOINC won't be affected much.
If you aren't using IE, you might look for other windows tasks/services that are on and pulling small percentages regularly (windows apps are very bad at this compared to Linux).
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141941*2^4299438-1 is prime!
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... but for me the driving force is something else.
It's rats digging their sharp teeth into their owners toes when he doesn't provide fresh new primes to feed on. Strange, but a rather powerful means of motivation.
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There are only 10 kinds of people - those who understand binary and those who don't
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Scott
Many thanks for this. I am sorry not to have replied sooner but life has been strange just now.
I rather think that you are right when you say that Windows is off with the fairies doing other things. I'm now running the Windows laptop using ubuntu from a partition (excuse me if I get the terms wrong) and it will be interesting to see how it compares with the alternative computer with only linux. Then I'm going to try the version of linux you can run from a memory stick.
Puzzle-Peter
Usually it is accidental claws rather than deliberate teeth that are the problem but I've just had a rat sitting on my head which is off putting enough bearing in mind the usual bladder control (or lack thereof of a rat) but on purpose she is pulling the hairs out. When you get to my age every one is precious. | |
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When you get to my age every one is precious.
Well, my hairline started to recede at age 25, so you don't have to be very old. Anyway, you're as old as you feel and I'm sure running after the rats is keeping you young.
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There are only 10 kinds of people - those who understand binary and those who don't
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Message boards :
Proth Prime Search :
Linux v Windows |
