GIMPS on PS3

[flouran]

In regards to running either MPrime or Prime95 on a PS3:
You can choose the "Install Other OS" option and install YellowDog Linux on the PS3. Then, you can install MPrime. And it should work. I will try it this weekend (or the next) and will let you guys know if it will work. The purpose of this thread is so that I and others can post their results on here to confirm what is the best way to do this on a PS3. It will be great if we can make it work since the Cell processor is extremely fast!

[Mini-Geek]

http://www.mersenneforum.org/showthread.php?t=10275

[flouran]

Originally Posted by Mini-Geek

http://www.mersenneforum.org/showthread.php?t=10275

I am aware of the existence of this thread; however, in that thread, they are trying to NATIVELY run GIMPS on a PS3. I am not trying to do that. I am running Linux on a PS3 then running Mprime (thus, I can hopefully use the most of my CPU power).

[sdbardwick]

Mprime is x86 specific. Success with Mlucas or Glucas is more likely, but not guaranteed.

[flouran]

Originally Posted by sdbardwick

Mprime is x86 specific. Success with Mlucas or Glucas is more likely, but not guaranteed.

I realize that but I'll try just to see what happens... Are Mlucas or Glucas supported by the GIMPS project (I hear they run only for SPARC processors).

[Uncwilly]

Originally Posted by flouran

NATIVELY run GIMPS on a PS3.

GIMPS is a project, mprime is a program, as are M/Glucas. If you are hosting the server, you might be running GIMPS on a PS3. If you are using the PS3 to run one of the above programs, your aren't.

Are Mlucas or Glucas supported by the GIMPS project (I hear they run only for SPARC processors).

They will run on what ever they are compiled for. You could run them on a PC or Alpha or something else.

[flouran]

Originally Posted by Uncwilly

GIMPS is a project, mprime is a program, as are M/Glucas. If you are hosting the server, you might be running GIMPS on a PS3. If you are using the PS3 to run one of the above programs, your aren't.

I KNOW THAT GIMPS IS A PROJECT, MPRIME IS A PROGRAM, AS ARE M/GLUCAS. I am fully aware of the high failure rate of my endeavor, but nonetheless, I will try it out. Also, there is an option for merging CPUs, what are the possible risks and/or advantages associated with enabling this option?

[CRGreathouse]

I think this is a great idea. All the experts here think it will do poorly, but people keep bringing the idea up -- this should finally get some hard numbers. The PS3 Cell is (I believe) a nominal 3.2 GHz @ 8 cores; I expect it to perform on par with a Pentium IV @ 2 GHz. Anyone else want to hazard a nonscientific guess?


Regardless, what is your compilation strategy?

[flouran]

Originally Posted by CRGreathouse

I think this is a great idea. All the experts here think it will do poorly, but people keep bringing the idea up -- this should finally get some hard numbers. The PS3 Cell is (I believe) a nominal 3.2 GHz @ 8 cores; I expect it to perform on par with a Pentium IV @ 2 GHz. Anyone else want to hazard a nonscientific guess?


Regardless, what is your compilation strategy?

After installing YellowDog Linux on my PS3 (as it is one of the few Linux distros that has been enhanced for use on a PS3; although, I heard you can install Ubuntu as well but it is currently buggy when using the Cell kernel patch) using the "Install other OS" option, I will install MPrime like I normally would under my Linux box (I assume by "compilation strategy" you mean how I will install MPrime). It is rather simple:
sudo -s
tar -xvzf mprime258.tar.gz
cd mprime258
./mprime

[sdbardwick]

You are trying to run a gasoline engine (Cell processor) on diesel fuel (x86 code). The make of the car (operating system) doesn't matter.

[flouran]

Originally Posted by sdbardwick

You are trying to run a gasoline engine (Cell processor) on diesel fuel (x86 code). The make of the car (operating system) doesn't matter.

Then, do you know how to patch MPrime for Cell?