How to max performace..

[xago666]

Hey I'm just wondering if anybody could give me some tips (other than overclocking) to make prime95 run faster. some info:

-AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 2.8GHz (overclocked to 2.94 GHz), I can overclock it more just need a better heatsink.
-CPU temp hovers between 50-60 celcius
-MSI K9N Platinum mobo (nForce 570 SLI)
-4 Gigs of RAM (although it only shows 2.50Gb in my computer properties(explanation?)
-DRAM freq 420 MHz
-L1 cache - 64 bytes, L2 cache 1024 bytes
-Max bandwidth PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
-Ive got 1842 MB dedicated to prime95 (the max it would allow)
-Affinity is on (run on any CPU)

I'm rather a noob here, any info would be great about anything, i love learning stuff about computers. Ask if u need any more info

peace,

[Mini-Geek]

Originally Posted by xago666

-4 Gigs of RAM (although it only shows 2.50Gb in my computer properties(explanation?)

Are you running a 32-bit or 64-bit OS? 32-bit has a memory limitation, which IIRC is around what you're describing.
As for it running faster, check that you're running on both cores (open Task Manager and check that it says CPU Usage: 100%, if not ask how to run dual) and close any needless things that run in the background. Use an anti-virus program that uses few resources.
Um yeah that's basically all I got. Prime95 is very efficient on its own and there's not much you need to do.

[mdettweiler]

Well, a couple starters:

-If you've got a multicore/multi-CPU system, set each instance of Prime95 to have affinity on one CPU (i.e. one instance on CPU 0, the other on CPU 1, etc. for as many cores/CPU's as you have)
-Clean out your case frequently (maybe once every three to six months), concentrating on keeping the CPU fan/heatsink assembly free of dust. I use an old canister vacuum for this, though an upright will work too if you can attach a hose. This helps performance by helping the CPU run as cool as possible, thus preventing it from automatically clocking down as a safeguard.

That's all I've got to suggest, maybe others have got more.

[xago666]

I'm using Windows XP, pretty sure its 32-bit, any way to remove the RAM limitation other than get a 64-bit?

Also, it turns out im only using about 50% of my CPU according to the task manager sooo how can i change that?

thanks

[mdettweiler]

Originally Posted by Mini-Geek

Are you running a 32-bit or 64-bit OS? 32-bit has a memory limitation, which IIRC is around what you're describing.
As for it running faster, check that you're running on both cores (open Task Manager and check that it says CPU Usage: 100%, if not ask how to run dual) and close any needless things that run in the background. Use an anti-virus program that uses few resources.
Um yeah that's basically all I got. Prime95 is very efficient on its own and there's not much you need to do.

If you have a 64-bit OS, you probably won't see any speed increase in LL testing and P-1 as compared to a 32-bit OS, but I think you'll see a twofold increase in trial factoring speeds.

If you're looking for an antivirus program that uses few resources, as Mini-Geek suggested, you might want to check out Avast--it's gotten top ratings from all the antivirus rating places, is extremely light on resources, and best of all, it's 100% free.

And although this won't speed anything up, you may want to consider upgrading to Prime95 25.5--though it's still technically in beta, it has few bugs left, and those that are left are hardly critical. But it has all sorts of new features, such as being able to run multithreaded (i.e. you can utilize multiple cores without having to run multiple instances of Prime95), and since GIMPS will probably be switching to PrimeNet v5 soon, you'll want to have the latest client that will work with it.

[mdettweiler]

Originally Posted by xago666

I'm using Windows XP, pretty sure its 32-bit, any way to remove the RAM limitation other than get a 64-bit?

Also, it turns out im only using about 50% of my CPU according to the task manager sooo how can i change that?

thanks

Okay, you either need to run two instances of Prime95 (give the second one a different computer ID, maybe add a 1 at the end), or upgrade to Prime95 25.5, which has multithreading built in.

[Mini-Geek]

Originally Posted by xago666

I'm using Windows XP, pretty sure its 32-bit, any way to remove the RAM limitation other than get a 64-bit?

Also, it turns out im only using about 50% of my CPU according to the task manager sooo how can i change that?

thanks

Not that I know of. It's a fundamental limitation with how 32-bit works.
Here's more info on it:
http://www.brianmadden.com/content/a...t-really-mean-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows...al_x64_Edition
Apparently, it's 4 GB, but XP splits that between the Kernel and applications, giving you 2.5 GB of usable RAM.

Originally Posted by Anonymous

And although this won't speed anything up, you may want to consider upgrading to Prime95 25.5--though it's still technically in beta, it has few bugs left, and those that are left are hardly critical. But it has all sorts of new features, such as being able to run multithreaded (i.e. you can utilize multiple cores without having to run multiple instances of Prime95), and since GIMPS will probably be switching to PrimeNet v5 soon, you'll want to have the latest client that will work with it.

I'm pretty sure George has stated that there will be a v4-to-v5 bridge so that v24.x will still work once the switch to v5/v25 has been made, and that the status page change isn't a sign of a very soon v5 transition.

If you want to run your two cores with v24, you have two options: use the -An switch, or use separate folders. To use separate folders, copy Prime95's folder - call it Prime95-2 or something - and run the second copy just like you'd run the first. The -An switch lets you run it from one folder and make separate sets of the config files that Prime95 uses so it's practically two copies. To do it, make two shortcuts to Prime95 and add -A0 to the end of one and -A1 to the end of the other (so the Target looks, e.g. like "C:\Program Files\Prime95\PRIME95.EXE" -A0). Either way, make them have different computer names, as Anonymous suggested.

[mdettweiler]

Originally Posted by Mini-Geek

I'm pretty sure George has stated that there will be a v4-to-v5 bridge so that v24.x will still work once the switch to v5/v25 has been made, and that the status page change isn't a sign of a very soon v5 transition.

Yeah, I figured that v24.x would still work after the v5 switchover--but, the way I see it, there's still not much reason not to switch to v25.x.

[xago666]

Well looks likw 25.5 did the trick i'm running at 100% CPU but i lost all the work i was doing on my previous exponent in 24.14

[Mini-Geek]

Originally Posted by xago666

Well looks likw 25.5 did the trick i'm running at 100% CPU but i lost all the work i was doing on my previous exponent in 24.14

How much work was that? Is it in the same folder or a different folder? If same folder, go to the worktodo.ini file and copy the line that starts with Test=, then close Prime95, go to the worktodo.txt file and paste it on the line above your other Test= line, then reopen Prime95 and it should work. If a different folder, do the same thing but copy both of the files that start with a letter then have some of the last numbers of the exponent you were testing.
I'm sure the final Prime95 v25.x will have automatic conversion of v24 options, if it doesn't already.

[xago666]

Nah, it was no big deal i just finished stage 2. sorry 1 more question, what should i set the following to:

-# of worker threads
-priority
-cpu affinity
-# of CPUs to use

thanks guys