Extra 3D Boost Vs. SSE

binksfan · Post by **binksfan** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 10:45 am

I have added -advmethods and -forceasm to the shortcut to FAH3 consoles on both my machines. When they start up, they both register writing local files and Extra 3D Boost OK, however, I have noticed that if I stop the folding on my XP2100+ and restart it, it reads Extra SSE Boost OK (instead of the 3D Boost). I don't see any speed difference between the two....or do they both mean the same thing? Other machine stays same (3D Boost) if I stop and restart. Anyone know why it does this? Just curious!

emobley3 · Post by **emobley3** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 11:53 am

I'm not sure if this will help, but some Socket A mobo's will turn off SSE recognition on the AMD procs when they restart. I have 2 that do this (FIC AD11). A way to check is to use a program called wcpuid. You can find this program by using one of the search engines. After you have downloaded the prog run it then click on the tweaks menu. Look for SSE recognition (or something like this), click on it and it will bring up a screen to enable this feature of the chip. Hope this helps as SSE seems to be about 20% to 30% faster on my machines.

binksfan · Post by **binksfan** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 2:08 pm

emobley,

What I'm asking is, "Why, when machine finishes a WU and starts a new one, the console prints out "3D Boost OK" and starts working on that unit. If I stop the folding program and restart it, THEN it prints out "SSE Boost OK". Which I take to mean that SSE is there (and enabled) it just doesn't start automatically when it starts a new WU.

(FOR INFO)
I have WCPUID already....and on the main screen it shows "SSE supported". So I went into the 'tweaks' menu item and the screen that pops up has a section that reads "AMD Athlon MP/4 SSE Control". When I click that I get a new screen that has two radio buttons for SSE detection (enable and disable). Mine was on disable, so I clicked on enable. Closed the wcpuid program and then started it again. When I went back to that screen is was on disable again. Clicked Enable/Closed/Reopened, back on disable. Did this a third time and I got a blue screen that said 'Windows encountered a problem and must restart". Machine rebooted, folding restarted auto, but no SSE. Closed and restarted F@H and second line prints out 'SSE Boost OK'. I don't know.....maybe I should just leave well enough alone. I seems to use SSE if I just remember to close and restart FAH. (and it is faster....each step that was taking 7 1/2 mins. is now taking 06:10).

Thanx for response,
Binks

rickoic · Post by **rickoic** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 4:04 pm

Thats a problem with 3.24. It will init SSE for 1 work unit and then fall back to whatever is before that.

A fix has been worked out, but not officially released as yet on it as other requests are also being worked upon for testing soon and after testing we will see version 3.26 pop out.

Rick

binksfan · Post by **binksfan** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 5:15 pm

Thanks Rick.....AGAIN!!!

Ref (your sig), Your my Guru. You seem to have most of the answers for the folding (teams) board. Maybe you should be a moderator. Yeah, dats it, Rick for moderator!

lance-tek · Post by **lance-tek** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 6:04 pm

Originally posted by binksfan
Thanks Rick.....AGAIN!!!

...... Maybe you should be a moderator. Yeah, dats it, Rick for moderator!

I second that motion, Rickoic for moderator of Teams and Clubs!!!!

-lance

YARDofSTUF · Post by **YARDofSTUF** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 6:17 pm

rick does a great job and he should be one of the next ppl considered when a mod is needed but do we really need another now?

i dont think so.

lance-tek · Post by **lance-tek** » Mon Jun 23, 2003 10:22 pm

I see some names in the MODs list that I don't even recognize. Let's just replace one with someone whom is here a lot.

I think Rickoic would make a good mod but I guess there may not be a need for one right now.

OK Rickoic for Honorary MOD

-lance

BMED · Post by **BMED** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 12:54 am

Originally posted by lance

OK Rickoic for Honorary MOD

-lance

I second that emotion!

Rick has been an inspiration to us all...and has single-handily greeted/commended us all at one time or another!

My vote is in,

BMED

emobley3 · Post by **emobley3** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 2:53 am

Originally posted by binksfan
emobley,

What I'm asking is, "Why, when machine finishes a WU and starts a new one, the console prints out "3D Boost OK" and starts working on that unit. If I stop the folding program and restart it, THEN it prints out "SSE Boost OK". Which I take to mean that SSE is there (and enabled) it just doesn't start automatically when it starts a new WU.

(FOR INFO)
I have WCPUID already....and on the main screen it shows "SSE supported". So I went into the 'tweaks' menu item and the screen that pops up has a section that reads "AMD Athlon MP/4 SSE Control". When I click that I get a new screen that has two radio buttons for SSE detection (enable and disable). Mine was on disable, so I clicked on enable. Closed the wcpuid program and then started it again. When I went back to that screen is was on disable again. Clicked Enable/Closed/Reopened, back on disable. Did this a third time and I got a blue screen that said 'Windows encountered a problem and must restart". Machine rebooted, folding restarted auto, but no SSE. Closed and restarted F@H and second line prints out 'SSE Boost OK'. I don't know.....maybe I should just leave well enough alone. I seems to use SSE if I just remember to close and restart FAH. (and it is faster....each step that was taking 7 1/2 mins. is now taking 06:10).

Thanx for response,
Binks

OK, I understand now. As rick said there is a beta version 3.25 out now. I have been using it for a while now with no problems. If you want to try it you can get it here: http://www.stanford.edu/group/pandegrou ... beta.html.

Hope this helps.

binksfan · Post by **binksfan** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 2:54 pm

Solved it! [Doh] When I made shortcuts with 'advmethods & forceasm' I put a copy in the systray but I left the old shortcut in the start menu. When the machine starts up after off or reboot, it starts without the 'optimizations forced on'. Just changed that by putting new shortcut in and its now working properly. Hey, old Homer ain't got nothin' on me ('cept a wife with tall, blue hair).

Cypher · Post by **Cypher** » Tue Jun 24, 2003 8:37 pm

Rick owns this board by his compasion for the cause alone.