Using second GPU for GPU folding?

[Damian.Byrne]

Hey, I'm just wondering. My gaming rig is a Core i7 8700K, 16GB RAM and a GTX 1080 Ti. I want to make efficient use of it for folding while I'm gaming. Currently, while I'm not power-using (that is, I'm just browsing the web, watching videos etc, nothing heavy), I have F@H set to use 6 CPU threads and full use of my GPU. When I want to game, I turn off GPU folding.

I'm wondering...if I get a second GPU, purely for folding, would that be efficient? I'm not looking to fold 24/7, just whenever I'm on the machine. I ran a quick benchmark earlier. I only lose 20 frames between keeping the CPU folding on (6 threads) versus it off (I went down from 116 average to about 90 something at 1080p, all settings at maximum). I had a look at small cards like say the 1030, but I'm wondering if it would be worth it, considering it only has something like 300 odd CUDA cores. I'm not looking to get a card that requires a PCI-E power connector.

[LukeSavenije]

a mining made card would give you a pretty good value. something like a p106 is pretty cheap to get. a 1030 isn't really worth it imo

 

and btw, I don't even fold on my 8600k, as I can do 730.000-770.000 ppd on my 1070 ti and 73.000-77.000 on my cpu

[Silentprototipe]

The GT 1030 is kind of meh, Kinda like a 750TI but better or worse depending on what your doing. Theres also 1050's with no PCIE power connector 

[Damian.Byrne]

Just now, Silentprototipe said:

The GT 1030 is kind of meh, Kinda like a 750TI but better or worse depending on what your doing. Theres also 1050's with no PCIE power connector 

That's awesome. Great. I'll keep an eye out for such a 1050 then.

[Damian.Byrne]

2 minutes ago, LukeSavenije said:

a mining made card would give you a pretty good value. something like a p106 is pretty cheap to get. a 1030 isn't really worth it imo

 

and btw, I don't even fold on my 8600k, as I can do 730.000-770.000 ppd on my 1070 ti and 73.000-77.000 on my cpu

Good advice...especially since Linus published a video recently on reusing mining cards. Yeah, I'll keep an eye out for them as well.

[Silentprototipe]

2 minutes ago, Damian.Byrne said:

That's awesome. Great. I'll keep an eye out for such a 1050 then.

https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=02G-P4-6150-KR

 

This one I know has no PCIE connectors so take a look at it 

[BobVonBob]

I'd suggest grabbing a cheap older gen card from ebay/craigslist if you want to use a second card for folding, but also note that it will likely have higher power consumption if that's a concern for you.

 

Here's a link with the folding performance of reasonably recent graphics cards https://www.overclock.net/forum/55-overclock-net-folding-home-team/475163-gpu-projects-ppd-database.html

[TH3R34P3R]

19 minutes ago, Damian.Byrne said:

That's awesome. Great. I'll keep an eye out for such a 1050 then.

i have gotten 1050ti's with no power connector

 

The 1050ti SSC from EVGA has no power connector on it. its whats in one of my rigs.