Folding@home Automation

[BeastyB314]

Is there a way to automate my computer to stop and start folding after a certain amount of time? I want to give my parts a break after like 5 or 6 hours of pumping out data and getting hot, and I'm afraid I'll forget sometime.

 

This is also my first year folding so I'm a bit concerned with my parts safety

[BondiBlue]

What components are you planning to fold on? Computer components can run at full load for a long time without issue, so folding 24/7 isn't a problem unless you can't keep temperatures reasonable. I've got machines that fold nearly 24/7 for weeks or even months on end. Hell, I had a 2006 iMac running F@h 24/7 for multiple YEARS without stopping. Still works perfectly fine today. 

 

Obviously there can be other reasons for not wanting to fold 24/7 (power usage/cost, heat output, etc.), but usually part wear and tear isn't much of an issue. Even then a month is not a long time for folding compared to what a lot of us do. 

[GOTSpectrum]

I believe you can do scheduling through the chrome extension @LAR_Systems made

 

https://folding.lar.systems/

[BeastyB314]

41 minutes ago, BondiBlue said:

What components are you planning to fold on? Computer components can run at full load for a long time without issue, so folding 24/7 isn't a problem unless you can't keep temperatures reasonable. I've got machines that fold nearly 24/7 for weeks or even months on end. Hell, I had a 2006 iMac running F@h 24/7 for multiple YEARS without stopping. Still works perfectly fine today. 

 

Obviously there can be other reasons for not wanting to fold 24/7 (power usage/cost, heat output, etc.), but usually part wear and tear isn't much of an issue. Even then a month is not a long time for folding compared to what a lot of us do. 

I was planning to only fold on my GPU (6900 XT), however I don't think I can just turn off the CPU's (9700K) folding. Right now my Gpu hovers around 80 degrees, and my CPU 65-70 degrees.

 

Also the computer I'm folding on is my Gaming setup, and I would like performance to not take a hit.

[GOTSpectrum]

5 minutes ago, BeastyB314 said:

I was planning to only fold on my GPU (6900 XT), however I don't think I can just turn off the CPU's (9700K) folding. Right now my Gpu hovers around 80 degrees, and my CPU 65-70 degrees.

 

Also the computer I'm folding on is my Gaming setup, and I would like performance to not take a hit.

You can turn of the CPUs folding through the advanced control panel, it will let you remove hte CPU folding slot completely. Let me know if you want me to grab some screenshots for you 

[Gorgon]

10 hours ago, BeastyB314 said:

Is there a way to automate my computer to stop and start folding after a certain amount of time? I want to give my parts a break after like 5 or 6 hours of pumping out data and getting hot, and I'm afraid I'll forget sometime.

 

This is also my first year folding so I'm a bit concerned with my parts safety

Afterburner can be used to reduce the Power on the GPU to keep it cooler and set to apply at startup.

The CPU is a little trickier. Just fold on less threads.

 

Task Scheduler can be used to start & stop. I set my rigs to finish 1 1/2 hours before the electricity rates go up as my GPUs take, on average, about 3 hours per WU:

\<path>\FAHClient --send-finish (or --send-pause, but that will run down points until you restart)
\<path>\FAHClient --send-unpause

[RichardR]

You're better off folding full time but at a lower power, underclock the GPU with afterburner if you like, if you're worries about your components.

What kills components is generally thermal cycles, heating up and cooling down. Staying warm will be much better than getting hot and then cooling back down over and over again.

[Gorgon]

On 10/5/2022 at 4:20 AM, RichardR said:

You're better off folding full time but at a lower power, underclock the GPU with afterburner if you like, if you're worries about your components.

What kills components is generally thermal cycles, heating up and cooling down. Staying warm will be much better than getting hot and then cooling back down over and over again.

At idle most GPUs are still running 30-35C so thermal cycling is not likely to be an issue. I have may GPUs I've been running like this for 4+ years and no failures so far.