Want to turn spare PC into folding@home machine

[DarkBlade2117]

Alright so this is going to be a multi use PC and wondering if Folding@Home can be downloaded on Windows Server 2012? It says Windows (All Version) on the website but don't know.

 

I'd be willing to spend a bit of money to try and get the most out of it, would adding like a GT 740 help out a lot? Also how would upgrading from an Athlon II 4 core 2.9Ghz CPU to a Phenom x6 1075T benefit? ( Sorry for vague CPU name, I forget somewhat ).

But do certain GPU's help out more than others? Like an R7 240/250 would it be any better than a GT 740? ect ect

[GDRRiley]

grabbing a gpu will help but get a good one. 

[DarkBlade2117]

2 hours ago, GDRRiley said:

grabbing a gpu will help but get a good one. 

As a GT 740 isn't some power house of a GPU, it is significantly better than an iGPU though I might be able to find an high end AMD HD 6XXX card or mid end HD 7XXX card.

[EvilLemur]

in the folding world what maters is what GPU you use, a GT740 wont give you much about 15k PPD vs a 750 or better will give you an easy 80k+  so you dont need power but if you want to help the more powerfull your GPU the better

[GDRRiley]

8 minutes ago, wrathoftheturkey said:

Isn't the folding@home ideology supposed to be to put idle power to better use? Just run the PC as is

yeah but some people go all out. 

[DarkBlade2117]

3 hours ago, EvilLemur said:

in the folding world what maters is what GPU you use, a GT740 wont give you much about 15k PPD vs a 750 or better will give you an easy 80k+  so you dont need power but if you want to help the more powerfull your GPU the better

I'll look around, how would something like an HD 6950 fair? I could probably snag one for $40 or less, PSU to much of an issue.

Looking it may even be possible to pick up a GTX 570/560Ti if they are better than a GT 740. Personally, I do not know.

[EvilLemur]

here is a current list of supported GPU's that work with folding at home, older models (legacy) may work but at the moment ATI 6XXX cards or above might work also many of the cards here listed give you an idea of what kind of perfomance you can expect from a certain card. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vcVoSVtamcoGj5sFfvKF_XlvuviWWveJIg_iZ8U2bf0/pub?output=html#

 

Here is the official support list https://folding.stanford.edu/home/faq/faq-gpu3-common/ 

 

Also as for running in windows sever 2012 you may have issues with permissions by can be solved by running FAH in a VM

[DarkBlade2117]

3 hours ago, EvilLemur said:

here is a current list of supported GPU's that work with folding at home, older models (legacy) may work but at the moment ATI 6XXX cards or above might work also many of the cards here listed give you an idea of what kind of perfomance you can expect from a certain card. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vcVoSVtamcoGj5sFfvKF_XlvuviWWveJIg_iZ8U2bf0/pub?output=html#

Alright going to look around, Would 40k PPD be a more reasonable number? I think a HD5970 should get 60k + but don't know if it is supported. I'll look around, probably will end up with like a 570 for 50k PPD