Most computers are equipped with a
Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)
that handles their graphical output,
including the 3-D animated graphics used in computer games.
The computing power of GPUs has increased rapidly,
and they are now often much faster than
the computer's main processor, or CPU.
Some BOINC-based projects have applications that run on GPUs.
These applications run from 2X to 10X faster than the CPU-only version.
We urge BOINC participants to use them if possible.
Just follow these instructions:
1) Check whether your computer has a capable GPU
- Identify the model name of your GPU.
On Windows, right-click on your desktop, and select Properties / Settings / Advanced / Adapter.
Note the Adapter Type and Memory Size.
-
To find out if your NVIDIA GPU is compatible:
check NVIDIA's list of CUDA-enabled products.
If your GPU is listed here and has at least 256MB of RAM, it's compatible.
- ATI GPUs: you need a platform based on the AMD R600 GPU or later.
R600 and newer GPUs are found with ATI Radeon HD2400,
HD2600, HD2900 and HD3800 graphics board.
A full list is
here.
2) Get the latest BOINC software
3) Get the latest driver
Run BOINC, and look at the Messages.
If BOINC reports a GPU, your current driver is OK.
Otherwise
4) Attach to projects with GPU applications
Projects with NVIDIA applications:
Projects with ATI applications:
You're done!
Soon you'll be racking up big credit numbers.
Of course, you can attach to other projects too;
BOINC will keep both your CPU and GPU busy.
Some things to be aware of
- By default, your GPU will be used only when you're
not using the computer;
otherwise graphical updates become jerky.
If you want to use the GPU all the time, you must change your
preferences.
- You can configure BOINC to not use GPUs when particular applications are running.
- You can configure BOINC to not use specific GPUs on a multi-GPU system.
- If you have questions or problems related to GPUs,
check the page at
at BOINCFAQ.
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