Google Compute

QuaunautQuaunaut The longest seven days in history... Join Date: 2003-03-21 Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
<div class="IPBDescription">Donate Your PC Idle Time to Research!</div> <a href='http://toolbar.google.com/dc/offerdc.html' target='_blank'>Google Compute</a>

Simply installing this will allow you to donate computer power to different research projects during your idle time.

I personally think this is a great idea, and am gonna go for it. The FAQ is on the site- it answered all of my questions.

Though, a side question: How many watts of power does a PC usually use if the monitor and sound are disabled?

Comments

  • im_lostim_lost TWG Rule Guru Join Date: 2003-04-26 Member: 15861Members
    I have one of these installed, it's set to only run when the screen saver turns on, and I never turn off my computer, so that's pretty often.

    Quaunaut, get over to the TWG thread.
  • napinapi Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14172Members, Constellation
    shame you have to have the toolbar (know you can hide it... just don't really want it)

    But already do this with SETI and a couple of cancer research ones (similar to that one... analysing protein structures
  • Lt_PatchLt_Patch Join Date: 2005-02-07 Member: 40286Members
    Already Folding, and I personally hate the Google Toolbar. I normally nuke it as part of a standard spyware sweep. Unconfirmed as to whether or not the Google Toolbar is actually classed as spyware, I just nuke all toolbars, just to be on the safe side <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> (And I'm not just talking about hiding them neither, I'm talking registry changes, IE properties, the lot...)

    T'ink I might give it a miss.

    Nice idea Google, but wrong delivery method. Distributed Computing programs should be kept seperate from something that builds itself into the Windows shell... Or at least have an option to run as a service, or on a "when run" scheme...
  • [WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
    I am now part of the collective.

    I know it's at least somewhat naive, but I have faith that google will eventually solve all of the world's problems where information is the missing ingredient.

    If only this were available for linux, then I'd install it on 2 other boxes I have.
  • TommyVercettiTommyVercetti Join Date: 2003-02-10 Member: 13390Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    I'd join, but I don't have idle time.
  • DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
    Ugh. If this is anything like SETI@home (which I reckon it is) it'll keep my processor whirring along at a cool 100 percent usage. Which is not actually cool at all, really. As a matter of fact, I reckon that it neuters the longevity of said processor.

    Of course if this works differently (read: efficiency for ME rather than efficiency for THEM) I've got no problem with joining in.
  • [WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
    you can set max processor usage.

    And seriously, when's the last time anyone here had a cpu stop working except when installing a new one that was defective or did something stupid like take off the cooling fan during the summer?
  • Lt_PatchLt_Patch Join Date: 2005-02-07 Member: 40286Members
    edited May 2005
    Dubb, the whole point of a DC program using what is known as "idle time", means that they are DESIGNED to max out your processor usage. If you are playing HL2, then they will allow HL2 to have the CPU time that it needs, and they will just siphon off the remainder...

    Them, last week actually. Cyrix M-II 250MHz one. Just died during a CPU hardware check. It gave a steady decrease in whet, and dhrystone operations, and just locked the system up. No POST afterwards, change to another CM-II gave the happy POST beeps, and the system went out afterwards.

    I have seen a processor die. It is not pretty...
  • [WHO]Them[WHO]Them You can call me Dave Join Date: 2002-12-11 Member: 10593Members, Constellation
    <!--QuoteBegin-Lt Patch+May 4 2005, 12:10 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Lt Patch @ May 4 2005, 12:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Them, last week actually. Cyrix M-II 250MHz one. Just died during a CPU hardware check. It gave a steady decrease in whet, and dhrystone operations, and just locked the system up. No POST afterwards, change to another CM-II gave the happy POST beeps, and the system went out afterwards. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Did you get the new CM-II out of your pocket calculator?

    Seriously, WTH. Buy a faster proc once in a while man.
  • DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-T h e m+May 4 2005, 02:10 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (T h e m @ May 4 2005, 02:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->you can set max processor usage.

    And seriously, when's the last time anyone here had a cpu stop working except when installing a new one that was defective or did something stupid like take off the cooling fan during the summer?<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    About twelve months ago, for me. It was an Athlon XP 2100+ (although it was a nice time for it to die, because I was able to get a P4 2.8 ghz on sale soon after).

    <!--QuoteBegin-Lt Patch+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Lt Patch)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Dubb, the whole point of a DC program using what is known as "idle time", means that they are DESIGNED to max out your processor usage. If you are playing HL2, then they will allow HL2 to have the CPU time that it needs, and they will just siphon off the remainder...<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm not worried about having adequate resources for playing games. Hell, I barely play games the way it is. I'm just worried about murdering my processor by making it run at full-tilt all day long (generally the time during which my computer is idle).
  • Lt_PatchLt_Patch Join Date: 2005-02-07 Member: 40286Members
    edited May 2005
    <!--QuoteBegin-T h e m+May 4 2005, 07:15 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (T h e m @ May 4 2005, 07:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Lt Patch+May 4 2005, 12:10 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Lt Patch @ May 4 2005, 12:10 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Them, last week actually. Cyrix M-II 250MHz one. Just died during a CPU hardware check. It gave a steady decrease in whet, and dhrystone operations, and just locked the system up. No POST afterwards, change to another CM-II gave the happy POST beeps, and the system went out afterwards. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Did you get the new CM-II out of your pocket calculator?

    Seriously, WTH. Buy a faster proc once in a while man. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm gonna start dishing out some ****-slaps soon.

    How can you sell a S754 A64 3200 to an old couple who don't even need a bloody PC!

    And we keep a box of old-**** processors in with our refurb stuff, just in case we need to replace a dead old one...

    Anyway, why do I need to upgrade. My system rocks HL2 at 100+ fps... A64 3500+ S939, 1GB XMS RAM, 2x 6600GT Gamer Editions. Why do I need to upgrade. I JUST SPENT F***ING 800 QUID ON THE BLOODY THING!!!!
  • AbraAbra Would you kindly Join Date: 2003-08-17 Member: 19870Members
    I sense binary anger.

    Might try this.
    Soon.
  • Lt_PatchLt_Patch Join Date: 2005-02-07 Member: 40286Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Dubbilex+May 4 2005, 07:19 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dubbilex @ May 4 2005, 07:19 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Lt Patch+--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Lt Patch)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Dubb, the whole point of a DC program using what is known as "idle time", means that they are DESIGNED to max out your processor usage. If you are playing HL2, then they will allow HL2 to have the CPU time that it needs, and they will just siphon off the remainder...<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    I'm not worried about having adequate resources for playing games. Hell, I barely play games the way it is. I'm just worried about murdering my processor by making it run at full-tilt all day long (generally the time during which my computer is idle). <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Then you download the Folding client, install it as a service, go the the Services tab under the computer management console, and set it to only run between certain times. Problem solved.


    You probably end up doing more damage to the processor by leaving it on all day than what you would if you maxed it out for a while...
  • DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
    edited May 2005
    <!--QuoteBegin-Lt Patch+May 4 2005, 02:43 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Lt Patch @ May 4 2005, 02:43 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> You probably end up doing more damage to the processor by leaving it on all day than what you would if you maxed it out for a while... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    How does that even make sense? It's either leave it at <5 percent or leave it at 100 for eight hours or more.
  • Lt_PatchLt_Patch Join Date: 2005-02-07 Member: 40286Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Dubbilex+May 4 2005, 08:30 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Dubbilex @ May 4 2005, 08:30 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> <!--QuoteBegin-Lt Patch+May 4 2005, 02:43 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Lt Patch @ May 4 2005, 02:43 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> You probably end up doing more damage to the processor by leaving it on all day than what you would if you maxed it out for a while... <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    How does that even make sense? It's either leave it at <5 percent or leave it at 100 for eight hours or more. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    The processors are designed to be thrashed about, particularly the ones aimed at the enthusiast market. It will do no more damage maxing out the processor than it will leaving it on all day. They are stress tested at the manufacturer's.

    Why do you think benchmarks are a good thing? Becuase they can find out if a component is going to fail under extreme pressure. All that a benchmark does is to potentially simulate a long time period of un-natural stress on a system, which is why benchmarking old system generally tends to **** them right up. Basically, it compresses stress on components to a 10 minute mad stress.

    Like I said. Maxing out a processor does it no more harm than just leaving it on. Unless you have a poor cooling solution, and it overheats itself...
  • bLb_SlayerbLb_Slayer Join Date: 2005-01-10 Member: 34501Members
    I've had SETI running at full pelt 24/7 for a few years now and I only shut down my computer to carry it to different LANs where SETI starts right up again. I've noticed no performance loss during the approx. 20,000 hours my CPU has been running at 100%. Hardly any crashes (4-5. I'm certain none of them were CPU related).

    Athlon XP 2000+ in an Apogee 7vjl with 2*256MB unknown RAM (probably Kingston)

    I think it's just good for your CPU to stretch its circuits, burn it in as it were, instead of giving it bursts of high demand followed by long periods of nothingness.

    And Folding? What a waste of CPUpower. Aliens will give us the technology we need! <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin-fix.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin-fix.gif' /><!--endemo--> All hail our <!--emo&::hive::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/hive5.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='hive5.gif' /><!--endemo--> masters!
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