Would you buy a new card to Fold@Home?

[Scott]

My question is would buy a new card to Fold@Home and play games on if it meant you would not have to use a bunch of other computers to have good Folding progess?

[Dragon_CPU]

actually I voted for the no more than $400, but really I wont spend more than $200 on any video card.

[MtDew]

I am with Dragon_CPU. Plus, I don't game......

The boss on the home front (wife) would kill me if I spent that much on a single computer part. She would tell me that I can go buy a whole computer for that price ($400 or more).

By the way, she is technologically challenged! She can understand that I have three computers under my desk. 1 for XP, 1 for Vista, and 1 for Linux.

:keepfolding:

[Dragon_CPU]

Yep thats why it took so long for me to buy a 3870, and I just traded for a 2900XT on another forum to have it to play with but no way I would have ever spent $300 or more for the XT or an x2 or gtx...well you get the picture I like a fast vid card but if it costs more than $200 total forget it sorry just me I'd rather spend the money on a better processor or ram or such...Of course I can afford them though, look how many systems I ve since I joined a few months ago 4...LOL...I go through systems like changing my socks...I just like to test out new parts and then get something different and do it again, I should be a reviewer...HMMM

Anyone call dibs on the current build it'll probably be sold in a month or 2...LMAO

[Dragon]

i voted #4 heck the heck is that :p ... i upgrade my comp mainly for gaming . now if that peticular card can do folding then it will fold .. ( i been waiting for the client to get updated to handle the newer cards from ati ) as far as cost if i can afford 400 bones for a video card i will spend it . 500 not a chance in hell ....

[Goliath182]

Im thinking of getting a GTX 260, and putting my 8800 GT in another rig to fold. I would also fold the GTX 260 but not as much.

[tyle6]

I would most def. buy a new card that would outfold all the PCs in my house, Ive been more then happy with the bang i got for my buck on a lonely 9800GTX. Wouldn't mind trying out a dual core card soon to fold and game on!!

[Sadasius]

I would and voted for #3 of not spending more than $600 on. But in all honesty I think I would go even higher then that because I have a hole in my pocket when it comes to computers. Christ I spent $1300 on my water cooling system alone in my newest build...:lol:

[raidersforever01]

My limit is about $250 used to be $150 but now i got a job so i can buy myself a present now without feeling to guilty.

[slugbug]

I voted for the second option, but honestly I couldn't see myself even spending that much on a graphics card.

[Kougar]

I was amazed how many people bought ATI x1950 XTX or similar cards for Folding purposes when the GPU1 client came out. However those cards were under $300, and only got cheaper or could be bought used for even less.

I wouldn't buy a GPU just because I can fold on it, but I'd be more than happy to buy the best performing GPU that can also do Folding@home... at a reasonable price! $650 is just way outside of my budget, not to mention most others I bet.

[werty316]

I wouldn't buy a GPU just because I can fold on it, but I'd be more than happy to buy the best performing GPU that can also do Folding@home... at a reasonable price! $650 is just way outside of my budget, not to mention most others I bet.

Ditto as $600 & even $400 is too rich for my blood. $200, $250 max is what I usually would spend on a video card.

[Kougar]

It's amazing what a little competition can do... 9800GTX got price cut to $199, and 9800GTX+ got launched at $229. The + means it is a shrunk 55nm and higher clocked 9800GTX.

With the 4850 making a stir and the 4870 en route to launch next week things will only heat up. :)

[swmeek]

I voted for option two!

[Enigmachine]

I voted no because I really SHOULDN'T buy new hardward these days, with my non-paying job and all...

Also electricity isn't all that expensive here.

However I would probably seriously consider getting a cheap used card that can fold for my 2nd folder if that was clearly cheaper than paying for electricity. :)

[GamingTek]

Im a bit unsure...

Still though, I voted for no more then $400

[MoonRunX]

i would think that you run one EXE per core you plan on folding with...not sure though. where did you get the 5 number from in that article?

[zachig]

I just voted for 'less than $400'.

I've just purchased a new GTX275. I bought it mainly for gaming, but I'm definitely going to start folding on it in the next few days, as soon as I'll verify that its overclock is stable enough and temps are not going too high during folding...:icon_tiphat:

[Dragunover]

I would fold more often, but I don't want to run up the power bill and potentially heat my graphics card to too high of a level (though recently I took apart my computer and got the clotting dust in the fan.. like a 200% increase in airflow lol)

[exisus]

It would have to depend on my budget. Anything under $200 would be fine but I'd expect the card to be decent in gaming as well. In fact, I'd focus a little more on how much gaming performance I'd get for my dollar rather than how much better one card will fold. At the end of the day, I can always fold more to compensate but I can't bring back the added performance in gameplay.

[Meep]

I think the whole folding spectacle is a little ridiculous. There is little reason for it to have been turned into the sort of race that is has been turned into. But on the other hand, I suppose it helps science, which is always a good cause.

[Scott]

I can't wait till my Fermi gets here. That thing should fold!!!

[swmeek]

You lucky so-n-so! :dielaffin:

[Techinator]

After F@H suddenly dropped X1XXX cards from the program, two of which I bought expressly for that purpose, I am done with buying hardware for F@H. In fact, I am doing Rosetta now, among others (docking, WCG) instead of F@H.

[Techinator]

I have to agree. While I like distro projects and find it fascinating helping out on my PCs, why is F@H any better than, say, Rosetta or WCG? In the case of WCG, it is doing actual medical research, rather than the more general science of F@H.

The one reason F@H was cool is GPUs (do any other projects use GPUs?), but last time I checked, they require dedicated CPU cores, so you aren't exactly doing "extra" work.

I've never had anyone, certainly not anyone on these "fold for a cure" forums, explain to me why Folding is any better than any other distro project.


I think the whole folding spectacle is a little ridiculous. There is little reason for it to have been turned into the sort of race that is has been turned into. But on the other hand, I suppose it helps science, which is always a good cause.

[eunoia]

In my case it's not even a matter of "Would I..." but "Will I..." It took me 2 months of folding 24/7 to break 10000 in 25 WU. I don't think folding would influence my GPU upgrades, but when I do upgrade, it'll definitely be more enticing to fold more frequently.

My electricity is included in my rent so it wouldn't bother me to go for the world record! (evil laugh) I'm kidding of course, and I agree to a certain extent that competing is not what it's all about, but if that helps people stay interested in DC, it's a good thing. Doing charity in secret is the only real charity, but public charity (and the bragging rights) are a fairly innocuous step below.

[Techinator]

My electricity is included in my rent so it wouldn't bother me to go for the world record! (evil laugh) I'm kidding of course, and I agree to a certain extent that competing is not what it's all about, but if that helps people stay interested in DC, it's a good thing. Doing charity in secret is the only real charity, but public charity (and the bragging rights) are a fairly innocuous step below.
Electricity is definitely an issue, especially with a dual-GPU rig. I had this plan to Fold on a laptop with solar power only, but a 100+ watt solar panel is pretty expensive. There are ways to run a laptop off of live CDs or USB flash drives to reduce power usage, and no need for a monitor with remote admin. And the laptop CPUs just keep dropping in power usage.

Had it all figgered out, but for the expense of the solar panel. When the hell are solar panels going to get cheaper?

My inspiration was this guy: http://76.99.97.149/solarinfor.html

[CrowMagnum]

I would. In fact, I'm buying a watercooled, V-modded 8800GTS just for that. It's going in a dedicated folder/cruncher PC.

[dhoshaw]

I'm currently folding with 2 9800GX2s, 8800GT & 9600GSO. Just bought a 5850 Toxic to game/fold on hoping the GPU3 client will bring the folding on ATI cards up to par.
:keepfolding:

[Zenn]

I voted "Yes, but spend no more than $400.00" but I don't think I would spend over $200 for a card unless the $$/perf was better then other cheaper cards.

[dhoshaw]

Might get a GTX470 if they prove to be gool folders and are reliable. I don't think that I would go so far as to get a 480 though.

[Neal_White_III]

I agree with you, except that I went ahead and bought a 470. It's got to be better than my old 8800. I love it so far (in games), but I'm getting impatient waiting for the new Folding@Home client (so that I can really put the new to work).

[natetheskate]

Just make sure you ramp the fan up and keep a close eye on the temps. Now, get to folding!

[Nasdaqkeith]

I Bought 3 xxx 5870's From XFX And Wish That Gpu3 Would Get Finished I Am Losing Out To The Nvidia Cards Bad........Please Help Someone?:keepfolding:

[foxmobouser]

Nowadays I think getting a newer CPU would benefit folding more than getting a GPU. CPU's not only run alot cooler but get alot more ppd.

[Blacksmith1]

true but i can pop a400 or 500 series into my exsiting set up. for a new cpu (only the i7 get the big points)I would need a new M/B, and mem to go with it at a minimum.

[James86]

I'm getting a GT 430 to replace the ATI 4650 in my htpc cuz I leave it on all the time anyways

[swmeek]

I got an email today from Eve Online with a discount code for one of these cards.
EVGA GeForce GTX 550 Ti FPB
EVGA GeForce GTX 460
EVGA GeForce GTX 450
EVGA GeForce GTX 440
EVGA GeForce GTX 430
So I ordered the 550 Ti card and it also had a $20 USD rebate too along with it too.
It should net me a few more points for the cause! :keepfolding:

[James86]

that should fold about 9k per day

[swmeek]

I figure more than one of my 9800 gtx's is Folding too (heck maybe both if they were both running) LOL .
For the price I thought it was too good to pass up.
$149 to start with minus the discount making it $127.49 with a $20 mail in rebate too.
So $107.49 with free shipping (which normally is pretty darn quick) and it will probably be a little more power efficient than the old card.

[James86]

Wow that's a great deal

[Blacksmith1]

what are you doing with the 9800's?

[swmeek]

I'll probably keep them for backup's just in case.
Sorry just got off a 12 hour shift and meant to say one will keep Folding with the 470 once i get my Giga board and 860 back up and Folding and the other will be a back up.

[Scott]

what are you doing with the 9800's?

I have 2 9800GT's you can have for 20.00 each + shipping.

[Scott]

GTX280 you can have for 50.00 + shipping.

[swmeek]

All three would be nice little Folder's better than your 9600's any day!

[Blacksmith1]

GTX280 you can have for 50.00 + shipping.
Lemme see what I can do. I'll let you know one way or the other within a few days.
I'd like to pick up all 3 cause that's a good deal. but first i have to consult the budget, and then the budget keeper.......

[Rob]

...and then the budget keeper.......

Heh, I know who you're talking about! I have one of those, too. Always spoiling my fun.

[swmeek]

and then there's always the budget spenders.

[gstillman]

Spent a few dollars to add an XSPC water cooler and Danger Den waterblock for a GTX470. Noise levels are way too high when folding 24/7. The 470 is usually good for 12K ppd or so. Looking to build a cluster with GPUs, and may fold on the system when not doing research.

[Saryn]

I would love new gear to fold more, but can't afford any.

[brokenwave]

but i also will use for gaming then foldin would had to stop during game time

[oasis789]

If I buy a card, I want it for gaming First. Folding is second, since I don't game all the time.

[Blacksmith1]

that's what most of us do. and some can fold and game at the same time (multiple cards)

[oasis789]

But but but... so the cards are not in SLI? They are individual? And you can set it so that your game uses one and the folding gpu client uses the other?

Wouldn't you rather use both for gaming when you game and both for folding when you fold? Or is there a benefit to having something running all the time?

[Blacksmith1]

I can use them in SLI if I kill 2 clients. If I'm playing something like L4D that doesn't need the SLI I can game on one and fold on the other. And on old games like Quake 3, I can fold and game at the same time on the same card. And my third card can fold 24/7 (unless I use it for Physx) :D I'm running 2 GTX 480's and a GTX560 in my rig.

[oasis789]

You, sir, are some kind of jedi, because the force is strong in you.

[Blacksmith1]

I learned this stuff from guys here that were doing it. And trial & error... ;)
I want to build a rig that has 4 cards in it for folding. 4 gtx 590's (8 gpu's) would be nice, but that ain't gonna happen any time soon....

[Joshua_Mahr]

Might as well wait for the new offering from NVidia coming up next year. Also 4 590's would go nicely in a X79-UD7 ijs.