Do screen savers constitute the computer being "in use"?

Message boards : GPUGRID CAFE : Do screen savers constitute the computer being "in use"?

Author	Message
Richard Mitnick Send message Joined: 8 Feb 12 Posts: 60 Credit: 17,816,440 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 27611 - Posted: 7 Dec 2012 \| 20:27:09 UTC
	I have a computer the sole task of which is to crunch especially GPUGrid and other GPU projects. My configuration is to not run GPU while the computer is "in use". Since BOINC is all this machine does, just looking at the task list gets really boring. Just for variety, I thought about running project screen savers. But, does this constitute the computer being "in use", would screen savers stop GPU tasks from running? Thanks. ____________ Please check out my blog http://sciencesprings.wordpress.com http://facebook.com/sciencesprings
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skgiven Volunteer moderator Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 23 Apr 09 Posts: 3968 Credit: 1,995,359,260 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 27612 - Posted: 7 Dec 2012 \| 20:44:01 UTC - in response to Message 27611. Last modified: 7 Dec 2012 \| 20:45:29 UTC
	Good question. Screen savers use the GPU, so they slow tasks down, somewhat. They might also interfere with the tasks and cause failures. Then there are issues with some drivers and energy saving; when the screen saver kicks in the driver downclocks the card. I recommend not using a screen saver, not even blank. Use the monitor off button. Thanks, ____________ FAQ's HOW TO: - Opt out of Beta Tests - Ask for Help
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Richard Mitnick Send message Joined: 8 Feb 12 Posts: 60 Credit: 17,816,440 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 27613 - Posted: 7 Dec 2012 \| 22:51:29 UTC - in response to Message 27612.
	Thanks for the speedy reply. ____________ Please check out my blog http://sciencesprings.wordpress.com http://facebook.com/sciencesprings
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werdwerdus Send message Joined: 15 Apr 10 Posts: 123 Credit: 1,004,473,861 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 27614 - Posted: 8 Dec 2012 \| 6:15:28 UTC
	AFAIK "in use" would mean the mouse is moving or the keyboard is being used. I have had no issues with using blank screen saver or having the monitor going to sleep, since I upgraded from the 295 drivers. ____________ XtremeSystems.org - #1 Team in GPUGrid
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skgiven Volunteer moderator Volunteer tester Send message Joined: 23 Apr 09 Posts: 3968 Credit: 1,995,359,260 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 27618 - Posted: 8 Dec 2012 \| 14:23:44 UTC - in response to Message 27614.
	Yes, keyboard strokes or mouse movement means the system is in use. The screen saver doesn't make the system in use, in fact it's triggered by a period of inactivity. I've not experienced issues with 301.42 but with some subsequent drivers it was an issue, on some operating systems. ____________ FAQ's HOW TO: - Opt out of Beta Tests - Ask for Help
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Richard Mitnick Send message Joined: 8 Feb 12 Posts: 60 Credit: 17,816,440 RAC: 0 Level Scientific publications	Message 27619 - Posted: 8 Dec 2012 \| 14:51:53 UTC
	Thanks for the usual good discussion. ____________ Please check out my blog http://sciencesprings.wordpress.com http://facebook.com/sciencesprings
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mikey Send message Joined: 2 Jan 09 Posts: 298 Credit: 6,653,579,393 RAC: 14,994,247 Level Scientific publications	Message 27621 - Posted: 8 Dec 2012 \| 19:07:50 UTC - in response to Message 27618.
	Yes, keyboard strokes or mouse movement means the system is in use. The screen saver doesn't make the system in use, in fact it's triggered by a period of inactivity. I've not experienced issues with 301.42 but with some subsequent drivers it was an issue, on some operating systems. BUT the pc uses the cpu and the gpu to draw the screensaver which takes away from crunching time. EVERYTHING the pc does it uses the cpu to either do it or tell something else what to do, in some cases it tells a part to do something and then 'report back', that keeps the cpu busy doing whatever that may be instead of crunching at full speed. The 'best' thing to do is to turn the screen savers off, or use the blank screen one, and just use the power button on the monitor itself to turn it off. Now how much that saves has always been up for debate, but it does save SOME. [sarcasm on]So the next question is 'how long are you going to crunch?' Is it years, months, eons...how long? If the answer is years or eons then the power saved and extra crunching done can be significant over that length of time. I personally have been crunching since December 1999(officially) and have saved more than enough to save the power company from buying another turbine, I would guess. Now the fact that I have 15 pc's at home, most with at least one gpu in it, crunching 24/7 means they had to buy 2 extra ones just for me!! BUT I did save them from having to buy a third one!![sarcasm off]
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Message boards : GPUGRID CAFE : Do screen savers constitute the computer being "in use"?

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