LINUX + AMD GPU (FirePro or regular)

[Hukkel]

Hi everyone,

I am currently working together with a company down the road of you guys to create a 4 CPU (4x 16 core) Big adv. folding machine.
It will also be used as a demo machine for trade shows.

Now I will need to run this in Linux otherwise I can't do Big adv.

But we also have the desire to add AMD gpus. Preferably FirePro cards but desktop would also be great.

But I understand that AMD gfx cards aren't supported by the Stanford Folding software in Linux.
If I am correct AMD does have drivers for Linux for its FirePro gfx cards.

Is there somewhere I could read about what is the current issue with it?
Is there anyway to get support for it in Linux in the future?

I hope someone can make me understand things again a bit better.

Tim

[7im]

Short answer is that the desktop AMD GPUs lack drivers with sufficient OpenCL support to run FAH in linux. One would assume the FirePro drivers lack the same support, although they could release updated drivers at any time.

[Hukkel]

Alright, I thought the FirePro drivers were better for Linux.

But then if the drivers get released Stanford will still need to make it possible for AMD cards to fold under Linux correct?

Is there any ETA for better AMD drivers?

[folding_hoomer]

I think the drivers for professional GPU offers only a wider range of capabilities which were necassary in professional programs - but the basis of the driver are the same.

So you will find the same OpenCL-driver in both driver-setup´s.

. . .
Is there any ETA for better AMD drivers?

I hope soon - but who kows?

If you got a good crystal ball - maybe you are able to see - mine has to be repaired because last prediction was wrong . . .

[P5-133XL]

The v7 folding clients have the capability built in to GPU fold in Linux. Core_17 is being beta tested for Linux, right now, unfortunately it currently only works with Nvidia Proprietary drivers. AMD proprietary drivers need work and the Open Source drivers do not yet have OpenCL support. Eventually, I would hope that it would all work in Linux but that will take some time and how long is outside of PG's control.

I don't know that Linux FirePro drivers have been explicit tested but if you want apply to join the beta testing team to test them then go ahead. Just be willing to accept all the duties and responsibilities therein.

[Hukkel]

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=n ... px=MTM5NjE

Does this change anything?
Or will this not open up the OpenCL support?

It certainly does sound VERY promissing and totally unexpected.

In a month also Crossfire big update for Catalyst in Windows.

AMD is working hard on the drivers.

[hootis]

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=n ... px=MTM5NjE

Does this change anything?
Or will this not open up the OpenCL support?

It certainly does sound VERY promissing and totally unexpected.

In a month also Crossfire big update for Catalyst in Windows.

AMD is working hard on the drivers.

Unfortunately that would not fix the problem's with open cl in gnu/linux but, I remember hearing a rumor that the 8000/9000 series (what ever the next one is called ugh marketing) will have open source drivers from the start with full support from AMD that would help but not with current generation GPU's. Amd is indeed stepping up their game with drivers though.

[Hukkel]

I really hope so. I want to add AMD gfx cards to my 4P folding system. I want to break the 1 million PPD barrier with one build

[Biffa]

I think you may find that adding the gpu's will have an adverse affect on the bigadv performance of the rig. I'd advise looking at building an E series Intel 4650 rig if you want an efficient 1m single box.

[TheBlademaster01]

Any updates on this 1 year later?

[7im]

Unless you have money to waste, always stick with the consumer level boards for folding (and then send me half the cash saved).

I recently saw a blog post where just released AMD drivers performed better than the previous generation of drivers. It also mention Windows and Linux, so I have to assume you can fold on Linux with AMD now.

P. S. Nice thread Necro.

[gero1369]

Sorry to necro again, but has anyone had good success folding with AMD cards on Linux?

I just installed Linux mint and did a fresh install of the folding software. I tried to fold on the default GPU driver and it didn't seem to work. I just switched to a different driver and things seem to be running, but painfully slow for the GPU (0.01% every minute or two). Anybody else have joy?

Specs:
CPU: i7 930
GPU: Radeon HD 7970

[bollix47]

It's been some time since I loaded drivers for my 7970 in linux but IIRC it went something like:

Code: Select all

Download amd-catalyst-14-9-linux-x86-x86-64.zip from AMD.
Open Files or nautilus, navigate to Downloads, right-click on the downloaded zip file and choose extract here.
ctrl-alt-t 
cd Downloads/fglrx-14.301.1001
ensure the installer is executable
chmod +x amd-driver-installer-14.301.1001-x86.x86_64.run
./amd-driver-installer-14.301.1001-x86.x86_64.run
reboot

Currently getting ~150K PPD on P13001

[gero1369]

thanks Bollix!
I did the install of the file that I extracted from the zip. The install using the GUI seemed to go fine, but I am still having the same issue as before. I'll see what I can do over the next few days and report back.