You have false assumption that there are optimal number of computers for the task at hand - there is not such thing. You just throw in more CPUs/GPUs/SPEs/... and project scientists will slowly add more complex tasks into the calculation pool.dricks wrote:Others would consider that you could turn off 297 000 TV while still entertaining 3000 peoples. That's what i mean.bapriebe wrote:Some people would consider 297,000 fewer idiots parked in front of the boob tube to be a great leap for civilization.dricks wrote:This project is like if there was 300 000 TV screens turned on, but only 3000 people actually watching TV.
That's my point.
Using real designed mainframe to do this calculation would be 100 times more efficient, but actually it's just a mess.
A nice proof of concept about clusters but that's all. And having more and more people involved in it using F@H client is just more and more a waste. Can't you realize it?
Will you have to wait having 1 000 000 TV on for 10 000 spectators? duh.
I dont say that this project should stop, but that it should evolve to a more efficient one. GPGPU is a path to it? OK, but then there should be a limit to the number of CPU allowed to folding based on the number of GPU working to keep efficiency up.
Is there any decision on this way?
With your preference for mainframes you dismiss the important factor of money to operate the project. The Distributed Computing is largely based on little thing called voluntary participation. Mainframe operation will require real money from the project to run the calculations and analysis, but DC will need money mainly for analysis. Thus DC systems are more cost effective per FLOPS to operate with. Calculation costs will be put on voluntary participants and they contribute or not solely based on their own needs and wishes. You can not define their participation as a waste - everyone is free to do what they like with their resources (being it computer time or electricity or what not). Participants will vote with their feet and there is little the project can do to stop them.