Is there a way to limit how intensely a GPU is utilized?

[safetaco]

I am running Windows 10 with an NVIIDIA 1650 Super. I have determined how to lower the thread count for my CPU, is there any way to do this for my GPU?

My PC seems to be a little to hot even with the client set to "Light". Part of me wishes there was an "Extra Light" setting

[JimboPalmer]

(I am just a user like you, so don't take my opinion as gospel)

Welcome to Folding@Home!

Sadly the Operating System does not control the GPU as much as the CPU. In F@H, the GPU is either on or off.

Programs like MSI's Afterburner can underclock GPUs as well as overclock them. This will reduce heat, and performance.

https://afterburner-download.org/en/Afterburner.html

[Mxyzptlk]

Plus one for Afterburner. I use it to power limit the GPU’s and lower the heating. But the folding loss is pretty minimal down to a 75% range.

[kiore]

Plus one for Afterburner. I use it to power limit the GPU’s and lower the heating. But the folding loss is pretty minimal down to a 75% range.

Agreed I run my GTX 1660ti at 80% power limit via Afterburner successfully with not a huge differncence in performance but keeps temps under 70C for me.

[safetaco]

I just decided to disable the GPU for now and just run the CPU at 2 threads. Good enough for the time being.

I wish F@H had a setting to go slightly easier on lower-end gear. I guess that is what the advanced settings are for.

I set my config.xml file to this to disable my GPU so it doesn't come back on every restart:

Code: Select all

[<config>
  <!-- Folding Slot Configuration -->
  <gpu v='false'/>

  <!-- Slot Control -->
  <power v='LIGHT'/>

  <!-- User Information -->
  <passkey v='xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx'/>
  <user v='name'/>

  <!-- Folding Slots -->
  <slot id='0' type='CPU'/>
</config>

[JimboPalmer]

Because the gamers always want maximum frame rate, there is no demand for vendors to add GPU throttling settings, so F@H has no way to reduce usage. We are too small a market.

[promeneur]

Yes there is a way... with Linux cpulimit app.

Perhaps there is some cpulimit app for windows.

See here https://www.makeuseof.com/windows-limit ... e-program/

Limiting CPU usage limits GPU usage.

[BobWilliams757]

You could throttle CPU until it impacts the GPU, but it's much easier to just power limit the GPU. And it gives you the option of retaining full CPU power while limiting only what you want. The same is true for the CPU, if you want to limit use just alter the number of threads used, rather than downclocking it and slowing down the entire system.

[promeneur]

OK

What is your practical solution ?

[BobWilliams757]

I just use MSI Afterburner. It's free, simple to use, and works. Though the lower power limits vary some with hardware, you can reduce GPU power down to the 50-60% range, which in turn creates less heat, lower fan speeds, and due to that less sound.

Beyond that experimenting with CPU and/or chassis fan settings can be important, as well as in some cases the GPU fan settings. If you stir up all the heat but don't remove it from the case in exchange for cooler air, it somewhat defeats the purpose. This can also be the case with a GPU with passive cooling as it helps remove the heat created. But the same could be done with a fan controller and might be more flexible, since you could ramp speed up when GPU folding at higher powers, even if not CPU folding.

[promeneur]

Not for my OS Linux OpenSuse.

Thanks

[PaulTV]

You can limit GPU usage via nvidia-smi. It's not persistent through reboots, so you'll have to put it in a boot script and/or cron.

With 'nvidia-smi -q | grep -i power' you can check the power limits of your GPU.
Example to set power limit to 250:

nvidia-smi -pl 250
nvidia-smi -pm ENABLED

[promeneur]

@paulTV

thanks

I will test this solution

[promeneur]

here is the features of the card GT 1030

:~> nvidia-smi -q | grep -i power
Power Management Object : N/A
SW Power Cap : Not Active
HW Power Brake Slowdown : Not Active
Power Readings
Power Management : Supported
Power Draw : N/A
Power Limit : 30.00 W
Default Power Limit : 30.00 W
Enforced Power Limit : 30.00 W
Min Power Limit : 25.50 W
Max Power Limit : 30.00 W