Hi,

I'm using BOINC on a Macbook Air with M1 SOC. As this computer has no fan, it would be better, if tasks would only running on efficiency cores, to avoid heating. So I propose to offer a checkbox "Run only on efficiency cores" in the calculation settings. This option could also be usefull for iPads.

To avoid heat I've selected 20% CPU time, but I've observed BOINC is using the cores in full load for 20% time and then wait 80% some time till the next full load time. Would if be possible to use the CPU "constantly" with the define percentage?

I this the right forum? If not, whom shall I address?

Kind regards
Frank

In general, a better solution than using 20% of time is to use only 20% of cores or 25% if machine is 4 cores.

If MacOS on the M1 works anyway like Android, all work is already done on the efficiency cores only. When you then set to use 8 cores, you essentially double load those efficiency cores. BOINC never uses the performance cores as these are restricted for use by the OS only.

If MacOS on the M1 works anyway like Android, all work is already done on the efficiency cores only. When you then set to use 8 cores, you essentially double load those efficiency cores. BOINC never uses the performance cores as these are restricted for use by the OS only.

That wouldn't make sense, as on AMLogic 12nm chips, they use less than 1 watt er 4 cores, and on my Snapdragon 731 (7 or 8nm) they can run 6 cores without overheating or any cooling solution.
That means that even if the 5nm A1 had 8 efficiency cores (instead of the 4 it has), it shouldn't overheat.

Either that, or the OP of this post is worried if the cores hit <65C.
If they hit 75C or less, your laptop will be fine. And depending on where the battery is in reference to the CPU, you may bump that CPU temp up to 75 or 80C without affecting battery life.

One recommendation I would give, is to lift your laptop, or let it rest on a glass/stone table.
Don't leave it on a table with tablecloth, as it will trap heat.

One recommendation I would give, is to lift your laptop, or let it rest on a glass/stone table.
Don't leave it on a table with tablecloth, as it will trap heat.

Good idea, I added some rubber feet to the bottom of my laptop that lift it an extra 3mm compared to the default and it runs about 4C cooler.

Slight OT: BOINC can run natively on M1 Macs...?

Slight OT: BOINC can run natively on M1 Macs...?

There is a version of BOINC itself available, but that's not the end of the story.

BOINC itself does nothing: it's just an enabler for the science applications written and provided by the projects. Until the projects have developed new applications for the changed environment, and utilising the features of the new Apple silicon, there's not must point in using a new version of BOINC.

We had a discussion in the lounge area towards the end of last year: Apple M1 & BOINC. That seemed to suggest that even the new version of BOINC isn't yet able to recognise that the Apple emulation layer (Rosetta 2) can run old science apps written for efficient running on Intel CPUs, so there's still some way to go. The Einstein project has now taken delivery of a test machine, and is starting to work out how best to deploy it.

The BOINC Manager runs natively on Apple Silicon, but my BOINC projects are running via Rosetta.