BOINC forcing GPU switch even when set to not use GPU????

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Robster

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Message 45292 - Posted: 15 Aug 2012, 20:59:24 UTC

Hi

I have a MacBook Retina, which is a lovely machine but battery life is not what I expected.

I run BOINC but this is set to do nothing when on battery, so should not affect battery life.

What I am noticing however, is that if BOINC is active but not running, it is still forcing my GPU to switch to the discrete GPU.

If I exit BOINC my machine immediately switches to integrated GPU and projected battery life gets another hour or two.

Again, this is on battery and BOINC set to not crunch data when on battery.

Any ideas or thoughts, I don't want to have to remember to close BOINC whenever I unplug my laptop!!!!!

Cheers.

Robin
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Message 45293 - Posted: 15 Aug 2012, 21:08:42 UTC - in response to Message 45292.  

From http://boinc.berkeley.edu/wiki/GPU_computing#Things_to_be_aware_of, last note:
Some newer MacBooks have dual GPUs with automatic switching. BOINC won't detect the NVIDIA or ATI/AMD GPU unless it is currently selected. You can force selection either permanently or temporarily using a third-party utility. But be aware that forcing the use of the NVIDIA or ATI/AMD GPU may cause faster battery drain; this of course is not an issue when running on AC power.

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Robster

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Message 45320 - Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 5:26:03 UTC - in response to Message 45293.  

Hi

Thanks for the reply but it does not really answer my question!

I have set the preferences for BOINC to NO COMPUTING WHEN ON BATTERY

But even with this setting in place, BOINC is forcing the discrete GPU to be active, surely if it is not processing it should not be holding the GPU active and thereby draining my battery faster?

Robin

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Charlie Fenton
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Message 45322 - Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 6:39:18 UTC - in response to Message 45320.  
Last modified: 17 Aug 2012, 8:02:07 UTC

Please see this post through this post.

Then, please tell me the following so we can figure out a better way to solve this problem for you and for others:
[1] Do you have your computing preferences set to "leave applications in memory while suspended"?
[2] If so, does turning that option off fix the problem?
[3] Have you installed CUDA on this MacBook?
[4] Are you attached to any BOINC projects which use the GPU?
[5] Please let me know what works for you and what doesn't.

Thanks in advance for your response.
Charlie Fenton
BOINC / SETI@home Macintosh & Windows Programmer
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Robster

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Message 45325 - Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 12:40:03 UTC - in response to Message 45322.  

Hi

1. No this is not checked.
2. It was already off.
3. Umm, really do not know what this is, how would I find out?
4. My projects are Seti and Rosetta, I am not sure about the GPU bit.
5. Nothing really helped!

Just to be clear, I have no issue with BOINC using my GPU when my computer is plugged in and BOINC is processing.

The only issue is that, I have unchecked the box that would allow BPOINC to process when on battery, I would then expect BOINC to release the discrete GPU until it starts processing again but gfxCardStatus is clearly indicating it is BOINC and only BOINC that is stopping my computer switching to integrated graphics when I am on battery power.

Indeed quitting BOINC immediately causes the switch to integrated graphics.

I hope some of the above can help.

If there is anything you want me to try, please just ask.

Regards.

Robin

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Charlie Fenton
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Message 45335 - Posted: 17 Aug 2012, 23:03:39 UTC - in response to Message 45325.  
Last modified: 17 Aug 2012, 23:08:58 UTC

5. Nothing really helped!

Thanks for the feedback.

One person wrote here that setting the no_gpus option fixed this issue, but I don't understand how that would solve this problem. From your reply, I understand that you tried that and it didn't help. Is that correct?

I think I have an idea of what is causing this, but I don't have a solution yet. I'll need to check with Apple and we probably will need to make some changes to BOINC. I'm afraid this may take a couple of weeks, so please be patient.

I'll let you know when we have a fix.

Cheers,
--Charlie
Charlie Fenton
BOINC / SETI@home Macintosh & Windows Programmer
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Robster

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Message 45340 - Posted: 18 Aug 2012, 5:43:14 UTC - in response to Message 45335.  

Hi

I do not know how to set the no_gpus thing, I would really like to make use my of GPU's when plugged in, just not when on battery!

Really hope you can come up with a fix!

Regards.

Robin
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Charlie Fenton
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Message 45351 - Posted: 19 Aug 2012, 6:31:11 UTC - in response to Message 45340.  

I have one more question for you. Are you runing OS 10.7 Lion or OS 10.8 Mountain Lion?

Cheers,
--Charlie

Charlie Fenton
BOINC / SETI@home Macintosh & Windows Programmer
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Robster

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Message 45362 - Posted: 20 Aug 2012, 7:31:59 UTC - in response to Message 45351.  

10.8

Mountain Lion.

Robin
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Robster

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Message 45411 - Posted: 23 Aug 2012, 6:54:51 UTC - in response to Message 45362.  

Hi

If there is anything I can do to help, like testing a beta release to fix this issue.

Please let me know, I am happy to help.

Robin
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alanl

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Message 45457 - Posted: 26 Aug 2012, 23:06:19 UTC

Hi

I found your posting via Google, and have a possible solution for you.

I also have a Macbook retina, and experience same forced use of separate GPU with BOINC 7.0.31 installed and preferences set to not use GPU, ie preference ignored.

You can use gfxCardStatus.app to ensure use of integrated graphics whilst on battery - works for me!

Its donationware.

HTH

Alan
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alanl

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Message 45459 - Posted: 26 Aug 2012, 23:50:24 UTC

Hummpf

I spoke to soon of curing problem - if both gfxCardStatus.app and BOINC are in Login Options then BOINC does not find local host....

Sorry.

The work around appears to be to not have BOINC in Login Options but open it after login complete. Workable but not pretty!

Alan
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Robster

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Message 45475 - Posted: 29 Aug 2012, 7:29:46 UTC - in response to Message 45457.  

Hi Alan

This is an option I had considered but the built in graphics will not drive an external display, so I cannot permanently set to built in graphics when on battery.

:-(

Robin
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Robster

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Message 45610 - Posted: 10 Sep 2012, 13:29:55 UTC - in response to Message 45475.  

Hi

I was just wondering if there was any progress?

Robin
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Charlie Fenton
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Message 45611 - Posted: 10 Sep 2012, 21:54:47 UTC - in response to Message 45610.  

I was just wondering if there was any progress?

I finally got the loan of a MacBook Pro a few days ago and I'm working on it. I think I have figured out a solution and hope to implement it this week.

Cheers,
--Charlie
Charlie Fenton
BOINC / SETI@home Macintosh & Windows Programmer
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Charlie Fenton
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Message 45626 - Posted: 12 Sep 2012, 10:53:13 UTC - in response to Message 45610.  

Hi Robin,

I was just wondering if there was any progress?

Please download and install this test build of BOINC and let me know if it fixes your problem.

Thanks!

Cheers,
--Charlie
Charlie Fenton
BOINC / SETI@home Macintosh & Windows Programmer
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NCSUCPE

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Message 45722 - Posted: 20 Sep 2012, 19:52:55 UTC - in response to Message 45626.  

Charlie,

Looks like it is working fine for me. Works when plugged in and suspends back to the integrated graphics when unplugged.

John
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roberto_sc

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Message 47176 - Posted: 11 Jan 2013, 12:46:00 UTC - in response to Message 45626.  
Last modified: 11 Jan 2013, 13:00:52 UTC

Charlie,
It seems that it's not working for my MBR. I have the default preferences and Intel HD Graphics is always on (i.e, no GPU computing), even when it's plugged.
Questions:

1 - When discrete GPU is on, how many running processes should I see? 8 or 9?
2 - It says version 7.0.35 (x86); shouldn't be x64?
3 - [off-topic] If I wanted to uninstall BOINC, can I throw it in the trash or I must use the uninstaller?
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Message 47180 - Posted: 11 Jan 2013, 13:24:34 UTC - in response to Message 47176.  
Last modified: 11 Jan 2013, 13:53:56 UTC

To be able to detect the Intel HD Graphics GPU you need BOINC 7.0.42 or better. Download links are in the Change Log thread.

But I think it only works on Windows, (so not for Linux or Macintosh), and even then, there are at present no projects that have an application for it. Planned yes, but none available as of yet.

To uninstall BOINC, use the uninstaller. To completely clear everything BOINC off your machine on Windows, see this BOINC FAQ.
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Charlie Fenton
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Message 47181 - Posted: 11 Jan 2013, 13:44:04 UTC - in response to Message 47176.  

Intel HD Graphics is always on (i.e, no GPU computing), even when it's plugged.

Version 7.0.35 disables support for CUDA applications on BOINC, so only OpenCL project applications will use the discrete (NVIDIA) GPU. (We are waiting for NVIDIA to make a change to their drivers so we can restore CUDA support.)

If you look in the Advanced View Tasks tab, the Status column for tasks which use the GPU will specify "+ 1 NVIDIA GPU". BOINC 7.0.35 and later will cause the Mac to switch to the discrete graphics only when a project application (task) is running which uses the GPU.

1 - When discrete GPU is on, how many running processes should I see? 8 or 9?

The number of processes will be the same whether or not a GPU is in use.

2 - It says version 7.0.35 (x86); shouldn't be x64?

The "x86" in the About dialog covers both i686 and x86_64. If you look at the start of the Event Log, you will see:
Starting BOINC client version 7.0.35 for x86_64-apple-darwin

3 - [off-topic] If I wanted to uninstall BOINC, can I throw it in the trash or I must use the uninstaller?

You should use the uninstaller as it will clean up additional items.
Charlie Fenton
BOINC / SETI@home Macintosh & Windows Programmer
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Message boards : GPUs : BOINC forcing GPU switch even when set to not use GPU????

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