Stanford University release Folding@Home client for R6-family ATI GPUs
Friday 11th April 2008, 01:35:00 AM, written by Rys
Stanford University, with assistance from AMD, have released a version of the Folding@Home client application for discrete R6-family ATI GPUs, from R600 all the way to RV670.
The Pande Group, headed by Stanford's Vijay Pande, have worked hard to release an open beta test of the client, which they call FAH GPU2. FAH GPU2 can run the same codes as the PS3 client now, therefore performing the same computation on the same biomolecules that Cell can, increasing the amount of science that can be accelerated using the GPU. Indeed, FAH GPU2 is actually more capable than the PS3 client in that respect (although the extra simulation is likely to be made available to the PS3 client soon).
One of the major reasons for that is the switch to the CAL backend for Brook, which allows for a different class of computation using the GPU, compared to DirectX. The use of CAL also lets the driver play less of a part in performance and regression-related issues.
Windows-only at the moment (including Vista and 64-bit for both it and XP), the client and FAQ can be accessed at the Folding Forum. Find a link below. Thanks to Mike Houston of the AMD GPG for the tip, and the comments thread on the B3D forums is the existing client preview thread.
http://foldingforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2020
The Pande Group, headed by Stanford's Vijay Pande, have worked hard to release an open beta test of the client, which they call FAH GPU2. FAH GPU2 can run the same codes as the PS3 client now, therefore performing the same computation on the same biomolecules that Cell can, increasing the amount of science that can be accelerated using the GPU. Indeed, FAH GPU2 is actually more capable than the PS3 client in that respect (although the extra simulation is likely to be made available to the PS3 client soon).
One of the major reasons for that is the switch to the CAL backend for Brook, which allows for a different class of computation using the GPU, compared to DirectX. The use of CAL also lets the driver play less of a part in performance and regression-related issues.
Windows-only at the moment (including Vista and 64-bit for both it and XP), the client and FAQ can be accessed at the Folding Forum. Find a link below. Thanks to Mike Houston of the AMD GPG for the tip, and the comments thread on the B3D forums is the existing client preview thread.
http://foldingforum.org/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2020
Tagging
amd ± folding@home, gpg, cal, brook, biomolecular, science
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