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Scott

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Message 45140 - Posted: 20 Dec 2010, 6:14:50 UTC
Last modified: 20 Dec 2010, 6:16:59 UTC

Please don't spam me, but I'm curious what all the numbers mean. What are 'Work Done', 'Average work', credits, etc? I ask while posting my own info so that someone might help me understand.

Project Wk Done Avg Wk
Enigma@Home | 32,405 | 373
MilkyWay@home | 41,994 | 261
SETI@home | 9,644 | 36
HAL@Home | 14,392 | 20
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Zydor
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Message 45142 - Posted: 20 Dec 2010, 10:23:49 UTC
Last modified: 20 Dec 2010, 10:52:03 UTC

Work Done: The total credits accruded for the Project since "time began". The overall total will increase as you do WUs, they dont have to be contiguous, you can do a few, have a rest/move to another project and come back - whatever - any you do at any time will add to the total. It could be years before you return, and provided the Project is still up you will have the credits there. If the Project has "retired" (stopped working permanently) the stats sites will still have a record of your credits to date. There are circumstances where you would loose the credits after a Project stops working permanently, but its rare - meet that when you come to it.


Average Work Done: This is a nebulous one. It depends how the "average" is calculated. Project RAC (Recent Average Credit) is a bit of a misnomer as it invariably means the credit gained over the last 24 hrs. Most stats sites will use that figure, which is supplied by the Projects, and collected by stats sites - usually every two hours (that can vary). The "average" figure you see under your avatar is uaually calculated as an average ov er the past 60 days - but the time period can vary from project to project. Hence the distinction between "Recent Average Credit" and "Average Credit").


Credits:
Each WU you crunch in a BOINC Project gains "credits". They are calculated by a set reference model against which Projects compare the work done with their own WUs, and they award credits in proportion to the reference model. Having said that ...... Projects are free to award what they like, and some Projects are more known for high credit awards that others. www.boincstats.com is arguably the best stats site, although everyone has their own preference. Look at "my account" in any project and you will find the main ones listed there.

There is always a tug-of-war in terms of credit awards, as a proportion of crunchers will switch to the Project giving the highest credit awards (euphamistically known as "credit hounds"). By in large it tends to find its own level, as clearly if projects continually compete to give the highest award, things quickly get out of control - so most Project Admins do "play the game" and limit credit inflation.

Always be aware of the power of GPU crunching, a GPU will do work anywhere between 10 and 100+ times faster than a CPU, due to the nature of a GPU and how the GPU application is put together. Generally speaking the GPU application is awarded credits comparing against the reference model per second, but there is still the usual lee-way for projects to award what they like.

Credits are the most emotive part of BOINC despite credits being totally worthless in a reality sense - they are only meant to be representative of the work you have done in a relative sense compared to others.

There are many twists and turns to this, the above is only the "starter for ten", so dont hesitate to post other queries.

Its worth reading through the BOINCStats FAQ - some useful stuff there for newcomers : http://boincstats.com/page/faq.php

Teams: I notice you have not yet joined one. Its very worthwhile joining one, as they will help you a lot in getting going, etc. It is also a "base" to return to and have a bit of fun on the team site (the "fun" element varies from team to team, so choose wisely). You can change teams anytime you like, you dont loose your own credits when you do. I personally would say joining a Team is your number 1 Priority right now, it will help enormously to be part of a naturally friendly bunch with a similar aim to you - ie Team Benefit - and provide a wider view of BOINC than a Project Board can (as such).

Regards
Zy
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bertodell

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Message 45144 - Posted: 20 Dec 2010, 12:41:00 UTC - in response to Message 45142.  

Great post
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Scott

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Message 45241 - Posted: 23 Dec 2010, 15:40:16 UTC - in response to Message 45142.  

So with what you've seen, are these numbers acceptable?
Total credit 43,227
Recent average credit 307.12

I appreciate the GPU info; I've had my eye on a nicer video card anyway! ;)

Thanks for the (KIND) data.

Scott
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Profile The Gas Giant
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Message 45245 - Posted: 23 Dec 2010, 19:38:18 UTC
Last modified: 23 Dec 2010, 20:26:14 UTC

You could use an optimised CPU app before you get the new GPU. See the optimised app thread for details.

When you go get yourself a new toy be sure to get a card with double precision as cards with only single precision capability cannot do MW.

The cards that work best at MW are the 58xx and 69xx series of ATI/AMD cards.
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Zydor
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Message 45246 - Posted: 23 Dec 2010, 20:06:14 UTC - in response to Message 45241.  
Last modified: 23 Dec 2010, 20:07:51 UTC

So with what you've seen, are these numbers acceptable?
Total credit 43,227
Recent average credit 307.12 ....


Hard to say as at present no completed WUs are showing in your valid list (they are fairly quickly assimilated by the server to conserve disc space and reduce query times.

One way to check yourself is to click on "Top Participants" on the home page. It will list Crunchers, click on a name and you will see their individual machines, click on "details" to see the processor, and if sim ilar to yours compare times (make sure its a CPU app they crunched else you will get a shock looking at a GPU time until you get used to the difference). Dont be concerned about variations circa 20% or less faster, they may have overclocked the cpu. However if a number show large differences, maybe worth looking at it.

Another easy way is catch a valid as it comes through, and post the medium time asking for comparitors ...... you will drown in them (!) .... you'll find out soon enough :)

Regards
Zy
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Message boards : Number crunching : Can someone help me read these?

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