Sometimes my computer uses one and sometimes two gpu's. I have a hd 7770 and a r7 265. What would cause this?

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In the beginning, boinc was using 2 gpu's but now it will only run with the r7 265.

In the beginning, boinc was using 2 gpu's but now it will only run with the r7 265.

I just checked one of your valid units and saw this in the log:
Found 2 CL devices
Device 'Pitcairn' (Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.:0x1002) (CL_DEVICE_TYPE_GPU)

Isn't the Pitcairn gpu the 7850/7870 gpu?

On question for you, do you have a cc_config.xml file yet? If not you might try adding one, thru Windows Notepad, with these lines in it:

<cc_config>
<options>
<use_all_gpus>1</use_all_gpus>
<skip_cpu_benchmarks>1</skip_cpu_benchmarks>
</options>
</cc_config>

Just copy and paste those lines into Notepad, NOT another word processing program as it will NOT work, then saving the file as"cc_config.xml", without the quotes of course. When you save it save it as a 'txt type file', Windows will complain saying it is not a standard 'txt type file but say okay do it anyway. Save the file to the 'c:\program data\boinc' directory. The stop Boinc and restart it and both gpu's should be start crunching again.

The file does 2 things, first it tells your pc to use every gpu it finds, not just the one hooked up to your monitor, in some cases Windows 'saves' resources by shutting down unneeded things. Windows thinks that since you don't have a monitor hooked up to your 2nd gpu you won't need it, so can shut down that gpu.

Secondly the file tells Boinc to NOT do the weekly benchmarks which can on some projects cause problems with the gpu not resuming the unit it was working on after the benchmarking process is over. You can take out this line if you want to, I leave it in just because I crunch for multiple projects, I do not remember if MilkyWay needs it or not.

I tried it but it didn't work. Originally I just had cc_config with just the all_gpus... but I changed it to your version but it still didn't work.

The 7850/7870 is the one I call my r7 265 and it is the one that is running and is faster than my 7770 which is not running but it was running initially for a few wu's. Or so it seemed. I haven't tried to check the results to confirm this that they actually completed but my MSI Afterburner and SIV64 showed at the time that the 7770 was running.

They both run when I do seti work.

I run a stock boinc - the latest stable version.

--edit

Every once in a while, I'll see a spike up on my graph for the 7770. But nothing show's up on the boinc mgr.

mikey,
I had to shut that computer down. It will be back up in the am. if you need to test anything. Thanks.

mikey,
I had to shut that computer down. It will be back up in the am. if you need to test anything. Thanks.

Go here: http://www.guru3d.com/files-details/gpu-z-download-techpowerup.html

and download gpu-z 0.7.9, the latest version and after installing it click thru the two gpu's in a box at the bottom of the screen that comes up, and see if either is being used. I have this program on all of my pc's and it tells me not only if the gpu's are being used but the temps and fan speeds. You cannot make any changes using gpu-z, just look at what is going on, it is very basic. To see the data click on the tabs at the top.

I already have it on my computer. Whenever I have looked at it (occasionally) it shows the 7770 at 0% usage.

--edit
I have it open to that tab and will keep an eye on it throughout the day.
Thanks

--edit2
I just set up the log file so I don't have to go blind starring at the screen.

--edit3

I just read the prior thread about the amd's are for gaming and ignore parts of the programming that crunchers use. I am in the beginning of putting together a new rig. It sounds like it's time to switch to Nividia. Any comment?

mickey,
I added 3 edits to my prior post.
Thanks again,

mikey,
Looks like maybe you got it.
Super. Boy, it must be murder putting these cards in one at a time.

Tremendous thanks,

I just read the prior thread about the amd's are for gaming and ignore parts of the programming that crunchers use. I am in the beginning of putting together a new rig. It sounds like it's time to switch to Nividia. Any comment?

nVidia cards are more versatile as projects who supports GPU, work on nVidia but not always on AMD. However it depends on the project you will do. Here at MilkyWay double precision is necessary and then AMD is a lot faster then nVidia.
Updting drivers with nVidia is far more easy then with AMD, but others will say the opposite. In my experience AMD does not clear all of the old stuff and to remove everything manually takes a lot lof time and effort.

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Greetings from,
TJ

Thanks TJ,
things to think about.

I guess that's why someone told me to use Display Driver Uninstaller before reinstalling my amd driver.
Well, MW, seti, and collatz use amd quite well and Einstein is working on a win 64bit version, so maybe I stick with amd.

But from what I've heard 'they' are really trying to squash using gaming cards for crunching. Then we're screwed.

--edit3

I just read the prior thread about the amd's are for gaming and ignore parts of the programming that crunchers use. I am in the beginning of putting together a new rig. It sounds like it's time to switch to Nividia. Any comment?

Nvidia also have the problem of when you two of them in the same machine in some instances they refuse to both get work when crunching for the same project. Since tat is NOT a project specific thing it is often best to put one of each in the same machine, rather than two Nvidia's. HOWEVER some people have NO problems having dual, or even more, Nvidia gpu's in their machines. Since I too started with AMD cards and have now started crunching for projects where an Nvidia card is better, I try to put one of each in the machines that can take them.

AMD is NOT squashing crunching they are just tweaking their cards to better reflect their buyers, and that means gamers over crunchers. If you buy one of the newer R series cards yes a part we crunchers use is disabled, but a simple software driver makes the card crunch again just fine. As Boinc moves forward more and more projects will make their apps work around the disabled part and it won't be a problem for long. Some projects are at the pointy end of that now, some are waiting and watching to see how others do it.

I am glad you got it working!!!!

Thanks for the info Mikey.
I have a problem though this morning; the 7770 refuses to start up again.

I have no issues with 2 nVidia GPU's in one rig and also one nVidia and one AMD in the same rig works perfect together.

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Greetings from,
TJ

Thanks for the info Mikey.
I have a problem though this morning; the 7770 refuses to start up again.

How many watts is your power supply? If you have a 2nd monitor plug it into the 7770 when Windows starts up and see if that helps, you can remove it after Windows is up and running. They make monitor extension cables.

I have no issues with 2 nVidia GPU's in one rig and also one nVidia and one AMD in the same rig works perfect together.

That's why I said "in some instances", some people have no problems others have lots of them. The Boinc Developers have been looking for some kind of pattern for a long time. I am glad your setup works for you.

Thanks for the info Mikey.
I have a problem though this morning; the 7770 refuses to start up again.

How many watts is your power supply? If you have a 2nd monitor plug it into the 7770 when Windows starts up and see if that helps, you can remove it after Windows is up and running. They make monitor extension cables.

Could this b a time where a dummy plug might help?

Thanks for the info Mikey.
I have a problem though this morning; the 7770 refuses to start up again.

How many watts is your power supply? If you have a 2nd monitor plug it into the 7770 when Windows starts up and see if that helps, you can remove it after Windows is up and running. They make monitor extension cables.

Could this b a time where a dummy plug might help?

Absolutely, and that was the next step, if the 2nd monitor works that is the key that a 'dummy plug' is needed.