[XPM] [ANN] Primecoin High Performance | HP14 released!

[mikaelh]

EDIT: We are also seeing a slight increase in speed(chainsperday). Should we leave new sieve options default or is it ok to use modified options that worked well in previous version ?

The defaults should still be pretty good. I did get rid of -sievepercentage in favor of -sievefilterprimes. -sievefilterprimes is used to specify the exact number of primes that will be filtered out by the sieve (instead of some percentage of a number that depends on -sievesize). The default is 7849 based on the old defaults.

There's also two new parameters you can try:

 * -l1cachesize determines the sieve segment size (in bytes). This should be the size of the L1 or L2 cache (or some other number close to them). The default value is 28000. This value has a minor impact on mining performance.

 * -primorial determines the primorial that is used as a multiplier in all candidate numbers. This should a small prime number such as 47 or 53. Use the parameters -debug -printprimorial to see which primorials are used by default. This value has a minor impact on mining performance.

The rest of the documentation is here:
https://github.com/mikaelh2/primecoin/blob/master/doc/README.md

Make sure new official build is difficulty 11 ready, at the current rate we will be hitting 11 diff. early Feb.

HP11 should already work just fine with difficulty 11. And I doubt we'll be hitting difficulty 11 that soon because it would require 30 times more mining power.

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[Supercomputing]

Has anyone compiled the latest git version for windows 64 ?

I have (obviously) but I'm not quite ready to make a release yet. I've been working on some other improvements that I want to get done before I make a release. I pushed a whole bunch of commits to github if someone wants to have a look.

Please compile the current beta version for windows x86.

current algorithms uses 64bit capablity to accelerate mining. x86 is so slow you mighy as well use old miners that came with x86 binaries.

Hmmm, a modern day x86 CPU is capable of executing 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit instructions.

[mikaelh]

Here's an updated formula for calculating blocks/day:

blocks/day = chains/day * (0.97 * (1 - fracDiff) + 0.03)

Here fracDiff is the fractional part of the difficulty, i.e. fracDiff = diff - floor(diff).

This is simply assuming that it's a 0.03 probability for the (k+1)'th number being prime in a chain. These result in longer chains which are not subject to the fractional difficulty. This number was produced by the function EstimateNormalPrimeProbability() in my latest code. It's a bit smaller than my previous estimate of 0.035 being the probability.

[AnhBen]

Here's an updated formula for calculating blocks/day:

blocks/day = chains/day * (0.97 * (1 - fracDiff) + 0.03)

Here fracDiff is the fractional part of the difficulty, i.e. fracDiff = diff - floor(diff).

This is simply assuming that it's a 0.03 probability for the (k+1)'th number being prime in a chain. These result in longer chains which are not subject to the fractional difficulty. This number was produced by the function EstimateNormalPrimeProbability() in my latest code. It's a bit smaller than my previous estimate of 0.035 being the probability.

Can you add this to the next release so that we all can at least see it when running getmininginfo/getinfo?

[donschoe]

Here's an updated formula for calculating blocks/day:

blocks/day = chains/day * (0.97 * (1 - fracDiff) + 0.03)

Here fracDiff is the fractional part of the difficulty, i.e. fracDiff = diff - floor(diff).

This is simply assuming that it's a 0.03 probability for the (k+1)'th number being prime in a chain. These result in longer chains which are not subject to the fractional difficulty. This number was produced by the function EstimateNormalPrimeProbability() in my latest code. It's a bit smaller than my previous estimate of 0.035 being the probability.

Good one. I will add this to my bot, thanks!

[Rasetsu]

Hey guys I'm trying to solomine xpm for the first time. And after I launch qt I've got my CPU running at 100% BUT getmininginfo shows primespersec is 0. My CPU - Core i7 2600K overclocked. How can I ensure that I'm mining?

{
"blocks" : 353416,
"chainspermin" : 0,
"chainsperday" : 0.00000000,
"currentblocksize" : 1906,
"currentblocktx" : 4,
"difficulty" : 10.32599312,
"errors" : "",
"generate" : true,
"genproclimit" : 7,
"primespersec" : 0,
"pooledtx" : 4,
"sieveextensions" : 9,
"sievepercentage" : 10,
"sievesize" : 1000000,
"testnet" : false
}

Solved

[Trillium]

Hey guys I'm trying to solomine xpm for the first time. And after I launch qt I've got my CPU running at 100% BUT getmininginfo shows primespersec is 0. My CPU - Core i7 2600K overclocked. How can I ensure that I'm mining?

{
"blocks" : 353416,
"chainspermin" : 0,
"chainsperday" : 0.00000000,
"currentblocksize" : 1906,
"currentblocktx" : 4,
"difficulty" : 10.32599312,
"errors" : "",
"generate" : true,
"genproclimit" : 7,
"primespersec" : 0,
"pooledtx" : 4,
"sieveextensions" : 9,
"sievepercentage" : 10,
"sievesize" : 1000000,
"testnet" : false
}

Solved

You can use genproclimit 8 and set the priority to low. You can do this via shortcut path or by batch file. There is no need to leave a dedicated free thread.

[mikaelh]

Can you add this to the next release so that we all can at least see it when running getmininginfo/getinfo?

The latest code already shows blocks/day when running getmininginfo.

On another note, I pushed more fixes to Github. I think I finally fixed the CCheckQueueControl assertion errors with this commit:
https://github.com/mikaelh2/primecoin/commit/e1784f808908e5ac5c17125091ab3666e8e8c591

[AnhBen]

Can you add this to the next release so that we all can at least see it when running getmininginfo/getinfo?

The latest code already shows blocks/day when running getmininginfo.

On another note, I pushed more fixes to Github. I think I finally fixed the CCheckQueueControl assertion errors with this commit:
https://github.com/mikaelh2/primecoin/commit/e1784f808908e5ac5c17125091ab3666e8e8c591

Thx, see it now with the latest compile! (Updated: looks like the performance is increased once again with the latest build)

BTW, any testing or performance on the latest Apple 12-core Mac Pro?

[primer-]

Can you add this to the next release so that we all can at least see it when running getmininginfo/getinfo?

The latest code already shows blocks/day when running getmininginfo.

On another note, I pushed more fixes to Github. I think I finally fixed the CCheckQueueControl assertion errors with this commit:
https://github.com/mikaelh2/primecoin/commit/e1784f808908e5ac5c17125091ab3666e8e8c591

Official Windows binaries coming anytime soon ?

[mikaelh]

Official Windows binaries coming anytime soon ?

They are coming out when I'm done with testing and I'm fairly confident there are no more bugs lurking around. Or in other words, when it's ready™.

[AnhBen]

I think the best way to support the developers is if he can post referral links to VPS that's recommended to solo mining with this HP. I would certainly sign up with more than 10 instances on the ones that are good to mine on a couple of different hosts.

BTW, I got this error msg when compiling the latest checked-out git on RH 6.5:

g++ -c -O2 -pthread -Wall -Wextra -Wformat -Wformat-security -Wno-unused-parameter -g -DBOOST_SPIRIT_THREADSAFE -D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64 -I/root/primecoin/src -I/root/primecoin/src/obj -I/usr/local/include -DUSE_UPNP=0 -DUSE_IPV6=1 -I/root/primecoin/src/leveldb/include -I/root/primecoin/src/leveldb/helpers -DHAVE_BUILD_INFO -fno-stack-protector -fstack-protector-all -Wstack-protector -D_FORTIFY_SOURCE=2  -MMD -MF obj/main.d -o obj/main.o main.cpp
In file included from main.cpp:16:
prime.h:13:33: warning: boost/timer/timer.hpp: No such file or directory
In file included from main.cpp:16:
prime.h:51: error: ‘boost::timer’ has not been declared
prime.h:51: error: expected initializer before ‘minerTimer’
main.cpp: In function ‘void BitcoinMiner(CWallet*)’:
main.cpp:4635: error: ‘minerTimer’ was not declared in this scope
main.cpp:4645: error: ‘boost::chrono’ has not been declared
main.cpp:4645: error: expected ‘;’ before ‘time_now’
main.cpp:4646: error: ‘boost::chrono’ has not been declared
main.cpp:4646: error: expected ‘;’ before ‘ns_now’
main.cpp:4647: error: ‘ns_now’ was not declared in this scope
make: *** [obj/main.o] Error 1

Not sure what's wrong if I'm missing something?

[manawenuz]

I think the best way to support the developers is if he can post referral links to VPS that's recommended to solo mining with this HP. I would certainly sign up with more than 10 instances on the ones that are good to mine on a couple of different hosts.

BTW, I got this error msg when compiling the latest checked-out git on RH 6.5:

g++ -c -O2 -pthread -Wall -Wextra -Wformat -Wformat-security -Wno-unused-parameter -g -DBOOST_SPIRIT_THREADSAFE -D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64 -I/root/primecoin/src -I/root/primecoin/src/obj -I/usr/local/include -DUSE_UPNP=0 -DUSE_IPV6=1 -I/root/primecoin/src/leveldb/include -I/root/primecoin/src/leveldb/helpers -DHAVE_BUILD_INFO -fno-stack-protector -fstack-protector-all -Wstack-protector -D_FORTIFY_SOURCE=2  -MMD -MF obj/main.d -o obj/main.o main.cpp
In file included from main.cpp:16:
prime.h:13:33: warning: boost/timer/timer.hpp: No such file or directory
In file included from main.cpp:16:
prime.h:51: error: ‘boost::timer’ has not been declared
prime.h:51: error: expected initializer before ‘minerTimer’
main.cpp: In function ‘void BitcoinMiner(CWallet*)’:
main.cpp:4635: error: ‘minerTimer’ was not declared in this scope
main.cpp:4645: error: ‘boost::chrono’ has not been declared
main.cpp:4645: error: expected ‘;’ before ‘time_now’
main.cpp:4646: error: ‘boost::chrono’ has not been declared
main.cpp:4646: error: expected ‘;’ before ‘ns_now’
main.cpp:4647: error: ‘ns_now’ was not declared in this scope
make: *** [obj/main.o] Error 1

Not sure what's wrong if I'm missing something?

dear AnhBen , Just browse around this thread you'll find your answer , the problem is that you need to use a newer version of libboost , the one RH6 provides is pretty old .
you'd better compile boost yourself.

[pyykkikone]

Hello,

Sorry. I know these questions have got to be asked quite numerous times already, but after quick search I wasn't able to find clear answers.

I solomined with my 2500k for a few weeks back in early december 2013 (or something like that) when the difficulty was below 10. Client is v0.1.2.0xpm-hp11-unk-beta

getmininginfo gave a good number for PPS etc. However I never got any XPM to my wallet.

- Is there something I could possibly have done wrong or did I just have a very very bad luck?
- Was all my work in vain?

[Trillium]

Hello,

Sorry. I know these questions have got to be asked quite numerous times already, but after quick search I wasn't able to find clear answers.

I solomined with my 2500k for a few weeks back in early december 2013 (or something like that) when the difficulty was below 10. Client is v0.1.2.0xpm-hp11-unk-beta

getmininginfo gave a good number for PPS etc. However I never got any XPM to my wallet.

- Is there something I could possibly have done wrong or did I just have a very very bad luck?
- Was all my work in vain?

Assuming that you checked it was mining: CPU was at 100% load, and getting some results from getmininginfo (eg. it gave you a chainsperday value other than 0), then no, you did nothing wrong. Even back in those days it would've still taken you many days or even weeks to find a block. You should consider pool mining (especially now >10 diff) if you do not like waiting so long for a payout.

Before reaching 10 diff I had a i5 laptop (modified for better cooling) mine for over 40 days without finding a block. Its was roughly half as fast as yours. So its not unlikely that you could mine for up to a month without finding a block: more if you are unlucky. And that was before 10 diff...

[pyykkikone]

Thank you! Feeling better now All 4 cores were @ 100% etc. but I thought payouts were more frequent then. "Glad" to hear I was wrong.

Yeah, I'm mining a lot of coins in pools. A little off topic but is there any other scientifically useful coin than primecoin?

[Trillium]

Yeah, I'm mining a lot of coins in pools. A little off topic but is there any other scientifically useful coin than primecoin?

None released that I'm aware of.

[mikaelh]

I think the best way to support the developers is if he can post referral links to VPS that's recommended to solo mining with this HP. I would certainly sign up with more than 10 instances on the ones that are good to mine on a couple of different hosts.

Well, more support is always welcome. However, I see two problems with advertising VPS mining:
1) The AUP of many providers forbids mining. For example, Linode pretty clearly states that you're not allowed to use excessive CPU resources. So if you try mining there, they may terminate your account at any time citing violation of AUP.
2) VPS mining isn't always profitable. Many VPS providers are actually quite expensive, which means that you'll only be able to profit when XPM prices are high.

As far as I know, Amazon and DigitalOcean are the only big providers that allow mining. And for what it's worth, here's my referral link for DigitalOcean:
https://www.digitalocean.com/?refcode=a285e54b94da

The cheapest droplet costs $5/month and mines at about 0.01 chains/day. At current difficulty, that's about 0.006 blocks/day. So in a month you could earn (in theory):
0.006 blocks/day * 30 days/month * 9.2 XPM/block * 3.20 USD/XPM = 5.30 USD/month

So VPS mining at DigitalOcean should still be profitable (in theory). Note that if you are solo mining, then the expected time to block is 166 days. With 100 droplets, the time will be 1.66 days. So solo mining only makes sense if you have lots of droplets. If you don't like waiting for blocks, check out beeeeer.org for pooled mining.

I haven't done the math for Amazon's EC2 recently but I'd expect it to not be profitable. Even the spot prices are usually too high.

Also my BTC, LTC, PPC and XPM donation addresses are in my signature below.

[AnhBen]

I think the best way to support the developers is if he can post referral links to VPS that's recommended to solo mining with this HP. I would certainly sign up with more than 10 instances on the ones that are good to mine on a couple of different hosts.

BTW, I got this error msg when compiling the latest checked-out git on RH 6.5:

g++ -c -O2 -pthread -Wall -Wextra -Wformat -Wformat-security -Wno-unused-parameter -g -DBOOST_SPIRIT_THREADSAFE -D_FILE_OFFSET_BITS=64 -I/root/primecoin/src -I/root/primecoin/src/obj -I/usr/local/include -DUSE_UPNP=0 -DUSE_IPV6=1 -I/root/primecoin/src/leveldb/include -I/root/primecoin/src/leveldb/helpers -DHAVE_BUILD_INFO -fno-stack-protector -fstack-protector-all -Wstack-protector -D_FORTIFY_SOURCE=2  -MMD -MF obj/main.d -o obj/main.o main.cpp
In file included from main.cpp:16:
prime.h:13:33: warning: boost/timer/timer.hpp: No such file or directory
In file included from main.cpp:16:
prime.h:51: error: ‘boost::timer’ has not been declared
prime.h:51: error: expected initializer before ‘minerTimer’
main.cpp: In function ‘void BitcoinMiner(CWallet*)’:
main.cpp:4635: error: ‘minerTimer’ was not declared in this scope
main.cpp:4645: error: ‘boost::chrono’ has not been declared
main.cpp:4645: error: expected ‘;’ before ‘time_now’
main.cpp:4646: error: ‘boost::chrono’ has not been declared
main.cpp:4646: error: expected ‘;’ before ‘ns_now’
main.cpp:4647: error: ‘ns_now’ was not declared in this scope
make: *** [obj/main.o] Error 1

Not sure what's wrong if I'm missing something?

dear AnhBen , Just browse around this thread you'll find your answer , the problem is that you need to use a newer version of libboost , the one RH6 provides is pretty old .
you'd better compile boost yourself.

Thx alot! Hope I'm browsing and find a solution here.

UPDATED: Still can't find a solution after downloading http://cygwin.win6.jp/sources.redhat.com/pub/cygwin/x86_64/release/boost/libboost-devel/

[OnkelPaul]

Yeah, I'm mining a lot of coins in pools. A little off topic but is there any other scientifically useful coin than primecoin?

None released that I'm aware of.

There are two approaches trying to link crypto coins and scientific computing. Both rely on BOINC grid computing, and the link between scientific computing and crypto currency rewards is indirect and not very robust in my opinion. On the other hand, BOINC projects typically support actual scientific research such as searches for cancer markers or active agents against HIV.
- computingforgood.org distributes XRP for world community grid results (this depends on Ripple Labs' continued sponsoring of the project through XRP giveaways)
- gridcoin (http://gridcoin.us) makes mining rewards dependent on grid computing activities (AFAIU, this depends on a client that observes your computer's activity to see whether you're really doing BOINC work. I suspect that this can be hacked with moderate effort)

Onkel Paul

Disclosure: I participate in the computingforgood.org effort, the returns are small, but as most of the work is done when my computer is on anyway but would be otherwise idle, it's essentially for free.