OFFICIAL CGMINER mining software thread for linux/win/osx/mips/arm/r-pi 4.11.1

[Proofer]

Brief explanation of intensity.  The way OpenCL works is once it starts working it can't stop.  So you give it a job, it starts working and is completely unresponsive until it finishes.  A nonce range is 2^32 hashes so even a 400MH/s GPU would take about 10 seconds.  Most computers would die if the graphics card was unresponsive for 10 seconds so miners calculate hashes in batches.  There is some overhead in setting up a batch so longer batches (higher intensity) are slightly more efficient.  If intensity is too high it can make the system unresponsive because the video card is unavailable while hashing and that can "freak out" the OS.

Interesting!  On all six I changed from dynamic, which was reporting I=3 or 4, mostly 4, to 7, which increased the hash rate by about 14% and power consumption by 7%.   I wonder how much we are losing in order to avoid "freaking out" an OS that is designed to work with spreadsheets, video games, and email.

[Proofer]

Should I even be thinking about overclocking?  This is with spec/stock clocking on my 3x5970s:

Code:

 cgminer version 2.0.7 - Started: [2011-12-23 09:48:21]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (5s):1968.9 (avg):1751.2 Mh/s | Q:3517  A:5930  R:29  HW:0  E:169%  U:24.07/m
 TQ: 11  ST: 13  SS: 1  DW: 182  NB: 20  LW: 13057  GF: 1  RF: 21
 Connected to http://us.eclipsemc.com:8337 with LP as user Redacted_321
 Block: 0000067a09a776bc6493cfd6fe308c8b...  Started: [13:41:44]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 [P]ool management [G]PU management [S]ettings [D]isplay options [Q]uit
 GPU 0: 75.5C 4535RPM | 330.9/289.9Mh/s | A:995 R:6 HW:0 U:4.04/m I:8
 GPU 1: 79.5C | 329.1/292.8Mh/s | A:998 R:1 HW:0 U:4.05/m I:8
 GPU 2: 74.0C 4045RPM | 328.9/292.6Mh/s | A:939 R:8 HW:0 U:3.81/m I:8
 GPU 3: 69.0C | 325.4/292.3Mh/s | A:993 R:4 HW:0 U:4.03/m I:8
 GPU 4: 74.5C 3498RPM | 328.1/292.1Mh/s | A:1004 R:6 HW:0 U:4.08/m I:8
 GPU 5: 78.5C | 327.0/291.9Mh/s | A:1002 R:4 HW:0 U:4.07/m I:8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

GPU 0: 324.2 / 290.0 Mh/s | A:995  R:6  HW:0  U:4.04/m  I:8
[2011-12-23 13:54:54] Pool 0 communication resumed, submitting work
75.5 C  F: 85% (4535 RPM)  E: 725 MHz  M: 1000 Mhz  V: 1.050V  A: 98% P: 0%
Last initialised: [2011-12-23 09:48:25]
Intensity: 8
Thread 0: 176.5 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE
Thread 6: 158.0 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE

GPU 1: 325.4 / 292.9 Mh/s | A:998  R:1  HW:0  U:4.05/m  I:8
79.5 C  E: 725 MHz  M: 1000 Mhz  V: 1.050V  A: 97% P: 0%
Last initialised: [2011-12-23 09:48:26]
Intensity: 8
Thread 1: 164.7 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE
Thread 7: 147.3 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE

GPU 2: 327.7 / 292.7 Mh/s | A:939  R:8  HW:0  U:3.81/m  I:8
74.0 C  F: 69% (4037 RPM)  E: 725 MHz  M: 1000 Mhz  V: 1.050V  A: 97% P: 0%
Last initialised: [2011-12-23 09:48:27]
Intensity: 8
Thread 2: 163.3 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE
Thread 8: 163.1 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE

GPU 3: 328.9 / 292.3 Mh/s | A:993  R:4  HW:0  U:4.03/m  I:8
68.5 C  E: 725 MHz  M: 1000 Mhz  V: 1.050V  A: 97% P: 0%
Last initialised: [2011-12-23 09:48:28]
Intensity: 8
Thread 3: 149.4 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE
Thread 9: 164.7 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE

GPU 4: 326.9 / 292.1 Mh/s | A:1004  R:6  HW:0  U:4.07/m  I:8
74.5 C  F: 56% (3492 RPM)  E: 725 MHz  M: 1000 Mhz  V: 1.050V  A: 97% P: 0%
Last initialised: [2011-12-23 09:48:29]
Intensity: 8
Thread 4: 165.6 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE
Thread 10: 160.2 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE

GPU 5: 323.4 / 291.9 Mh/s | A:1003  R:4  HW:0  U:4.07/m  I:8
78.5 C  E: 725 MHz  M: 1000 Mhz  V: 1.050V  A: 96% P: 0%
Last initialised: [2011-12-23 09:48:30]
Intensity: 8
Thread 5: 146.8 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE
Thread 11: 148.0 Mh/s Enabled ALIVE

I note that the first card, GPUs 0/1, has temps 75-80 with fan 85%.  (BTW, how is the 100% value determined?)

[gnar1ta$]

Should I even be thinking about overclocking?  This is with spec/stock clocking on my 3x5970s:

It's your money...

Code:

GPU 1: 72.0C 3239RPM | 391.7/389.2Mh/s | A:18724 R:87 HW:0 U:5.35/m I:8
GPU 2: 70.5C | 387.0/380.0Mh/s | A:18137 R:86 HW:0 U:5.18/m I:8

I like more Mh/s for more BTC.  Don't forget lowering your mem clock can save on power costs.

[-ck]

I use auto-fan to keep the card temp steady at 70C. I've noticed that cgminer sets the fan high when it starts (for safety?) and then slowly works it down to the speed that maintains temp. I don't like that as it's really noisy for a while. I modified my code here to set the fan to moderate 55% value at start because that's not noisy but high enough that the gpu doesn't start hot, and it's close to what I end up running long term - usually 55-65% depending on how hot a day it is here.

You know that if you specify a single fanspeed and --auto-fan, then it will start at the fanspeed you set already instead of 85% ?

[BkkCoins]

I use auto-fan to keep the card temp steady at 70C. I've noticed that cgminer sets the fan high when it starts (for safety?) and then slowly works it down to the speed that maintains temp. I don't like that as it's really noisy for a while. I modified my code here to set the fan to moderate 55% value at start because that's not noisy but high enough that the gpu doesn't start hot, and it's close to what I end up running long term - usually 55-65% depending on how hot a day it is here.

You know that if you specify a single fanspeed and --auto-fan, then it will start at the fanspeed you set already instead of 85% ?

Nope, had no idea. Ha ha. I'll give that a try! Thx.

Edit: I tried that but the problem with a single value is that it acts as an upper limit. If I set 50% then it starts at 50%, and will drop when cool at first, but after a while of heating up it won't go above 50% and it lets the temp rise beyond the target. It seems to treat a single value the same as 0-50 and uses it as an upper limit.

[DeathAndTaxes]

Should I even be thinking about overclocking?  This is with spec/stock clocking on my 3x5970s:

I note that the first card, GPUs 0/1, has temps 75-80 with fan 85%.  (BTW, how is the 100% value determined?)

0% to 100% is based on the cards max speed so it is card dependent.  Graphics cards control fans via PWM so 85% means 85% of peak current is being supplied to the fan motor.

BEFORE overclocking you need to get that memspeed way down.  Running mem @ full speed consumes a LOT of power and thus a lot of heat.  High memspeed doesn't help hashing it just increases power and heat.I run @ 190 Mhz on memclock.  You may need to experiment to find what results in best temp/speed combo.   Also before overclocking run the system for 24 hours just to ensure it is rock solid.

Then start adjusting clocks for max speed that is stable.  If this is a closed system you need some serious airflow is you are going to overclock.

[Red Emerald]

I got 2.0.9 installed from git.  The api commands are great.  I'll send the bounty soon.

Code:

[user@miner gist-1500780]$ python cgminer-rpc.py summary
summary
{u'STATUS': [{u'STATUS': u'S', u'Msg': u'Summary', u'Code': 11, u'Description': u'cgminer 2.0.9'}], u'id': 1, u'SUMMARY': [{u'Get Failures': 0, u'Getworks': 19, u'Network Blocks': 1, u'Algorithm': u'c', u'Found Blocks': 0, u'Rejected': 0, u'Elapsed': 55, u'Discarded': 0, u'Hardware Errors': 0, u'Stale': 0, u'Accepted': 15, u'Remote Failures': 0, u'MHS av': 1005.95, u'Local Work': 0, u'Utility': 16.460000000000001}]}

[DeathAndTaxes]

Interesting!  On all six I changed from dynamic, which was reporting I=3 or 4, mostly 4, to 7, which increased the hash rate by about 14% and power consumption by 7%.   I wonder how much we are losing in order to avoid "freaking out" an OS that is designed to work with spreadsheets, video games, and email.

The only system I use dynamic on is my workstation.  It has dual monitors hooked to one GPU set to dynamic.  The other 7 GPU all run at I=9.  Best of both worlds.  The GPU used by OS for desktop is always responsive and the other 7 are maxed out.  For the dedicated mining rigs I run nothing but I=9.

[Red Emerald]

Interesting!  On all six I changed from dynamic, which was reporting I=3 or 4, mostly 4, to 7, which increased the hash rate by about 14% and power consumption by 7%.   I wonder how much we are losing in order to avoid "freaking out" an OS that is designed to work with spreadsheets, video games, and email.

The only system I use dynamic on is my workstation.  It has dual monitors hooked to one GPU set to dynamic.  The other 7 GPU all run at I=9.  Best of both worlds.  The GPU used by OS for desktop is always responsive and the other 7 are maxed out.  For the dedicated mining rigs I run nothing but I=9.

I run my dedicated miner at 8,7,8.  The system wasn't as stable with the second GPU on 8 and going to 9 on the other cards didn't affect the hash rate.

[Zenitur]

Linux users! Don't use Catalyst 11.12! I have 360 MHzsh with this in all miners, and 412 with 11.10 and AMD APP SDK 2.5. ATi Radeon 5850.

[ancow]

Linux users! Don't use Catalyst 11.12! I have 360 MHzsh with this in all miners, and 412 with 11.10 and AMD APP SDK 2.5. ATi Radeon 5850.

Yeah, well, 11.10 has the 100% CPU bug, so I'll refrain from using that, thank you very much...

[kano]

11.6 + SDK 2.4 'nuf said.

[BkkCoins]

11.6 + SDK 2.4 'nuf said.

Still the best combo.

[Proofer]

11.6 + SDK 2.4 'nuf said.

Still the best combo.

Is this advice OS-independent -- same for Windows and Linux?

[kano]

11.6 + SDK 2.4 'nuf said.

Still the best combo.

Is this advice OS-independent -- same for Windows and Linux?

Windows? What's that?
That's for Linux - or to be Linux specific, xubuntu 11.04 default drivers (= 11.6) + SDK 2.4

Edit: the fglrx version number is 8.840 (2:8.840-0ubuntu4) which is 11.6

[Proofer]

Is this advice OS-independent -- same for Windows and Linux?

Windows? What's that?

Windows is what I'm trying in order to get one of the two WiFi USB adapters I have working.  Gave up on Ubuntu 11.04 for that, but I'm having problems with Win7 also.  The only time one of them worked (with no driver having to be installed!) was with 10.04.  But I digress...

That's for Linux - or to be Linux specific, xubuntu 11.04 default drivers (= 11.6) + SDK 2.4

Edit: the fglrx version number is 8.840 (2:8.840-0ubuntu4) which is 11.6

Looks to me like 8.840 is about 11.4--

Here's a list I put together last night, mostly from an AMD web site page:

Catalyst 11.11   8.911   11/15/2011

Catalyst 11.10   8.902   10/31/2011

Catalyst 11.9   8.892   9/28/2011

Catalyst 11.8   8.881   8/17/2011

Catalyst 11.7   8.872   7/27/2011

Catalyst 11.6   8.861   6/15/2011

Catalyst 11.5   8.85   5/9/2011

Catalyst 11.4   8.841   4/27/2011

fglrx packages with...
Natty         8.84
Oneiric      8.881

[kano]

Well the driver is Mar 24 2011 - so I guess that means it could be 11.4 ...
Oh well I've never actually found anything to verify that I was told it was 11.6

So if that is correct, then 11.4 and 2.4

Edit: however, the version numbers were different due to different code before 11.7
(I think it was 11.7 where the unified it - though I'm not sure)
So 8.840 could still be the equivalent of 11.6 ...

[ancow]

Edit: however, the version numbers were different due to different code before 11.7
(I think it was 11.7 where the unified it - though I'm not sure)

Somewhat offtopic, but the first driver version I had in debian was "11.6" (due to installing it at that time), so I assume it must have been unified before 11.7.

[Proofer]

...
/usr/local/bin/startcg  (remember to chmod +x)

Code:

#!/bin/bash

export AMDAPPSDKROOT=/home/ubuntu/AMD-APP-SDK-v2.4-lnx32/
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=${AMDAPPSDKROOT}lib/x86:${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}
export DISPLAY=:0

cgminer 2>>/var/log/cgminer.log

...

Tardy on this reply, but... those first two exports puzzle me; I've not seen them before.  How is the equivalent being achieved for those of us who are starting cgminer "manually" post-startup?

[kano]

...
/usr/local/bin/startcg  (remember to chmod +x)

Code:

#!/bin/bash

export AMDAPPSDKROOT=/home/ubuntu/AMD-APP-SDK-v2.4-lnx32/
export LD_LIBRARY_PATH=${AMDAPPSDKROOT}lib/x86:${LD_LIBRARY_PATH}
export DISPLAY=:0

cgminer 2>>/var/log/cgminer.log

...

Tardy on this reply, but... those first two exports puzzle me; I've not seen them before.  How is the equivalent being achieved for those of us who are starting cgminer "manually" post-startup?

If you follow the installation instructions supplied with cgminer by ckolivas or my USB instructions, then they are not needed.
(though it seems it is rather unusual for them to be actually followed correctly and completely ... )
They are only necessary if you haven't put the files where they belong.