CPU vs GPU

[Chasingu]

Hey all you canucks.

Its a bit odd, an American going to be hopefully folding in the next couple months for a Canadian Team, but hey, why not.

I have a question about folding however.

I'm getting a i5 2500K (3.3GHz) processor which I will be overclocking hopefully to 4.2GHz. I am getting a MSI Radeon HD 6870 Twin Frozr II Graphics card. Bare in mind, this machine is built for gaming, and I plan to dedicating the night (and idle time) when I am asleep to fold. So, here's the question, should I use both the CPU and GPU to fold, only the GPU, or only the CPU?

[stoanee]

Yes it is a bit odd but welcome! I would try folding with one, the other, and then both, all the while keeping track of your ppd to see which one nets the best output.

[lowfat]

If it were me I'd do CPU only. AMD videocards just aren't efficient enough when it comes to folding.

[Chasingu]

Originally Posted by lowfat

If it were me I'd do CPU only. AMD videocards just aren't efficient enough when it comes to folding.

I've been hearing that too. Alrighty, so will a 4.2 GHz overclock on a Quad-core i5 2500K be decent for Folding?

[3.0charlie]

Yes, it will output some nice SMP numbers. 4.2 should not be a problem to reach, pending the CPU's cooling performance. My ex-2500k managed 4.7 (under load) with a Noctua HSF.

[Chasingu]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

Yes, it will output some nice SMP numbers. 4.2 should not be a problem to reach, pending the CPU's cooling performance. My ex-2500k managed 4.7 (under load) with a Noctua HSF.

Im planning on using the Noctua NH-D14 CPU cooler.

[Arinoth]

Originally Posted by lowfat

If it were me I'd do CPU only. AMD videocards just aren't efficient enough when it comes to folding.

Or really yield that much ppd compared to cpu or nvidia gpu folding

[LoTech]

I think I would go nvidia myself if I wanted to fold on both. Say a gtx 570, here in the great white north they can be had for about 310$ cdn. Also a big welcome as well!

[3.0charlie]

Originally Posted by Chasingu

Im planning on using the Noctua NH-D14 CPU cooler.

Perfect choice.

[Chasingu]

Well, after consolting with a few members on this site, I have gone for a EVGA GeForce® GTX 560 Ti FPB Graphics Card because their recomendations and my budget allows the upgrade just enough so that I am not over budget, and if I read this thread correctly, when I fold at night I can also add this one too.