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Update: Folding@home hits one million users

5 February 2008 15:21 by Andre "DVDBack23" Yoskowitz | 30 comments

Less than a year since its release, Sony has announced that one million Sony PlayStation 3 users have taken part in the Folding@home technology, making the console the leading contributor to the effort.

According to Sony, that means 3000 PS3 users registered for Folding@home each day, equivalent of 2 new registered users every minute.

"Since partnering with SCEI, we have seen our research capabilities increase by leaps and bounds through the continued participation of Folding@home users," said Vijay Pande, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University and Folding@home project lead. "Now we have over one million PS3 users registered for Folding@home, allowing us to address questions previously considered impossible to tackle computationally, with the goal of finding cures to some of the world's most life-threatening diseases. We are grateful for the extraordinary worldwide participation by PS3 and PC users around the globe."

The Folding@home team has stated that a network of 10,000 PS3s can "accomplish the same amount of work as a network of 100,000 PCs." The team also noted that merely six months after PS3 joined the effort, the project surpassed a petflop, a milestone that had never been hit before by a computing network. Late last year, Guinness World Records called the project the world's most powerful distributed computing network.

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Permalink to this article | Topic: Consoles

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DXR88 (Member) 5 February 2008 19:13
Your particepating because. you dont have a choice it was forced on us playstation 3 users. Folding@home is a good cause dont get me wrong but sometimes i think not cureing something is better . like depresion it happens but they say oh thats a serious matter heres some pills that wont help you. or ADHD & ADD its stupid accronims. i attempted to sign up for the military guess what you have ADHD no we wont have you. almost get a job thats up there on the, we need full attention scale manegement position. guess what we dont think you can handle the job because you have an attention disorder. these things did not exist 40 years ago why now, nobody knows. in any case i like folding@home a very good put to gether program. i run it on my computer every chance i get. [ + quote]
drach (Newbie) 5 February 2008 19:16
*Quote:* The Folding@home team has stated that a network of 10,000 PS3s can "accomplish the same amount of work as a network of 100,000 PCs." wow, so that means they have the computing power of 10,000,000 PCs helping them out... all from a game console. that is pretty impressive. [ + quote]
DXR88 (Member) 5 February 2008 19:31
Its due to the cell proccesor's design there are no more pipeline constraints in a cell proccesor, and a virtualy impossiable floating point. because these constraints no longer exist it hard to program for. [ + quote]
burnin1 (Member) 5 February 2008 21:06
Im glad its going for cause. Sounds like it will be in Guinness World Record book before long after surpassing a petflop! Thats awesome! [ + quote]
21Q (Senior Member) 5 February 2008 22:06
I have installed on the three of my computers that are on my network. Its a great organization and I can sleep better knowing that my computer is doing something at night besides downloading stuff. Everyone here should install it. [ + quote]
mebjolz (Junior Member) 6 February 2008 1:13
*Originally posted by DXR88:* Your particepating because. you dont have a choice it was forced on us playstation 3 users. actually, that is incorrect. Whilst Folding@HOME is pre-installed on the PS3 prior to purchase and cannot be deleted, you are not forced to participate in the project at all. To do so requires an application download first anyway, so at NO time is anyone forced into participating against their own choice...you just cant delete the inactive icon either. [ + quote]
SDF_GR (Member) 6 February 2008 6:19
*Originally posted by DXR88:* Your particepating because. you dont have a choice it was forced on us playstation 3 users. Thats wrong, when i bought my PS3 last year, Folding@home wasn't pre-installed, i made the choice to download it and install it, i chose when to run it and i can delete it at any time. No one forced me. Do you even own a PS3? [ + quote]
varnull (Senior Member) 6 February 2008 6:28
probably not.. though he does post in the style of a console basher.. aD used to have a folding@home or seti group.. It may be worth trying to find if any still remain, or start a new one. Pool units, get higher scores. Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work.... Commercial "pay for" software = made by software developers who want paying... see where I'm going with this? [ + quote]
7thsinger (Senior Member) 6 February 2008 9:01
It's good to see a direct link between a gaming console, pc's, and a good cause. [ + quote]
mebjolz (Junior Member) 6 February 2008 9:59
*Quote:* *Originally posted by DXR88:* Your particepating because. you dont have a choice it was forced on us playstation 3 users. Thats wrong, when i bought my PS3 last year, Folding@home wasn't pre-installed, i made the choice to download it and install it, i chose when to run it and i can delete it at any time. No one forced me. Do you even own a PS3? yes I do own a PS3, a PAL 6o gb which I bought the day the console was released. In the XMB under Network there is an white, square shaped icon for Folding@HOME which has been there for as long as I can remember (I'm pretty sure it was on there when I bought it unless it was part of a later firmware update), when I press the X button on it I am told that participating in the Folding@HOME project (to use this feature it says on screen) requires the download of application data, when I press triangle no options are displayed which means I cannot delete it. The ICON is pre-installed and if pressing triangle does not bring any options on screen, how is it then deleted without downloading the application and as you stated, deleting that. [ + quote]
mebjolz (Junior Member) 6 February 2008 10:04
*Originally posted by varnull:* probably not.. though he does post in the style of a console basher.. aD used to have a folding@home or seti group.. It may be worth trying to find if any still remain, or start a new one. Pool units, get higher scores. since when did using correct grammar and being capable of spelling correctly indicate the style of a console basher...what is the style of a console basher in your obviously expert opinion?...FOOL [ + quote]
MrXenu (Newbie) 6 February 2008 11:55
Congratulations, whilst running your ps3's with massive power consumption you are making golbal warming a greater problem, it is a lot cheaper to run a pc then it is to run a ps3, and thats a fact! Also where do they get these figures for 1ps3 = 10pc's I have a 1 year old gaming pc, which cost �1,500 and it is still faster than a ps3, more graphics, dual core @3.2Ghz 4gb RAM @833MHz So, i rele do not see how a ps3 is faster than my pc let alone 10 of my pc's. Yes the cell processor is good, but a ps3 v a top range pc, a pc will always win, and will cost a lot less to run power wise! Anyway back to the amount of power used to run ur ps3, persoanlly whats the point of creating cures if we are making global warming occuring quikcer, just means we are screwing up our planet, so some big coorperation to buy the patent to make a cure, which they will sell for millions. Persoanlly if you want to help, donate money and let them run pc's instead of making global warmign occur quicker. Before you all flame me for this, stop and actaully think, every major government recognises GLOBAL WARMING, so this is a valid point and not consol bashing! [ + quote]
DVDBack23 (Staff Member) 6 February 2008 12:09
*Quote:* Also where do they get these figures for 1ps3 = 10pc's I have a 1 year old gaming pc, which cost �1,500 and it is still faster than a ps3, more graphics, dual core @3.2Ghz 4gb RAM @833MHz So, i rele do not see how a ps3 is faster than my pc let alone 10 of my pc's. Thats just simply not true I'm sorry. As for the post above that one, Jan, DO NOT respond, let it rest. [ + quote]
varnull (Senior Member) 6 February 2008 12:25
So are you going to deal with it? I was responding to the other discussion DX what's his name. http://forums.afterdawn.com/thread_view.cfm/616232#3722396 skills and know how ;) Free open source software = made by end users who want an application to work.... Commercial "pay for" software = made by software developers who want paying... see where I'm going with this? [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6 February 2008 12:34
NexGen76 (Member) 6 February 2008 13:20
*Quote:* *Quote:* *Originally posted by DXR88:* Your particepating because. you dont have a choice it was forced on us playstation 3 users. Thats wrong, when i bought my PS3 last year, Folding@home wasn't pre-installed, i made the choice to download it and install it, i chose when to run it and i can delete it at any time. No one forced me. Do you even own a PS3? yes I do own a PS3, a PAL 6o gb which I bought the day the console was released. In the XMB under Network there is an white, square shaped icon for Folding@HOME which has been there for as long as I can remember (I'm pretty sure it was on there when I bought it unless it was part of a later firmware update), when I press the X button on it I am told that participating in the Folding@HOME project (to use this feature it says on screen) requires the download of application data, when I press triangle no options are displayed which means I cannot delete it. The ICON is pre-installed and if pressing triangle does not bring any options on screen, how is it then deleted without downloading the application and as you stated, deleting that. Its depend on what firmware you have.Some PS3 come with Folding@HOME.But to say your forced is a stretch,who said you got to use Folding@HOME.So your both right & not wrong but the force issue i don't agree with. [ + quote]
MrXenu (Newbie) 6 February 2008 17:57
*Quote:* *Quote:* Also where do they get these figures for 1ps3 = 10pc's I have a 1 year old gaming pc, which cost �1,500 and it is still faster than a ps3, more graphics, dual core @3.2Ghz 4gb RAM @833MHz So, i rele do not see how a ps3 is faster than my pc let alone 10 of my pc's. Thats just simply not true I'm sorry. I'm sorry to disappoint you but it is, its a thing called over clocking, it works wonders on PC's! The article clearly states 1 ps3 = 10 pc's because it says 10,000 ps3's can complish what 100,000 pc's can do. I was mearly pointing out that most gaming rigs are better than the ps3 and for that matter 360 aswell! Still personally i do not see the point in wasting the electricity in running folding@home, why ot just donate money so they can buy pc's/ps3's instead of increasing ur electricity bill! [ + quote]
SDF_GR (Member) 7 February 2008 2:51
*Quote:* *Quote:* *Originally posted by DXR88:* Your particepating because. you dont have a choice it was forced on us playstation 3 users. Thats wrong, when i bought my PS3 last year, Folding@home wasn't pre-installed, i made the choice to download it and install it, i chose when to run it and i can delete it at any time. No one forced me. Do you even own a PS3? yes I do own a PS3, a PAL 6o gb which I bought the day the console was released. In the XMB under Network there is an white, square shaped icon for Folding@HOME which has been there for as long as I can remember (I'm pretty sure it was on there when I bought it unless it was part of a later firmware update), when I press the X button on it I am told that participating in the Folding@HOME project (to use this feature it says on screen) requires the download of application data, when I press triangle no options are displayed which means I cannot delete it. The ICON is pre-installed and if pressing triangle does not bring any options on screen, how is it then deleted without downloading the application and as you stated, deleting that. I have the PAL 60GB 2.10 FW and i have the Delete Option, and yes when i bought my PS3 the icon was there but the application wasnr installed. Neither the less no one has forced anyone to Activate it/download it or to run it at all. @MrXenu You are right thats why stopped running folding@home. Now i run foldin@home only when i download staff, that PS3 is on anyway. It would be even better if they could find a way to run folding@home wile playing games or watching movies. [ + quote]
SamNz (Newbie) 7 February 2008 3:23
*Quote:* *Quote:* *Quote:* Also where do they get these figures for 1ps3 = 10pc's I have a 1 year old gaming pc, which cost �1,500 and it is still faster than a ps3, more graphics, dual core @3.2Ghz 4gb RAM @833MHz So, i rele do not see how a ps3 is faster than my pc let alone 10 of my pc's. Thats just simply not true I'm sorry. I'm sorry to disappoint you but it is, its a thing called over clocking, it works wonders on PC's! The article clearly states 1 ps3 = 10 pc's because it says 10,000 ps3's can complish what 100,000 pc's can do. I was mearly pointing out that most gaming rigs are better than the ps3 and for that matter 360 aswell! Still personally i do not see the point in wasting the electricity in running folding@home, why ot just donate money so they can buy pc's/ps3's instead of increasing ur electricity bill! i wouldn't argue with dvdback but meh, and ps3 has 7 odd cores i think (lol i cant remember i dont own one) and the way the ps3 is designed it can run the same sorta process in each, so it really works 6-7 times faster (im not too knowledgeable on the subject) and overclockin also uses more power (duh thats how u get it to over clock) and not everybody's power is environmentally harmfully ( in NZ most of the power is hydro) edit people are just pissed cause they didn't think ive trying to give something back :) [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 7 February 2008 3:25
DXR88 (Member) 7 February 2008 6:44
Sorry i Overexagerated The Word Forced By the way i own both PS3 & xbox360 save for the WII witch i plan to by whin the new Smash Bro's is out. all i was trying to say was it was there, on my console when i bought it. [ + quote]
kyo28 (Junior Member) 7 February 2008 9:01
Nobody is forced to use Folding@home. Yes, there is a pre-installed icon but it's nothing more than that: an icon. If you wish to participate in the project you need to download and activate the software. Furthermore, even after activation you still have full control over when and how you participate ... and you're also free to completely erase the software as well. I find the presence of an icon (not even software, just an icon) on my XMB not that big of a deal to be honest. It's just that, an icon, nothing more. I probably takes up less than 5kb. [ + quote]
DXR88 (Member) 7 February 2008 9:26
Mabey it just me but is on my console software and icon, when i bought it brand new last year about march. and yes you have the option not to particpate in Folding@home. Like i said Over exaggeraiton. [ + quote]
vinny13 (Inactive) 8 February 2008 16:29
Lol Global Warming... I'm pretty sure a PS3 on all night now and then won't destroy the Earth :P Never mind the PS3s lets work on the car exausts first lol [ + quote]
wetsparks (Member) 8 February 2008 23:15
This is very good to see. If the trend of 3000 people per day keeps up, and they are able to something with all the data they collect, progress on this should progress very swiftly. [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 28 February 2008 1:44
Nice but why do i have a feeling that this service reminds me of microsoft window updates. [ + quote]
emugamer (Junior Member) 28 February 2008 12:11
A cure for diseases? I probably won't be able to afford it anyway because my health insurance won't cover it. So they can Fold deez nuts. Kudos to all you Europeans. Health Insurance companies line the pockets of U.S. politicians. [ + quote]
wood43 (Junior Member) 3 March 2008 21:40
*Originally posted by DXR88:* Your particepating because. you dont have a choice it was forced on us playstation 3 users. Folding@home is a good cause dont get me wrong but sometimes i think not cureing something is better . like depresion it happens but they say oh thats a serious matter heres some pills that wont help you. or ADHD & ADD its stupid accronims. i attempted to sign up for the military guess what you have ADHD no we wont have you. almost get a job thats up there on the, we need full attention scale manegement position. guess what we dont think you can handle the job because you have an attention disorder. these things did not exist 40 years ago why now, nobody knows. in any case i like folding@home a very good put to gether program. i run it on my computer every chance i get. U ARE 99999999999% right about the disorder thing! its so stupid how theres a LABELED "DISORDER" for the way every single person acts. Its just how we are! yea, and folding at homes a pretty cool idea. [ + quote]