What’s different between the GPU1 (first generation) and the GPU2 (second generation) client?

GPU1 taught us a great deal of running GPU’s “in the wild,” which is very different than in the lab, and what we’ve learned has gone into GPU2. GPU2 more reliable scientifically and has more advanced algorithms. It’s also significantly easier to run than GPU1.

Actions such as fast-user switching, or locking your computer have no effect on GPU processing. Remote desktop does still affect the GPU client and will cause the FahCore to fail when a connection is initiated. VNC does not have the same problem and can be used as an alternative.

Note: The interaction of the GPU and the Operating System change from one version of Windows to the next. So while the GPU client seems unaffected by Fast User Switching in Windows XP, the same is not true for newer versions of Windows. This may change again as drivers are updated, Operating Systems are patched, and/or the eventual change to OpenCL.