Worried about Folding@Home? Don't be!

by Nick Doerr { Apr 4th 2007 at 3:30PM }

This interview with Vijay Pande, one of the gentlemen behind Folding@Home, is getting kind of old but there are a couple of points worth pointing out. Mainly concerning running Folding@Home on the PS3 -- some people have been running "stress tests" to see how Sony's console can handle the program over extended periods. Those people can stop, because they'll be doing that forever. In any case, the PS3-specific questions were answered by SCEA 's Richard Marks (who's doing a stress test himself). Let's list it up!

Is it safe to leave the PS3 folding for 24/7?

Yes. There's no indication that the PS3 has problems over long periods of folding... but of course, you should ventilate the darn thing so it won't overheat.

Well... should people give the PS3 a break to cool off?

No. It shouldn't need a cooling period. You know that whirring thing? It's a fan. It regulates the internal temperature. [note: PS3Fanboy added some "attitude" to this response, because we like attitude]

What's stressed the most and will it affect the stability of the PS3?

The Cell processor. Luckily, it's a high-performance processor built for things just like this. Folding@Home shouldn't have any adverse affects on the PlayStation 3's stability.

That's all that we think pertains to running the program on your PS3. Don't worry, guys! Your system is completely safe and that's a good thing. Waiting for those warranty replacements or whatever aren't the best... plus you only get a refurbished system (read: previously broken) instead of a new one.
[Thanks, Dalton!]

Tags: PlayStation 3, Playstation3, PS3, Sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

mike @ Apr 4th 2007 4:51PM

try that with ur xbox 360. it will burst into flames or explode microsoft quality junk. Only loser buy xbox

Justin @ Apr 4th 2007 5:02PM

Come on, not losers....just uneducated consumers.

Highimpact1 @ Apr 5th 2007 10:08AM

The first comment was a $ony > Microsoft post... Wow.

And here I thought people where feeling pretty good about our PS3's so we didn't have to look desperate to make a microsoft hate post. >.<

Im going back to Xbox360fanboy.com... it has intelligent posts.

And yes, I own both systems; I only wish the community was better on one of them.

Wonderflex @ Apr 4th 2007 5:29PM

@ Highimpact1

Thankfully with the comments I read on the announcment of the Elite post our side of the community may start becoming better as more and more 360 owners start looking at how little money is required to jump up to a base PS3. We welcome all of you.

Charl3z523 @ Apr 4th 2007 6:36PM

Mike, that wasn't needed. That's expected out of Xbox fanboys, your giving a bad image to ps3 owners.

massive_98 @ Apr 4th 2007 6:44PM

I think I've probably been on folding@home for like five minutes. I prefer playing motorstorm.

Not that exciting really. But thanks to anyone who actually does it.

Cheers.

theburn16 @ Apr 4th 2007 6:52PM

#3) yeah...$ony, but not M$ right?

Draco @ Apr 4th 2007 8:01PM

I'm starting to think Mike may be a xbox fanboy, he's just faking being one of us to draw attention to our "immaturity".

molee molee molay

Joe @ Apr 4th 2007 9:53PM

I hate to be the thorn in the ps3's side but running folding 24/7 cannot be good for the evoirment. Curing cancer is important but the envoirment is more important.

Tyler @ Apr 4th 2007 11:07PM

@10

He's one of those people who thinks this is gonna cause global warming...LOL

But yeah...I've left my PS3 on for about 6 days straight now, no effects whatsoever...the air coming out isnt even all that warm either

Was alot hotter when the console was laying flat..but now that it's verticle i think it's ventilated better /shrug Working on my 22 Work Unit