Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- guides:plotting:virtualplots [2024/02/07 16:44] – vleesbanaan
+++ guides:plotting:virtualplots [2024/02/09 06:55] (current) – changed some wording - was underselling it a little :P vleesbanaan
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ===== Virtual Plots =====
-Although k-32 is by far the [[https://dashboard.chia.net/d/CL1X4UWnk/blockchain-state?orgId=1&viewPanel=41|most used k-size]], chia allows us to plot big-k plots. As the number of proofs is directly proportional to the plot size in bytes, there is limited incentives on the revenue side to using larger k-plots. On the cost side however, using big k-plots offers a small advantage in terms of HDD power-saving. A k-32 has double the disk reads per byte and is accessed by the plot-filter twice more than a k-33, and four times for than a k-34, and 16 times more than a k-36, etc. One problem in leveraging these benefits has been that in order to fill up a drive to make best use of the capacity, a mixed bag of multi-k plots is required (see image below), resulting in a cost-saving that is insignificant enough to warrant a replot for most.
+Although k-32 is by far the [[https://dashboard.chia.net/d/CL1X4UWnk/blockchain-state?orgId=1&viewPanel=41|most used k-size]], chia allows us to plot big k-plots. As the number of proofs is directly proportional to the plot size in bytes, there is limited incentives on the revenue side to using larger k-plots. On the cost side however, using big k-plots offers the possibility of an advantage in terms of HDD power-saving. A k-32 has double the disk reads per byte and is accessed by the plot-filter twice more than a k-33, and four times for than a k-34, and sixteen times more than a k-36, etc. One problem in leveraging these benefits has been that in order to fill up a drive to make best use of the capacity, a mixed bag of multi-k plots is required (see image below), resulting in still too much disk io to use certain power saving modes.
 |  Drive Capacity  |  Plotmix  |  Available GB  |  Total ChiaPos GB  |  GB Free  |
@@ Line 13: / Line 13: @@
 This means that any HDD using this method is accessed only ~18 (9216/512) times per day with the current plot filter. This allows us to put HDDs into standby_z (spin-down) or idle_c (reduce rpm), saving 80% and 50% respectively compared to drives filled with only C0 k-32s.
-Whenever a signage point arrives, you need to check the plot filter for plots passing. This plot filter check is done purely against the plotID, and is done in memory/cached, so you don't need any disk io for it. When a plot passes the plot filter, you'll need to look up qualities from the plot, and that's when the disk io starts. With the current plot filter, a single plot is expected to pass only once every 512 signature points, or once every 80 minutes.
+Whenever a signage point arrives, the harvester process checks the plot filter for plots passing. This plot filter check is done purely against the plotID, and is done in memory/cached, so no disk io is needed for it. When a plot passes the plot filter, the harvester will look up qualities from the plot, and that's when the disk io starts. With the current plot filter, a single plot is expected to pass only once every 512 signature points, or once every 80 minutes.
 This means that if you have an 18TB drive filled with 165 k-32s, you have 165 different plotIDs per disk and you'll have a plot passing every 30 seconds or so requiring disk io. The disk will not be able to sleep. If, however, you have a single plotID per disk, your disk will only have to wake once every 80 minutes. It can sleep the rest of the time, which is much more power efficient.
@@ Line 28: / Line 28: @@
 The virtual plot method may still be considered by a diverse set of farmers.
+It offers an alternative to the direction of compressed plots by using less, rather than more electricity.
 A good fit would be with farmers on small drives, with high electricity prices.
 But it also allows for more complex methods, such as using idle_c during winter, while switching to standby_z in summer to reduce electricity used for AC.