Energy-Efficient Virtual Screening with ARM-CPU-Based Computers

Volume 8, Issue 2 (August 2017), pp. 17–23

Download PDF

@article{jocse-8-2-3,
  author={Olivia Alford and David Toth},
  title={Energy-Efficient Virtual Screening with ARM-CPU-Based Computers},
  journal={The Journal of Computational Science Education},
  year=2017,
  month=aug,
  volume=8,
  issue=2,
  pages={17--23},
  doi={https://doi.org/10.22369/issn.2153-4136/8/2/3}
}

We attempted to find a more sustainable solution for performing virtual screening with AutoDock Vina which uses less electricity than computers using typical x64 CPUs. We tested a cluster of ODROID-XU3 Lite computers with ARM CPUs and compared its performance to a server with x64 CPUs. In order to be a viable solution, our cluster needed to perform the screen without sacrificing speed or increasing hardware costs. The cluster completed the virtual screen in a little less time than our comparison server while using just over half the electricity that the server used. Additionally, the hardware for the cluster cost about 38% less than the server, making it a viable solution.