20071114
Graphic Processor Warming
My computer has worked hard since its launch in eariler this year, but now comes a new challenge: Keeping things cool and quiet. There is no argument that AMD's processors live up to their "Cool'n'quiet" standards, my problem is with the computer case, the power supply, and the graphics card.The case has poorly done it's job of keeping things cool. As I experimented with the cooling fans, I turned one of them the other direction. The sound was like having a vacuum cleaner sitting next to you. Secondly, if heat rises, why is there not a vent on top of the computer? In order to improve air flow, I need to replace the case. Preferibly one with a door in the side for quick access and a window to see inside. One of the flaws with the case was the punchout slots for peripherals. Once they came out, you could not put them back in. This is an open invite for dust.
The power supply as it turns out should have a fan on the bottom for what I'm needing. Just as a ceiling fan in a room recirculates cool air in the summer, so too must the power supply keep that 2'x8" cabnet well ventilated.
The biggest concern is the Graphics Card or GPU. I don't know why the people who make GPU's with fans that block all the other PCI ports. I mean, its not like I wanted to put something there. But seriously, GPUs are a joke right now. The high-end gaming GPUs look like they have a jet engine strapped to them. Is this thing suppost to cool down the GPU or heat it up? The GPU is nearly twice of not three times as hot as all the other components on the montherboard. A GPUs cooling system is so terrible, it's heat output is effecting the other devices, including the CPU. Currently, as I am writing this GKrellM reports that the GPU is at 168.8 degrees F. The heat is so bad, that one of the two cores on the CPU sometimes exceeds its thermal limit of 104 degrees, and I'm not running ANY high powered programs. The temperatures of the other core which is farter away from the GPU, is at about 78 degrees. It should be slightly cooler than that.
Therefore, I need to find a different GPU to reduce energy consuption so that it doesn't melt down the rest of the systems that were designed to stay cool.
Labels: diy, energy, environment, hardware
posted by Bushido Hacks 11/14/2007 03:59:00 PM
