Graphics processing unit cooling solutions: Acoustic characteristics

Authors

  • Matt Nantais Department of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, Ont. N9B 3P4, Canada
  • Colin Novak Department of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, Ont. N9B 3P4, Canada
  • Jeff Defoe Department of Mechanical, Automotive and Materials Engineering, University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Ave., Windsor, Ont. N9B 3P4, Canada

Keywords:

Acoustic arrays, Computer software, Personal computers, Photoacoustic effect, Storage allocation (computer), Tachometers, Central processing unit, Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), Power supply

Abstract

The change in acoustic characteristics in personal computers to console gaming and home entertainment systems with the change in the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), is presented. The tests are carried out using identical configurations of the software and system hardware. The prime components of the hardware used in the project are central processing unit, motherboard, hard disc drive, memory, power supply, optical drive, and additional cooling system. The results from the measurements taken for each GPU tested are analyzed and compared. The test results are obtained using a photo tachometer and reflective tape adhered to one particular fan blade. The test shows that loudness is a psychoacoustic metric developed by Zwicker and Fastal that aims to quantify how loud a sound is perceived as compared to a standard sound. The acoustic experiment reveals that the inherent noise generation mechanism increases with the increase of the complexity of the cooling solution.

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Published

2006-09-01

How to Cite

1.
Nantais M, Novak C, Defoe J. Graphics processing unit cooling solutions: Acoustic characteristics. Canadian Acoustics [Internet]. 2006 Sep. 1 [cited 2023 May 29];34(3):78-9. Available from: https://jcaa.caa-aca.ca/index.php/jcaa/article/view/1830

Issue

Vol. 34 No. 3 (2006)

Section

Proceedings of the Acoustics Week in Canada

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