[ TPU ] NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN X To Feature Tweakable Idle Fan-off Mode

[KaRLiToS]

SOURCE

Given that its TITAN family of super high-end graphics cards never get to be custom-designed by AICs, NVIDIA has decided to standardize an idle fan-off feature of its own. Unlike AICs, who have used specialized fan-controller chips that take auxiliary temperature input to decide when to turn the fan off, NVIDIA's approach will be more driver-based. Future drivers accompanying the GTX TITAN X will offer a new feature, which when enabled, lets you choose between a non-linear fan curve that keeps the fan off; and one that runs it at low speeds. This should let the driver power the fan of a GTX TITAN X completely off, until it reaches a temperature threshold, and only then begin to ramp up speeds. It could help not just idle (desktop), but also light-gaming scenarios (think League of Legends).

 

[EliteRetard]

So whats the difference? I just recently received a GTX970 that has this zero fan option. It remains off until a temperature threshold and then ramps up exactly the way they are talking. In fact its software controlled just as a driver is. I can alter this temperature threshold at will and I can also set the particular fan speed I want when it does kick on.

 

[RussianSensation]

1. You could control the fan curve yourself. I think right now the MSI gaming either runs with fan off and the fan turns up at an MSI dictated temperature reading OR you can enable a custom fan curve but then the fan runs all the time. This NV solution seems to give more control. Correct me if I am wrong.

2. Titan cards generally do not come with 3rd party coolers other than Gigabyte Windforce 3X cooler vundles separately. This fan off at idle feature on a refernece NV card hasn't been done before, has it? Not everyone buys after-market cards making it a new feature that's not found on all cards.

 

[EliteRetard]

I have an EVGA card with the zero fan, I have complete control over it.

And I'm not complaining...in theory I like the idea. The card needs to be designed well though to ensure the power circuitry and such stay cool...since most of the cooler mass is attached to the core it may stay cooler than the rest. I think there needs to be additional sensors placed in the cards to ensure all components remain within safe limits with the fan off.

 

[RussianSensation]

What I meant is the Titan X will let you go from fan off mode to fan on at your specified temperature levels, 30C, 40C, 48C. I was under the impression you cannot do that with any Maxwell card now as you get fan control but can't change when the fan gets to turn on.

 

[EliteRetard]

As I have tried to explain, I can do that now. I can keep the fan turned off as long as I want and I can set any thermal number I desire, from 1c to 9999c+, as the trigger for turning the fan on. I can also set whatever fan speed I wish for when it turns on or have it ramp up fast or slow. Using hysteresis and the particular temps I observed in my case I have even been able to get the fan to switch on and off for short durations at a low speed. I'll have to experiment more, but I may use this method to help ensure the other components stay cool while the core is almost passively cooled by the heatsink under say 60c (or whatever I wish).

 

[amenx]

What I meant is the Titan X will let you go from fan off mode to fan on at your specified temperature levels, 30C, 40C, 48C. I was under the impression you cannot do that with any Maxwell card now as you get fan control but can't change when the fan gets to turn on.

That was my thought too before I got my Strix 970, but you can modify the fan curve with MSI-AB for it to come on at any point you want. Tried and tested. I just leave it at default though

 

[Mondozei]

Controlling your own fan curve. Many programs already do this, for both AMD and NV. I can control at what exact temperature my fans will kick in via the Sapphire's TriXX software(such a lame name). I can even dictate how fast it should ramp and with what interval. At 90 Celsius, however, I cannot control anything because at that point, the drivers take over and it goes in full force. But I could run silent at 89 if I wanted to.

Still, progress is progress, even if NV is slow on this one. And the feature should extend to all their cards by default, so AICs can't overcharge for this in the future.

 

[RussianSensation]

That was my thought too before I got my Strix 970, but you can modify the fan curve with MSI-AB for it to come on at any point you want. Tried and tested. I just leave it at default though

Good thing it works then as I've seen other members complain that when they wanted to control the fan curve on MSI gaming/Strix, the fan off feauture wouldn't work. Maybe those were early bios cards or just user error. Good thing that AMD brought ZeroCore to CF and NV brought no fan at idle. Nice to see these features pushing for more standardization. I think Asus started this fan off trend with the Strix 780 cards, before the 900 series had those features.

 

[Creig]

I'm not sure having the ability to turn off the fan is necessarily a good thing. Didn't Nvidia release a driver that accidentally turned off the cooling fan entirely, thus causing overheat instability and even damaging some cards?

I think a minimum fan speed at low RPM would be preferable. At least it would keep some air moving over the heatsink and drawing away heat in the event a future driver update should decide to conflict with the fan control software again.

 

[amenx]

I'm not sure having the ability to turn off the fan is necessarily a good thing. Didn't Nvidia release a driver that accidentally turned off the cooling fan entirely, thus causing overheat instability and even damaging some cards?

I think a minimum fan speed at low RPM would be preferable. At least it would keep some air moving over the heatsink and drawing away heat in the event a future driver update should decide to conflict with the fan control software again.

Its very easy to protect your GPU from cooling failures of any kind. I use RealTemp with alarm and shut-down options if it ever should reach 95c.

 

[Creig]

I guess I don't see any large benefit in going to no RPM rather than a low RPM. How much power will a 0 RPM fan actually save you versus, let's say, an 800 RPM fan? Not enough to bother with, would be my guess. And both will be silent. I guess you might save some wear and tear on the fan motor. But then again, turning on/off repeatedly as temps go above/below the set threshold might be just as wearing as leaving it on at 800 RPM.

 

[amenx]

Its such a very low current to get the fans spinning that I dont think any wear/tear results from it going on/off. Personally I think fan longevity is better served this way. Not that I have any concerns over that as the card would probably be obsolete by the time the fans die.

 

[EliteRetard]

I guess I don't see any large benefit in going to no RPM rather than a low RPM. How much power will a 0 RPM fan actually save you versus, let's say, an 800 RPM fan? Not enough to bother with, would be my guess. And both will be silent. I guess you might save some wear and tear on the fan motor. But then again, turning on/off repeatedly as temps go above/below the set threshold might be just as wearing as leaving it on at 800 RPM.

Fans aren't infinitely variable, the blade design has an optimum RPM range etc. If you know you can safely leave the fan off for all normal desktop use and only turn it on for gaming you may be able to design a better fan for cooling that load, instead of trying to build a generic fan that has to operate at idle as well.

And the fan doesn't switch on/off frequently (unless you specifically tell it to) so it's no different than turning your PC on or off. In fact I'd say most of the time people aren't actually gaming at all, so keeping the fan off for 75% of the day is going to reduce wear and tear on the fan, reduce dust buildup on the heatsink, use less power (you may not realize it, but the fan can double or more the power use of an idle GPU), and even compared to a low RPM fan it will make less noise.

Really there is no reason NOT to turn off the fan at low loads, as long as the card is properly designed for it.

 

[RussianSensation]

I guess I don't see any large benefit in going to no RPM rather than a low RPM.

IMO the biggest thing is extending the life of the fan. For those who change GPUs every 2-3 years, it's not a big deal but 2nd and maybe 3rd hand owners will often have fan bearing issues 4-6 years after if the card is running 24/7. Also, someone might have a fanless CPU heatsink and and a fanless PSU. For that person, the low rpm GPU fan would become audible.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Yeah zero fan is a nice feature to have. Some games don't even make the fans turn on because they are such low draw.

 

[smackababy]

All my video cards have a "tweak" that makes them fanless.

 

[cmdrdredd]

The difference here is it is standard on the reference cards where as before, that wasn't an option and you needed 3rd party tools. No?

 

[EliteRetard]

The difference here is it is standard on the reference cards where as before, that wasn't an option and you needed 3rd party tools. No?

Yeah options are nice, so putting it in the control panel is a good thing.
Me I'm just using the software that came with my card...but if there were a manufacturer that didn't have or want to develop their own software they could now rely on the stock Nvidia drivers to enable this option.

 

[Zanovar]

A good thing imo,christ the amount of cards ive had with dodgy fans.im just surprised it hasnt been done earlier.

 

[EliteRetard]

A good thing imo,christ the amount of cards ive had with dodgy fans.im just surprised it hasnt been done earlier.

I think it is the efficiency/performance per watt and the the newer tech like power gating etc that reduces the power/heat at idle. That and coolers have come a long way from just a block of aluminum. We're now at the point where its possible and safe to passively cool up to a point, where that wasn't the case before.

 

[TurtleCrusher]

Uhh, a custom fan profile in sapphire trixx does just this. I have it set right now so fan doesn't kick in until 60C, and the fan on slightly after that. It's been on AMD cards since at least 2010.