THE EFFECT OF HEAT ON A

GPUPROJECT BY: KYLE BARR

INTRODUCTION

•How Heat affects Performance

• Execute 3D environment applications to test the heat

generated from computing.

HYPOTHESIS If the graphics card generates a certain amount of heat, then the performance of the graphics card will be affected.

WHAT IS A GPU?• A computer expansion card.

• Stands for “Graphics Processing Unit.

• Consists of a Silicon-based microprocessor.

• Generates a 3D image on an X, Y, and Z axis.

• Each image is known as a frame, and it generates multiple

frames per second (fps) to output a raw real time video.

WHAT IS A GPU? (CONTINUED)

•Generally used to boost graphics performance

•Allows for smoother running and higher quality

graphics dependent on card installed.

THE “BARR” THEOREM

•An equation to determine a score based upon clock

speed, performance, and temperature. (Created by Kyle

Barr)p = Performance (FPS)t = Temperature (ºC)c= Clock Speed (Mhz)

𝑝 100 + 𝑡(−1)

2− 𝑡 − 𝑐 0.1 = 𝑥

EXAMPLE

Performance = 100 FPS

Temperature = 50ºC

Clock = 1200Mhz

100 100 + 50(−1)

2− 50 − 1200 0.1 = 4805

MATERIALS

• ASUS GTX 770 DCuII Graphics Card

• “Bluefire PC” (custom PC)

• Unigine Valley v1.0 Benchmark

• ASUS GPU Tweak 2.0 (tuning software)

• GPU-Z: GPU Analytics Software

• Fraps: FPS Logging Software

• Windows 7 64-Bit OS

• Thermometer (for room temperature)

• ASUS VG248QE 1080p 144hz 1ms monitor

PROCEDURE

1. Check room temperature to be between 22ºC to 23ºC

2. Open all needed programs (Benchmark, GPU Tweak, GPU-Z, Fraps)

3. Set benchmark settings to specified settings

4. Start the GPU-Z and Fraps logs and record what time

(Hours:Minutes:Seconds) it was started

5. Start benchmark and run for 5 minutes

6. End benchmark and logging software, and align times on GPU-Z log

and Fraps log in Excel.

7. Log results into the “Barr” theorem with the Maximum, Minimum,

and Average, then average the output of the equations.

RESULTS

• As each trial progressed the heat increased

• Trend lines suggest that performance decreased and

temperature increased

• Performance decrease is slight, but noticeable

0

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Heat

/ F

PS v

alu

e (H

eat

= º

C /

FPS =

Fra

mes P

er

Second)

Seconds

Average Heat and Performance

Heat FPS Linear (Heat) Linear (FPS)

40

60

80

RESULTS

• Final scores ranged between 4150-4600

• The average, minimum and maximum are taken from the “Barr” Theorem, then averaged out.

CONCLUSION

•As the temperature of the card increased the

performance output was decreased.

•All tests had proven hypothesis.

•Further use: To help create better cooling

solutions so GPUs can perform at the best

possible level.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

•Mrs. Kuruc

•Mr. Jaeger

•Mr. Eberling

•My parents

Thank you all for your support and ideas

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LITERATURE CITED