TECHNIQUES FOR REDUCING FAN CYCLING

摘要

A fan control module configured to control the speed of a fan receives a signal that indicates the power used by a graphics processing unit (GPU) and a signal that indicates the GPU temperature. Whenever the GPU power exceeds a power threshold level, but the GPU temperature is below a temperature threshold level, the control module turns the fan on and causes the fan to operate at a minimum speed. Whenever the GPU temperature is above the temperature threshold, the control module causes the fan speed to increase with increasing temperature, regardless of power. The control module turns the fan off only when both the GPU temperature is below the temperature threshold and the GPU power is below the power threshold. Although the algorithm is discussed in conjunction with a GPU, the algorithm can be implemented with any type of processor or subsystem that needs to be fan-cooled.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling fan speed when cooling a processor, the method comprising:
receiving a first signal based on a first power dissipation level associated with the processor; receiving a second signal based on a first temperature level associated with the processor; and causing a fan to operate at a first speed based on both the first signal and the second signal.