Graphics card Simulation study

Aim

The aim of the project was to calculate maximum temperature attained by the processor, find out heat transfer coefficients and potential hotspots on the model. Same results are compared for the two mesh variations.

Introduction of Graphic Card

A video card (also called a display card, graphics card, display adapter, or graphics adapter) is an expansion card which generates a feed of output images to a display device (such as a computer monitor). Frequently, these are advertised as discrete or dedicated graphics cards, emphasizing the distinction between these and integrated graphics. At the core of both is the graphics processing unit (GPU), which is the main part that does the actual computations, but should not be confused as the video card as a whole, although \"GPU\" is often used to refer to video cards.

Size of Graphic Card

Video cards for desktop computers come in one of two size profiles, which can allow a graphics card to be added even to small-sized PCs. Some video cards are not of the usual size and are thus categorized as being low profile. Video card profiles are based on height only, with low-profile cards taking up less than the height of a PCIe slot, some can be as low as \"half-height”. Length and thickness can vary greatly, with high-end cards usually occupying two or three expansion slots, and with dual-GPU cards -such as the graphics card generally exceeding 250 mm (10 in) in length. Generally, most users will prefer a lower profile card if the intention is to fit multiple cards or they run into clearance issues with other motherboard components like the DIMM or PCI-e slots. This can be fixed with a larger case that comes in sizes like a mid tower and full tower. Full towers can usually fit larger motherboards in sizes like ATX and micro ATX. The larger the case, the larger the motherboard, the larger the graphics card or multiple other components that will acquire case real-estate.

Parts of Graphic Card

1. Graphics Processing Unit
2. Heat Sink

A heat sink (also commonly spelled heatsink) is a passive heat exchanger that transfers the heat generated by an electronic or a mechanical device to a fluid medium, often air or a liquid coolant, where it is dissipated away from the device, thereby allowing regulation of the device\'s temperature at optimal levels. Aluminum alloys are the most common heat sink material. This is because aluminum costs less than copper. However, copper is used where higher levels of thermal conductivity are needed. Some heat sinks use a combination of aluminum fins with a copper base.

1. Video BIOS
2. Video memory
3. RAMDAC
4. Output interfaces
   • Video Graphics Array
   • Digital Visual Interface
   • Video in Video out
   • High-Definition Multimedia Interface
   • Display Port

The importance is to reduce your graphics card temperature

1. Proper airflow in the cabinet
2. Increase fan speed
3. Clean fan and heat sink
4. Install an aftermarket cooler

Cooling Method

As long as the graphics card can get the heat out of the case, temperatures will stay at acceptable levels. Even a multi-GPU array has access to enough airflow to operate within safe tolerances, so long as there\'s room to breathe between the GPUs. If you want to exploit the value benefits of CrossFire or SLI, buy a motherboard with at least one expansion space between installed dual-slot cards (that\'s two vacant slots between the two ends up using). If the cards are too close together, as in the image above, it\'s easy for the board blocked off to overheat under even moderate duress. After all, its fan can\'t draw in enough air to keep the graphics processor cool.

The situation is similar when it comes to dealing with graphics cards sporting axial fans. Though they\'re quiet, they end up blowing hot air around inside of your case, rather than out of it, leading to undesirable heat build-up. In many cases, a side fan can help. Even though they\'re continually criticized in our forum, a side fan\'s effectiveness (and the subsequent improvement to graphics card cooling) is both measurable and tangible.

Sr No	Element Size in mm	No of Elements	Maximum Temperature K
Processor	Fin/ Base P	Enclosure
1	1	1	2	111549	627.30
2	1	1	1	378639	325.37
3	1	1	0.9	481995	324.60
4	1	1	0.8	638106	324.20
5	1	1	0.7	875334	323.90
6	1	1	0.6	1191435	323.54
7	1	1	0.5	1861654	322.80
8	1	1	0.4	3286915	322.53

Sr no 1 results does not consider because that of temperature processor will be damaged. The graphics processing unit (GPU) is designed to operate reliably up to their maximum specified operating temperature. This maximum temperature varies by graphics processing unit but is generally in the 365K to 378K range. If a GPU hits the maximum temperature, the GPU will shut down the system to prevent damage to the graphics card.

Assumptions

1. The thermal design point or thermal design power (TDP) of a processor is assumed to be 7W.
2. The inlet velocity of air is assumed to be 2m/s.
3. The processor is the only heat generation source.

Case Study

1. A made-up geometry resembling a graphics card is imported into the space claim. Where share topology is set to obtain a conforming mesh.
2. Meshing
3. Setup – Double Precision

General: - Steady State

Model: - Energy (On)

Viscous: - Standard k-epsilon turbulence model

1. Add Material: - Properties of Graphic Card Material

Material	Equipment	Density	Thermal Conductivity	Specific Heat Capacity
Silica	Processor	2330	707	170
Copper	Fin Plate	8978	381	387.6
Steel	Base plate	8030	502.48	16.27

1. Cell zone condition and add material
2. Processor > Silica > Source Zone > Heat generation > 1e8 Wm3.

Calculated using T.dp = 7W.

1. The inlet velocity is set to 2m/s with an inlet temperature of 300K.
2. Fluid Domain: - Convection
3. Hybrid Initiation
4. Calculate
5. Post processing

Base Mesh Results of Graphic Card

1. Mesh Size 2 mm

Mesh Size 1 mm

Refined Mesh Results of Graphic Card (0.4 mm)

Case	No of Element	Min temp	Max Temp	Min Heat transfer Coefficient	Max Heat transfer Coefficient
Base	111549	1	627.34	0	5732.51
Base	378639	299	325.37	0	652.64
Refine	3286915	299.99	322.53	0	730.08

Observation

• The solution converges around 698 iterations for refined mesh and 162 iterations for baseline mesh.
• The refined mesh gives more accurate results and calculates the heat transfer coefficient.
• There is a lot of variation between the results of baseline mesh and refined mesh.