I am keeping this post very short, with mostly photos. I tested the cooling performance with different games. The GPU’s max power is 72W, though during my tests, it exceeded 75W. It’s also possible to limit it to 30W. I tested the GPU by running games like Black Myth: Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, and 3DMark benchmark tests inside a VM.
The results were mostly of two types: when the fans were running quietly (audible but not loud), the L4 GPU’s temperature reached around 90°C. Alternatively, when the fans were running at maximum speed, the temperature stayed around 76°C, 61°C or even 35°C. My goal was to find a silent solution, where even at max load, I wouldn’t hear the fans at all. I must admit, the cooling situation was overwhelming because I was worried I wouldn’t find a solution. I feared I’d either have to accept the high noise or limit the power to 30W.
At the end of the blog, I’m happy to share two solutions that I consider a big success. The first solution was surprisingly effortless and required almost no effort to accomplish, yet it delivered great results. The second option involved buying the right type of fan for optimal cooling, which also worked very well. Both approaches provided the silent performance I was aiming for, making them successful outcomes for this project.
L4 Cooling Experiments: Photos
Solution 1
Solution 1: I simply used a long enough screw to attach my SuperMicro server fan (FAN-0065L4) directly to the L4 GPU. The GPU conveniently has a screw hole at the end in the perfect location. After securing it, I adjusted the angle so that the fan would effectively cool both sides of the GPU.
To manage the fan noise, I connected a Noctua FAN speed controller (NA-FC1) and turned down the speed to the point where it was completely inaudible to my ears.
Supermicro 40mm Axial Fan (FAN-0065L4) Specifications:
Fan Size: 40mm
Rated Fan Speed: 13,000 RPM
Acoustic Noise Level: 52.5 dBA
Maximum Airflow Rate: 23.1 CFM
Dimensions: 40L x 40H x 28W (mm)
Solution 2: I found a blower fan on eBay. It’s different from the one used on the RTX 6000 Ada, but blower fans are known for generating more airflow and air pressure, which makes them effective for cooling. I installed it, and it’s running at maximum speed. While I can hear a bit of fan noise, it’s much more tolerable compared to other fans I’ve tried. The cooling performance is also impressive.
