A graphics processing unit (GPU) is a specialized electronic circuit designed to manipulate and alter memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer intended for output to a display device. GPUs are used in embedded systems, mobile phones, personal computers, workstations, and game consoles. But do the fans need to be on?
No, GPU fans do not always spin. The fans will only start spinning once the GPU has reached a certain temperature. Before that, the fans will stay put, as the card’s heatsink will be enough to provide proper heat alleviation for light(er) loads.
You can learn more about GPU and Overheating problems that might occur below
Why Do GPUs Have Fans?
Some graphics cards, believe it or not, will not spin until your GPU temperature reaches a specified threshold. They include a passive cooling mode intended to help them reduce system noise.
It has to find a way to cool down when it works hard. Most GPU parts have at least one fan that works to help heat dissipate from the unit.
Many video cards have a heat sink fan attached to them, to pull heat away from the video card processor, much like a processor heat sink
Why Do GPUs Overheat?
Your GPU is probably so hot because it cannot cool itself properly, which can result from obstructed airflow, worn-out thermal paste, or placing your laptop on a restrictive, warm surface, such as your bed. An overworked or stressed GPU may also overheat as it tries to complete intense tasks.
While any GPU can get too hot, you should not assume its specific cause, as more than a dozen factors could cause or facilitate overheating.
It’s normal and also necessary for the GPU to get hot. The GPU hardware poses resistance when electricity runs through the chips and circuits in the processor. This resistance generates heat. There will be no heat in the absence of resistance, which means the hardware is faulty and not working.
Risks Of Overheating
Modern GPUs are efficient at manipulating computer graphics and image processing. Their parallel structure makes them more efficient than general-purpose central processing units (CPUs) for algorithms that process large blocks of data in parallel. In a personal computer, a GPU can be present on a video card or embedded on the motherboard.
Overheating of the CPU can cause instability in the computer and destroy the processor. Learn how to check your CPU temperature and fix the problem. We all know that CPU overheating can cause problems with your computer. It may let your PC shut down automatically when you’re playing games or working.
When a PC gets too hot, it is easy for blue screen errors or other problems to occur that cause it to crash in software and hardware parts. In the most serious cases, the equipment may even catch fire. An overheated PC performs more terribly, slows down, lasts less, and can be annoying to use.
Overheating of a computer’s integral components can cause various problems and system malfunctions: the OS periodically slows down, freezes, strange graphical artifacts are displayed on the screen, and spontaneous reboots happen, which may be accompanied by a blue “screen of death“.
However, regardless of whether the CPU doesn’t break, if the CPU produces a lot of heat, it might adversely affect the slots on the motherboard, the motherboard’s VRM, and surrounding parts.
For example, if you keep using your computer with heat, the capacitor on the motherboard will be damaged, and the computer will not be able to function.
How To Check GPU Temperatures
Right-click on the Windows desktop, select Radeon Settings, and then head to Gaming > Global Settings > Global Wattman. If you apply a wild overclock with the tool, you’ll gain access to Wattman, which tracks GPU temperature and other key statistics in graph form. Done!
Ways To Prevent Overheating
The first step in preventing overheating is to make sure that the inside of the PC is kept clean.
A poor-quality power supply won’t last long be more inefficient, more power will be lost as heat, and the more the entire PC will get hot—either a modular or non-modular PSU but the use of good quality.
The processor should always be kept at a good temperature. Not only will this extend its life, but it will also make your computer perform better and run quieter.
Do not use the PC in a room that is too hot. Ideally, it should be around 20ºC. Also, make sure that it is well-ventilated.
The simplest way to avoid overheating is by placing your PC case at least 5-10cm in free space around it.
Instead of sleep mode, always leave the Desktop/Laptop off when you are sleeping or you are not going to use it for several hours.
Avoid forcing the PC. Instead of using your machine at full power, do it in a balanced way.
Use your laptop or computer in the right places. Never on top of blankets, knees, etc. Always use a smooth and appropriate area for this.
It is more advisable to put the PC on the table or the floor than embedded in a piece of furniture since, in the latter case, we limit the flow of air surrounding it.
Use dust-free PC cases of specific cubic-shaped PC cabinets for good ventilation.
If you are using liquid cooling, double-check the pump operation.
Competent cable management inside the system unit and the location of the case in a well-ventilated place.
Conclusion
The GPU fans are there to facilitate its cooling and more often than not GPU fans turn off and on again and again. Thus your fans don’t have to be turned on 24/7; it can switch between being on and off as needed.
