GPU Max Blower

I just want to share my new favourite systemd unit.

GPU MAX BLOWER! This unit sets the nvidia GPU fan speed to 100%, which helps keep the GPU core and memory cooler under load. Most cards use a “fan curve” to help reduce fan noise while keeping temperatures within the specification. While this is acceptable (or preferred) in most cases, a GPU may be running under load for extended periods, or in a server enclosure where moving air quickly is critical. Maintain those high clock speeds! This systemd unit only works if you have the nvidia driver and associated tools installed.

/etc/systemd/system/gpublower.service

[Unit]
Description=GPU Max Blower

[Service]
Type=oneshot
ExecStart=/usr/bin/nvidia-settings -V -c :0 -a '[gpu:0]/GPUFanControlState=1' -a '[fan:0]/GPUTargetFanSpeed='"100"
RemainAfterExit=true
ExecStop=/usr/bin/nvidia-settings -V -c :0 -a '[fan:0]/GPUTargetFanSpeed='"80"
StandardOutput=journal

[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

systemctl daemon-reload
systemctl start gpublower
systemctl status gpublower

You will see warnings in the log if the host doesn’t use X11, this is fine (it still works). The warnings will look like this.

Mar 10 01:17:14 node2 nvidia-settings[1585]: WARNING: NV-CONTROL Display not found.
Mar 10 01:17:14 node2 nvidia-settings[1585]: WARNING: NV-CONTROL Display not found.
Mar 10 01:17:14 node2 nvidia-settings[1585]: WARNING: Unable to determine number of NVIDIA 3D Vision Pro Transceivers on ':0'.
Mar 10 01:17:14 node2 nvidia-settings[1585]: WARNING: Unable to determine number of NVIDIA Display Devices on ':0'.
Mar 10 01:17:14 node2 nvidia-settings[1585]: WARNING: Unable to determine number of NVIDIA X Screens on ':0'.
Mar 10 01:17:14 node2 nvidia-settings[1585]:   Attribute 'GPUFanControlState' ([gpu:0]) assigned value 1.
Mar 10 01:17:14 node2 nvidia-settings[1585]:   Attribute 'GPUTargetFanSpeed' ([fan:0]) assigned value 100.

Check to see if your GPU fan is cranking. If there isn’t a load on the GPU, the service will have no effect.

watch nvidia-smi

If you have more than one nvidia GPU, you can append additional arguments to the ExecStart command etc.

-a '[gpu:1]/GPUFanControlState=1' -a '[fan:1]/GPUTargetFanSpeed='"100"