Problems with temperature

tld
Posts: 2
Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2015 3:23 pm

Re: Problems with temperature

Post by tld »

Much like daz, I've installed FreeBSD, and the fitlet (an X with A4 in my case) is running quite hot.

In addition to RAM, I've installed a Kingston SSDNow SSD, which mostly reports temperatures between 69 and 76 degrees celcius. After moving the fitlet to a bit of metal that could move some heat, typically the lower end of that, which brings it to within the operating temperature of the SSD.

I measured the top cover of the fitlet, and it seems to keep at around 50C.

I do understand that - because the casing is effectively the heatsink - it's expected to run hotter than a normal machine, but I don't really know what temperature is to be expected.

Is 50C on the top cover nothing to worry about?

At what temperature should I be concerned?

Also, have you considered simply donating a few fitlets to select FreeBSD-developers?

The amdtemp-module for FreeBSD for example, doesn't seem to be familiar with the CPU yet. If I were you guys, I'd consider simply sending an email to the authors of it, asking if they'd like a free fitlet. Authors can be found here: https://www.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?que ... )&sektion=

That's 3 developers, and if 1-2 of them are interested, it'd be a potentially huge boost if you send them a fitlet each, and they're willing to look at it.

Might be someone is willing to test and verify CPU sleep-states etc...

I'm guessing that FreeBSD (directly or through pfSense and similar) make up a large slice of your potential user base, but people getting put off due to temperature can get everyone worried, FreeBSD user or otherwise.

Another option would be to switch off the Radeon GPU, perhaps through a BIOS-setting?
I'd love to see serial-redirect of BIOS, and ability to turn the GPU entirely off. I don't think that's possible at the moment? It wouldn't surprise me if that's the source of some of the heat.

tld

EDIT; daz might want to add the following to /boot/loader.conf:
hw.pci.do_power_nodriver=3
hint.ata.0.pm_level=2

First powers down PCI-devices for which no driver is loaded, second is for ATA power-management. I haven't noticed any obvious and significant difference though.

mbirger

Re: Problems with temperature

Post by mbirger »

fitlet can run quite hot, however it does not affect system reliability.
There are two components that generate most heat in the system – CPU and mSATA SSD (controller itself). Please refer to the following forum topic:
http://www.fit-pc.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=149&t=5636
http://www.fit-pc.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=149

The most effective solution for reducing mSATA temperature is enabling aggressive link power management (ALPM):
http://www.fit-pc.com/wiki/index.php/Ag ... ent_(ALPM)

Also you can set the power envelope of the fitlet in BIOS to reduce temperature.
Please refer to BIOS guide Power settings, APU TDP section: http://www.fit-pc.com/wiki/index.php/Fitlet_BIOS_guide
It is worth to set this parameter to 4500 (default value) thus limiting heat generation.

We will soon present two solutions:
1. A heatplate for the mSATA that will help reducing mSATA temperature dramatically.
2. Top cover with heatsink ribs (should be available in 4-6 weeks), will be offered as accessory.

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