Linux GPU Fan Control: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it comes to high-performance computing applications, maintaining optimal temperatures is crucial for prolonging the life of your hardware. One effective way to achieve this is by controlling the fan speeds on your NVIDIA GPU. In this article, we will explore how to configure Linux GPU fan control using the `nvidia-xconfig` command.

Checking Existing Configuration

Before proceeding with the configuration process, it's essential to check if there is already an existing configuration file in the `/etc/X11/nf` directory. You can do this by running the command `sudo nvidia-xconfig -query`. If you find that the `cool-bits` option is not set to a proper value, you will need to create a new configuration file.

Creating a New Configuration File

To create a new configuration file, run the following command: `sudo nvidia-xconfig -enable-all-gpus -allow-empty-initial-configuration -cool-bits=7`. This command enables all GPUs on your system and sets the `cool-bits` option to 7. You can adjust this value based on your specific requirements.

Installing Xorg

To make the script run on boot, you will need to have Xorg installed and configured properly. Our post on Mining Pods using CentOS 7.4 with CUDA 9.1 provides a comprehensive guide on how to install and configure Xorg on CentOS. The procedure has also been tested on Ubuntu 16.04.2 LTS with EVGA GTX 1050 Ti GPUs, Ubuntu 16.04.3 LTS with EVGA and ASUS GTX 10 Ti GPUs.

Making it Permanent

To make the changes permanent, you will need to run the script without any display attached (a headless system). This is because the Xorg server needs to be running in order for the GPU settings to take effect. The following steps are necessary to achieve this:

1. Install and configure Xorg.

2. Create a new configuration file using `sudo nvidia-xconfig -enable-all-gpus -allow-empty-initial-configuration -cool-bits=7`.

3. Make the script run on boot.

In high-performance computing applications, it is often necessary to maintain optimal temperatures to prolong the life of your hardware. By configuring Linux GPU fan control using `nvidia-xconfig`, you can achieve this goal. In this article, we have provided a step-by-step guide on how to configure and make the changes permanent. With this knowledge, you will be able to optimize your system's performance and ensure the longevity of your NVIDIA GPU.

Linux gpu fan control