In Depth Article on GPU Operational Costs

[Michael_McCord,_M.D.]

From Tom's Hardware today...well-done article. Any hard-core folder would easily shoot above "enthusiast" or "gamer" as we run flat-out 24/7:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/pow ... or=RSS-182

[Phantom2487]

Whats even cool about 'us' folders is we still use more than normal or above normal use would be since we use the majority of the cards resources. I believe we belong to the EXTREME user group when it comes to GPU users.

[Qinsp]

If my memory is correct, the high end gaming graphics cards can do 1500+ gigaflops of computation.

While they do chew through electricity like a toaster oven, the amount of work they do for that power is impressive.

A single GTX580 card stuck in a time machine and dialed back a decade would be in the top 10 of supercomputers in the world. A SR-2 with 4 cards would be perhaps be the #1 supercomputer.

Then again, if you saw any computer doing real-time high resolution 3D animation based on user inputs 10 years ago, you'd think there was some cheating going on. A $200 game console will do it today.

[patonb]

Hey, my gpus heat my apartment...... Haven't turned on the heat yet this wintet.

Not looking forward to summer though.

[Qinsp]

It would be 'cool' to invent a Hot Water Tank Supplemental Heat exchanger that uses computer heat.

However shortcuts are bad, m'kay? Throwing your running computer into the bathtub to heat the water isn't suggested...

[Phantom2487]

It would be 'cool' to invent a Hot Water Tank Supplemental Heat exchanger that uses computer heat.

However shortcuts are bad, m'kay? Throwing your running computer into the bathtub to heat the water isn't suggested...

One would have to use a 'pre-heat' system where the colder water going into the water heater would be used for cooling, cause if we use the water from the water heater tank itself we would be working with 160F water lol! -- Less thats what you meant already haha!

[Qinsp]

Yes, have a home plumbed with a second set of hot water lines. Water goes through the house and collects heat from Refrigerators, A/C units, Ovens, Electronic gear. This collection tank has an evaporative cooler attached to it that comes on at ~50C (when no hot water is needed, you need to dissipate the heat). When hot water is used, the inlet line to water heater comes from the supplemental tank, so you use less energy to get the water hot, since it's starting out at 50C.

Or you can heat your swimming pool (if so equipped) with the supplemental heat.

[Phantom2487]

Since I'm in a temperate area with a rather solid winter/summer extremes I have yet come across anything more ideal than that