Industrial Computers with High-Powered GPUs

By ·Categories: Industrial IoT·Published On: July 7th, 2020·5.2 min read·

Industrial computers with high-powered GPUs are becoming more and more necessary as compute-intensive tasks like machine vision, AI, and advanced automation push CPUs past their limitations and into the realm of dedicated graphics hardware. But enabling leading-edge performance in a fanless, solid state system is hard to do, as it must balance cooling capacity, power consumption, cost and system reliability.

Driving this evolution of industrial computers (IPCs) are commercial applications that thrive on top-end computation and graphics performance. Medical imaging, for example, requires extreme visual fidelity with minimal latency, while shop floor CAD and CNC workstations must provide responsive design experiences in punishing environments. From multi-screen video walls to real-time machine vision that detects manufacturing flaws, high performance industrial computers with high powered GPUs are changing the game. Deployments that have always valued reliability, consistency and availability of replacement parts, today also demand cutting edge graphics processing.

Solving the Cooling Conundrum of Industrial Computers with High-Powered GPUs

A typical consumer-grade high-performance PC boasts multiple fans and heatsinks, with powerful GPUs that can pump out 200 watts or more of thermal design power (TDP). This kind of approach is problematic for industrial computers, which leverage solid state designs for maximum efficiency and reliability. But it’s becoming more and more common to find industrial computers with high-powered GPUs that bridge the gap. Looking quickly at our own product line, you’ll see a few different approaches to solving the challenge of cooling a GPU.

The Helix 600 is a low-profile, powerful  industrial computer with graphics card options. The solid state reliability of the main system is preserved through what we call a fanless hybrid solution. The HX600 expansion bay can accommodate fan-cooled cards and GPUs, but the motherboard remains in a separate, passively cooled chamber.

Karbon 700 Fanless Hybrid

If the location where the computer is to be installed is in an environment that requires a more rugged solution, OnLogic’s Karbon 700 is an example of a rugged industrial computer with this same fanless hybrid design. In the K700, only the GPU is fan cooled which protects the rest of the computer from any dust or debris which may be introduced by the fan.

 

Neousys Nuvo-5095GCThe Nuvo-5095GC system from Neousys offers a modular, cassette-based design that enables a fanless IPC to accept a discrete graphics card module, complete with fan and heatsink. The arrangement makes it possible to leverage powerful GPUs for specific computational tasks – like image analysis and display. This modular approach allows for the GPU cassette to be easily swapped out for service or upgrading without requiring replacement of the entire system.

Another solution utilizes the range of available low profile, lower power half-height graphics cards, which run directly off a standard PCI-e expansion slot, helping reduce cost while offering a compact footprint and efficient cooling. Half-height graphics cards (sometimes called mini-cards) are effective for graphics subsystems with a TDP below 75. The Cincoze DS-1100 is an example of a system that employs this type of solution.

Custom motherboard designs can also help combat some of the key GPU complications by strategically positioning components for maximal cooling and electrical efficiency. However, the small surface area of compact industrial computer cases are a challenge, and case temperatures must stay low enough that they don’t threaten to burn users who touch them. Ultimately, this solution relies on the continued advancement of graphics processing technology, which promises higher computational performance without higher thermal output.

Logic Supply MC850 GPU Computer

OnLogic’s MC850-50

Of course, not all industrial PCs are fanless. In applications where environmental concerns aren’t as prevalent and active cooling can be tolerated, users can elect to integrate dedicated graphics solutions into a fanned chassis. In the past, systems that utilize standard GPU integration methods have been bulky and difficult to install in situations with space constraints – a common concern for OEM machine builders and system integrators. Our MC850-50 system was designed to enable advanced processing in a small footprint for control room, edge computing and industrial automation applications that aren’t subject to adverse environmental conditions.

Check out all industrial computers with GPU options that OnLogic offers here.

Living the Lifecycle

There are a range of commercially available solutions that mate muscular GPUs with power-hungry CPUs, but few graphics hardware suppliers offer reliable availability of parts and guaranteed component manufacturing life spans of five years – typically the minimum threshold for industrial computer deployments. The result: Many of the other graphics-savvy IPCs on the market can be tricky to service due to lack of timely spare parts and/or equivalent configurations.

There are some exceptions to the lifecycle dilemma. AMD currently offers versions of its embedded Radeon graphics controller with a five-year manufacturing lifecycle, specifically with its AMD Radeon G and E series cards. The AMD ER91FL PCI-e based graphics card with Radeon E6460 GPU is one example. But with the specific requirements of many industrial computing, automation and IoT applications, finding the graphics card and system combination that works for every situation is nearly impossible.

OnLogic is working with leading vendors to promote longer lifecycles and lock down component availability. In the meantime, we work with customers to help proactively manage component inventories and plan for product end of life events. This includes helping transition existing configurations to current parts and providing testing and other services to ensure a smooth transition, and the continued success, of ongoing projects that require dedicated graphics processing.

The role of IPCs is evolving, and the challenge of managing IPC deployments is evolving with it. To ensure that systems meet both your performance and reliability targets, take the time to consider all your options, while staying informed of the challenges that face any high-performance, graphics intensive IPC project.

 

Note: Note this blog post was originally created on September 7, 2017 and updated for content on July 7, 2020. 

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About the Author: JP Ishaq

JP joined the Logic Supply team in 2010 as a Product Manager. Aside from a lifelong love of technology, he enjoys movies, writing, and having a first name with no vowels.