[Server-devel] do RPi 3 B+ still need heat sinks?

James Cameron quozl at laptop.org
Tue Apr 3 20:46:11 EDT 2018


On Tue, Apr 03, 2018 at 08:35:54PM -0400, Adam Holt wrote:
> On Tue, Apr 3, 2018 at 8:17 PM, James Cameron <[1]quozl at laptop.org> wrote:
> 
>     On Tue, Apr 03, 2018 at 05:28:31PM -0400, Adam Holt wrote:
>     > On Tue, Apr 3, 2018 at 5:01 PM, James Cameron <[1][2]quozl at laptop.org>
>     wrote:
>     >
>     >     On Tue, Apr 03, 2018 at 10:33:12AM -0400, Adam Holt wrote:
>     >     > On Mon, Apr 2, 2018 at 12:36 PM, Adam Holt <[1][2][3]
>     holt at laptop.org> wrote:
>     >     >
>     >     >     On Mon, Apr 2, 2018 at 10:44 AM, Adam Holt <[2][3][4]
>     holt at laptop.org>
>     >     wrote:
>     >     >
>     >     >         1) Recap from 2016: heatsinks on the original RPi3 CPU are
>     not a
>     >     >         cure-all when the RPi 3 is enclosed in a case that lacks
>     >     ventilation on
>     >     >         a hot day.  But CPU heatsinks Do Work when taking the
>     plastic top
>     >     off
>     >     >         the of the original RPi 3.  The CPU throttling problem
>     >     "immediately"
>     >     >         goes away on such hot days...bringing the temperature back
>     down
>     >     below
>     >     >         80C...as measured by the command:
>     >     >
>     >     >            vcgencmd measure_temp
>     >     >
>     >     >         2) It's snowing today right outside my window, so I can't
>     easily
>     >     >         simulate a hot summer's day -- but can others who live in
>     hot
>     >     >         environments report back their readings above, when running
>     the
>     >     new
>     >     >         RPi3 B+ in various conditions?
>     >     >           ☆ With heatsink on CPU -- and without?
>     >     >           ☆ With motherboard fully enclose by a case -- and
>     without?
>     >     >
>     >     >     My own results, with all 4 CPU's unloaded, in a chilly room:
>     >     >
>     >     >  RPi 3 with-heatsink-on-CPU / RPi 3 B+ / RPi 3 B+
>     with-heatsink-on-CPU
>     >     > 44-46C / 46-48C / 45-47C case's plastic top removed (w/o wind or
>     active
>     >     > ventilation)
>     >     > 46-49C / 48-51C / 48-52C case's plastic top attached (contains 100+
>     small
>     >     holes
>     >     > on 1 end, allowing very little ventilation)
>     >     >
>     >     >     After I ran "yes > /dev/null &" 4 times, to fully load all 4
>     cores of
>     >     the
>     >     >     CPU:
>     >     >
>     >     >  RPi 3 with-heatsink-on-CPU / RPi 3 B+ / RPi 3 B+
>     with-heatsink-on-CPU
>     >     > 80-82C / 70-71C / 71-72C case's plastic top removed (w/o wind or
>     active
>     >     > ventilation)
>     >     > 82-84C / 75-78C / 79-82C case's plastic top attached (contains 100+
>     small
>     >     holes
>     >     > on 1 end, allowing very little ventilation)
>     >     >
>     >     > RESULT: attaching a heatsink to the RPi 3 B+ CPU does not help.  It
>     might
>     >     even
>     >     > make things a bit worse, hmm.
>     >
>     >     Yes, your heatsink is no good.
>     >
>     >     The B+ CPU has a heatsink or heat spreader already, that silver
>     >     coloured bevelled structure with the black dot and Broadcom logo.
>     >
>     >     What is the shape, size, and attachment method for your added
>     >     heatsink?
>     >
>     > It's the standard Canakit 7-fin aluminum heatsink shown here, attached to
>     the
>     > CPU with its own basic 3M self-adhesive sticker:
>     >
>     > [4][5]http://www.bestofjay.com/w/
>     > raspberry-pi-3-overclock-heat-test-flirc-case-vs-canakit-heatsink/
>     > [5][6]http://11986-presscdn-0-77.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads
>     /2016/04/
>     > heat-sinks-installed.jpg
> 
>     Given your results, probably wrong heatsink for the job.  No, I don't
>     know of a better one.
> 
> Indeed.  It'd be really great if the Raspberry Pi Foundation would publish
> basic recommendations here, even if just community/testing suggestions.

Best tell them.

>     Theory; the adhesive won't make good contact with outer bevel, and
>     passive airflow above that outer bevel will be reduced.
> 
>     Theory; bubble in adhesive if the heatsink was not angled slightly as
>     you pushed it down.
> 
>     Theory; the thermal control system is very different to the previous
>     version, and this invalidates your test method.  The system uses
>     thermal mass and core frequency scaling, and you've changed the
>     thermal mass.  It's non-linear.
> 
>     Report your kernel version; the corresponding Raspbian release has
>     changes for the B+.
> 
> Kernel is 4.14.30-v7+ after 2018-03-28's Raspbian update ("apt update; apt
> dist-upgrade; reboot").
> 
>     See
>     [7]https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-3-model-bplus-sale-now-35/
>     for more technical detail on the thermals; note how the core frequency
>     varies and the thermal mass is a resource.
> 
>     Suggest you use sysbench for at least 15 minutes before reading the
>     temperature.  The "yes" test is very weak.
> 
> Thanks.  Any recommended parameters for sysbench to battle-test all RPi 3 B+
> subsystems simultaneously?

No.  You made reference to an article that gave a method; try that?

http://www.bestofjay.com/w/raspberry-pi-3-overclock-heat-test-flirc-case-vs-canakit-heatsink/

>     > FWIW these same heatsinks do lower the temperature of the original RPi 3
>     by
>     > many degrees IF the CPU 's under medium load AND the top of the plastic
>     case is
>     > removed :)
> 
>     But irrelevant, as the CPU is a different model, has a flat surface,
>     and does not have a thermal control system that uses thermal mass.
> 
>     Please remember; things change, and this breaks your knowledge.  You
>     must learn again.
> 
>     >
>     >     > In any case: this result is completely different the original RPi 3
>     >     (where past
>     >     > experiments have shown that a heatsink-on-CPU greatly lowers its
>     >     temperature,
>     >     > When The Case Is Open!)
>     >     >  
>     >     >
>     >     >     CONCLUSION: the RPi 3 B+ appears to be a real winner in
>     CPU-intensive
>     >     >     conditions, even in a "wintry" conditions (room is about 15C,
>     and it
>     >     >     continues to snow right outside the window).  The RPi 3 CPU is
>     >     supposed to
>     >     >     self-throttle at 80C, until it just about turns itself off at
>     85C. 
>     >     I'd
>     >     >     assume the RPi 3 B+ CPU does the same?  But do not know for
>     sure. 
>     >     Thanks
>     >     >     to all who can add any similar data points, in warmer climate/
>     >     conditions.
>     >     >
>     >     >     CLARIFS:  Both RPi's were running a near-final prerelease of
>     >     >     Internet-in-a-Box 6.5 on Raspbian Lite to explore real-world
>     >     conditions.  
>     >     >     I waited 10+ min in all above 8 experiments before taking
>     "steady
>     >     state"
>     >     >     temp readings.  Still, fluctuations in CPU activity (and
>     temperature)
>     >     >     arise, even long after I ran "killall yes" to end the most
>     intensive
>     >     CPU
>     >     >     activity.
>     >     >
>     >     >         3) Prelim thermal analysis of RPi 3 B+:
>     >     >
>     >     >         [3][6][8]https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/
>     1*0jU89Yu_
>     >     6miI-CODB
>     >     >         MuHAw.png
>     >     >         [4][7][9]https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
>     >     raspberry-pi
>     >     >         -3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
>     >     >
>     >     >         --
>     >     >         [5]
>     >     >         [6]Unsung Heroes of OLPC, interviewed live @ [7][8]http://
>     >     [10]unleashkids.org
>     >     >         !
>     >     >
>     >     >         --
>     >     >         Unsung Heroes of OLPC, interviewed live @ [8][9]http://
>     >     [11]unleashkids.org !
>     >     >
>     >     >
>     >     > References:
>     >     >
>     >     > [1] mailto:[10][12]holt at laptop.org
>     >     > [2] mailto:[11][13]holt at laptop.org
>     >     > [3] [12][14]https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*0jU89Yu_
>     6miI-
>     >     CODBMuHAw.png
>     >     > [4] [13][15]https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
>     >     raspberry-pi-3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
>     >     > [5] [14][16]https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
>     >     raspberry-pi-3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
>     >     > [6] [15][17]https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
>     >     raspberry-pi-3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
>     >     > [7] [16][18]http://unleashkids.org/
>     >     > [8] [17][19]http://unleashkids.org/
>     >
>     >     > _______________________________________________
>     >     > Server-devel mailing list
>     >     > [18][20]Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
>     >     > [19][21]http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
>     >
>     >     --
>     >     James Cameron
>     >     [20][22]http://quozl.netrek.org/
>     >     _______________________________________________
>     >     Server-devel mailing list
>     >     [21][23]Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
>     >     [22][24]http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
>     >
>     > --
>     > Unsung Heroes of OLPC, interviewed live @ [23][25]http://unleashkids.org
>     !
>     >
>     > References:
>     >
>     > [1] mailto:[26]quozl at laptop.org
>     > [2] mailto:[27]holt at laptop.org
>     > [3] mailto:[28]holt at laptop.org
>     > [4] [29]http://www.bestofjay.com/w/raspberry-pi-3-overclock-heat-
>     test-flirc-case-vs-canakit-heatsink/
>     > [5] [30]http://11986-presscdn-0-77.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/
>     uploads/2016/04/heat-sinks-installed.jpg
>     > [6] [31]https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*0jU89Yu_6miI-CODB
>     > [7] [32]https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-raspberry-pi
>     > [8] [33]http://unleashkids.org/
>     > [9] [34]http://unleashkids.org/
>     > [10] mailto:[35]holt at laptop.org
>     > [11] mailto:[36]holt at laptop.org
>     > [12] [37]https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*0jU89Yu_6miI-
>     CODBMuHAw.png
>     > [13] [38]https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
>     raspberry-pi-3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
>     > [14] [39]https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
>     raspberry-pi-3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
>     > [15] [40]https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
>     raspberry-pi-3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
>     > [16] [41]http://unleashkids.org/
>     > [17] [42]http://unleashkids.org/
>     > [18] mailto:[43]Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
>     > [19] [44]http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
>     > [20] [45]http://quozl.netrek.org/
>     > [21] mailto:[46]Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
>     > [22] [47]http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
>     > [23] [48]http://unleashkids.org/
> 
>     > _______________________________________________
>     > Server-devel mailing list
>     > [49]Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
>     > [50]http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> 
>     --
>     James Cameron
>     [51]http://quozl.netrek.org/
>     _______________________________________________
>     Server-devel mailing list
>     [52]Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
>     [53]http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> 
>     --
>     [54]
>     [55]Unsung Heroes of OLPC, interviewed live @ [56]http://unleashkids.org !
> 
> References:
> 
> [1] mailto:quozl at laptop.org
> [2] mailto:quozl at laptop.org
> [3] mailto:holt at laptop.org
> [4] mailto:holt at laptop.org
> [5] http://www.bestofjay.com/w/
> [6] http://11986-presscdn-0-77.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/
> [7] https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/raspberry-pi-3-model-bplus-sale-now-35/
> [8] https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*0jU89Yu_
> [9] https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
> [10] http://unleashkids.org/
> [11] http://unleashkids.org/
> [12] mailto:holt at laptop.org
> [13] mailto:holt at laptop.org
> [14] https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*0jU89Yu_6miI-
> [15] https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
> [16] https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
> [17] https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-
> [18] http://unleashkids.org/
> [19] http://unleashkids.org/
> [20] mailto:Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
> [21] http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> [22] http://quozl.netrek.org/
> [23] mailto:Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
> [24] http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> [25] http://unleashkids.org/
> [26] mailto:quozl at laptop.org
> [27] mailto:holt at laptop.org
> [28] mailto:holt at laptop.org
> [29] http://www.bestofjay.com/w/raspberry-pi-3-overclock-heat-test-flirc-case-vs-canakit-heatsink/
> [30] http://11986-presscdn-0-77.pagely.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/heat-sinks-installed.jpg
> [31] https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*0jU89Yu_6miI-CODB
> [32] https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-raspberry-pi
> [33] http://unleashkids.org/
> [34] http://unleashkids.org/
> [35] mailto:holt at laptop.org
> [36] mailto:holt at laptop.org
> [37] https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1600/1*0jU89Yu_6miI-CODBMuHAw.png
> [38] https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-raspberry-pi-3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
> [39] https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-raspberry-pi-3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
> [40] https://medium.com/@ghalfacree/benchmarking-the-raspberry-pi-3-b-plus-44122cf3d806
> [41] http://unleashkids.org/
> [42] http://unleashkids.org/
> [43] mailto:Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
> [44] http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> [45] http://quozl.netrek.org/
> [46] mailto:Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
> [47] http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> [48] http://unleashkids.org/
> [49] mailto:Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
> [50] http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> [51] http://quozl.netrek.org/
> [52] mailto:Server-devel at lists.laptop.org
> [53] http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> [54] http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> [55] http://lists.laptop.org/listinfo/server-devel
> [56] http://unleashkids.org/

> _______________________________________________
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-- 
James Cameron
http://quozl.netrek.org/


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