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OnLogic Fanless Computing Whitepaper V2

This document discusses the benefits of fanless computing compared to traditional computers with fans. Fanless computers have lower failure rates and downtime because they have no moving parts like fans that can break. They also have lower operating costs due to reduced maintenance needs and power consumption compared to fanned computers. Some key benefits of fanless computers mentioned are reduced downtime, increased time between failures, lower operating costs, smaller form factors, and quieter operation.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
119 views9 pages

OnLogic Fanless Computing Whitepaper V2

This document discusses the benefits of fanless computing compared to traditional computers with fans. Fanless computers have lower failure rates and downtime because they have no moving parts like fans that can break. They also have lower operating costs due to reduced maintenance needs and power consumption compared to fanned computers. Some key benefits of fanless computers mentioned are reduced downtime, increased time between failures, lower operating costs, smaller form factors, and quieter operation.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Benefits of Fanless Computing

5 Ways Fanless Computers Can Help Your Business

Executive Summary

Digital technologies and the Internet of Things (IoT) have changed the face of business - from manufacturing to
distribution. Factories are increasingly enabling communication between machines, sensors and other devices
resulting in a more integrated, connected approach. This transformation is called Industry 4.0 and has resulted in
a reduced need for manual labor and increased productivity. Industry 4.0 relies on computing power - from idea
conception, to manufacturing, and distribution.

The key to success in Industry 4.0 is mitigating every risk for disruption. Using fanless industrial computers is one
way businesses can mitigate risk. While the upfront cost for a fanless industrial computer can be more expensive
than a commercial off-the-shelf system, fanless computers often provide a lower total cost of ownership, along with
reduced downtime, increased meantime between failures, lower operating costs, smaller form factor, and quieter
operation.

US Office EU Office
Phone: +1 802 861 2300 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com Phone: +31 088 5200 700 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com
Background - How Computers Stay Cool

Quite simply, computer CPUs generate heat and need to be kept cool or they will slow their performance or shut
down. “Thermal Check” is a standard regulatory feature of all computers. This is a temperature threshold at
which the computer will either throttle performance to reduce heat output or completely shut down to protect the
components from melting. To keep a computer cool and prevent thermal check, a computer can be cooled by one
of two means - active cooling (fanned) or passive cooling (fanless).

Active Cooling - Fanned

Active cooling of the CPU and other components is accomplished through the use of a fan inside a computer case
along with vents to allow hot air to escape. Much like a fan inside your house, a computer fan draws cooler air
through vents from the outside into the computer case and expels warm air through vents to the outside. Fans are
also used to move air inside the computer. The air is often directed across a component called a heat sink designed
to dissipate heat. A computer case has to be big enough to allow for circulation and the computer has to be placed
in a location that allows for airflow through the vents.

A fan can introduce dust and dirt into a computer.

US Office EU Office
Phone: +1 802 861 2300 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com Phone: +31 088 5200 700 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com
5 Problems with Fans
1 - They Introduce Dust Inside the Computer
When the fan is running, it not only carries in cool air through the vents, but also
any airborne particulate including dust, pollen, dirt, grease, and insects. Over time,
this particulate builds up and it’s only a matter of time before it begins to cause
problems.

2 - They Can Break


As with any moving part, fans are prone to breakage. They are even more prone to
breakage after they become weighed down with dust and have to work even harder
than normal.

3 - They Are Not Vibration Resistant


Vibrations can wreak havoc on any moving part. Most industrial machines introduce
vibrations into the environment which can loosen connections and cause fan
interference. As computers are pushed even further to the edge including inside
vehicles or in a mine shaft, the need for vibration resistance is paramount.

4 - Fans Need Room to Circulate Air


To ensure airflow in and out of the computer case, a fanned computer has to be
placed in a location that has adequate airflow without blocking the vents. Also to
ensure airflow, most computer cases are full of empty space, making them bigger
and bulkier than their fanless counterparts. For these reasons, computers with fans
lack placement versatility.

5 - They Are Noisy


Fans generate a constant hum which can be problematic in many working
environments. And, the noise can get louder if the fan has to work harder after
being covered in dust or if they get vibrated a little out of place.

US Office EU Office
Phone: +1 802 861 2300 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com Phone: +31 088 5200 700 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com
Passive Cooling - Fanless

Passive cooling keeps the computer cool and running efficiently through clever design and engineering without a
troublesome fan. Using thoughtful thermal design, heat can be directed from sensitive components, such as CPUs
and internal power supplies, to the external body panels of the computer chassis, which serve as a giant heatsink,
with a broad surface area and heat dissipation fins. This design allows for heat to convect and radiate into the
surrounding environment, cooling the system. A good passive cooling design minimizes thermal junctions and
dissipates heat over a broad surface area without a moving fan. Advancements in passive cooling technology have
opened the door for not only fanless cooling, but ventless chassis designs that allow a system to be efficiently
cooled without any openings in the computer enclosure.

Fanless PC Heat Transfer Process

Fanless PC Heat Transfer Process

Chassis dissipates heat into


surrounding air

Heatsink pulls heat away & transfers


to chassis

Heat generating components (CPU,


RAM, wireless card)

Top 5 Benefits of Fanless Computing

Understanding the benefits gained when moving to fanless will help you and your team better weigh the value of
investing in fanless computers.

• Reduced downtime
• Increased meantime between failures
• Lower operating costs
• Smaller form factor
• Quieter operation

US Office EU Office
Phone: +1 802 861 2300 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com Phone: +31 088 5200 700 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com
Reduced Downtime

Most computer downtime is caused by overheating. Eliminate dust and a faulty fan and you’ve eliminated the most
common reasons for overheating.

What is the Cost of Downtime?


In a survey conducted by ITIC a few years ago, 95% of respondents indicated that
a single hour of downtime could cost their business upwards of $100,000.

Increased Meantime Between Failures

The meantime between failures (MTBF) is defined as the length of time a computer will last before it can’t be used
anymore. Removing any moving parts in a computer, like a fan and a rotating hard drive, eliminates the biggest
reason computers fail. Another feature that ensures a long life is a well designed chassis to protect the sensitive
electronics. Your industrial computer chassis should not only be strong, but also ventless to prevent dust ingress
and build up. Read more about mean time between failure in our Understanding MTBF white paper.

Embedded Applications Require Especially Reliable Hardware

Hardware replacement is a fact of life in the IT industry, but for embedded engineers, the prospect of having to
remove and replace a vital component of a much larger project is a daunting proposition. The importance of a
reliable hardware infrastructure is magnified when a PC is stashed within the inner workings of a robot, tucked
into a machine vision system, or buried deep in a mine shaft. Replacing one of these systems isn’t as simple as
unplugging the dead computer and plugging in a new one. If a breakdown necessitates a hardware change, it
might necessitate additional testing, recertification or even product redesign.

US Office EU Office
Phone: +1 802 861 2300 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com Phone: +31 088 5200 700 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com
Lower Operating Costs

By using a fanless computer you can reduce your operating costs by reducing maintenance costs and reducing
power consumption.

Reduced Maintenance Time

• Cleaning dust from PCs is time consuming and can be costly if you have to take the computer offline. Cleaning
dust may also be potentially harmful to your computer components. Whether you clean with canned air or a
vacuum cleaner, the risk factor of damage is great. And, blowing the dust off of PC vents might make your
system look better on the outside, but it’s doing nothing to solve the problem. The reality is that you’re only
relocating the dust from the outside to the inside of your computers.

Reduced Power Consumption

• Fanned desktop computers generally have power supplies in the range of 240 to 650 Watts. These are
integrated in the chassis of the system and due to their power, often need additional cooling from a fan to
get rid of heat generated by the power converted itself. Fanless computers on the other end, can work with
(external) power supplies and adapters in the range of 35 to 80 Watts.
• Power usage is often referred to as kWh, which corresponds with the amount of kiloWatts used when the
device is turned on for 1 hour. Let’s estimate what the power usage for both devices would look like over the
course of a year, assuming they will both be used for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Also, let’s take the low end
of the desktop spectrum and the high end of the power adapter spectrum to get the most realistic comparison:

Fanned Fanless

0.24kW * (8 hours * 5 days * 52 weeks) 0.08kW * (8 hours * 5 days * 52 weeks)


= =
499.2 kWh 166.4 kWh

Bottom line: fanless computers use up to 66% less power

In this scenario, a fanless system with a powerful adapter, uses 66% less power than it’s fanned counterpart
with an “economical” power supply. So we can run 3 fanless systems on the same power usage as we do for
just 1 desktop PC.

US Office EU Office
Phone: +1 802 861 2300 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com Phone: +31 088 5200 700 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com
To put a dollar figure to it, in 2020 the average cost per KWh was $0.13 making the average cost to run a fanned
computer per year about $66. The same cost for a fanless computer would be $22. Multiply that by the number
of computers needed, and that cost per year can quickly add up. Ultimately, the goal for more and more companies
is to become energy-neutral. Going fanless is one impactful step in reducing power consumption.

Smaller Form Factor

Fanless computers are significantly smaller than their commercial counterparts. This small footprint allows for
easy installation including wall mounting or tucking into small spaces. If you have a pre-established small space,
you can most likely find the fanless computer to fit. If you wanted to put a fanned computer in a pre-existing tight
location, you may need to spend time and money reconfiguring a space for adequate ventilation.

Quiet Operation

By their very nature, fans are noisy and become even noisier when they have to work harder when caked in dust or
if the moving components become loose and vibrate against the frame of the computer. This may not be an issue
in a noisy warehouse, but it can certainly become an issue in certain environments like healthcare or entertainment
where a quiet environment is a must.

US Office EU Office
Phone: +1 802 861 2300 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com Phone: +31 088 5200 700 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com
Compare Specifications of a Fanless PC to a Typical Commercial PC

Feature Commercial PC Fanless PC Advantage

Power Input 110~230V 9~48V Less dependency of AC


power/wall socket

Power Consumption 240~650W 35~80W More Power Efficient

Chassis Open Closed Far better ingress


protection

Footprint Size Medium to large (Ultra) small Easy Integration

Volume/dimensions Average SFF around As little as Little real estate required


338 x 379 x 100 mm 1 83 x 116 x 34 mm 2 to implement

Expansion PCIe/SATA mPCIe/mSATA Small sized, solid state


expansion for storage and
connectivity

Storage HDD / SSD M.2/mSATA SSD Solid state system, no


moving parts resulting in
higher reliability

Mounting None VESA, DIN Installation Flexibility

1
Size of HP Elitedesk 800 SFF Fanned desktop computer
2
Size of Logic Supply CL200 USSF Fanless PC

Making the Case for Fanless

In summary, making the business case for fanless hardware is relatively simple. A fanless computer can have a
significant, long term positive impact on your business. By removing the fan, the most common failure point in
computers, you are creating a solution with optimal reliability. While the initial cost for a fanless computer can be
higher than an off-the-shelf computer, the long term benefits far outweigh the initial upfront cost and in the end,
result in a lower total cost of ownership.

US Office EU Office
Phone: +1 802 861 2300 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com Phone: +31 088 5200 700 | Email: [email protected] | www.onlogic.com
Contact
Have more questions about fanless computing? Contact our team to learn more!

US Office EU Office

Phone: +1 802 861 2300 Phone: +31 088 5200 700


Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]
www.onlogic.com www.onlogic.com

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