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Analog CPU usage meter

Forum CPU & Components : Power Supplies, PC Cases & Case Mods - Analog CPU usage meter

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Hey guys,

I just finished up a mod of a 1950s radio, that I've been working on for a long time. You can check it out here http://modshop.net/users/shez/rig/farnsworth.

Anywho. What I'd like to do (and this was also mentioned by someone who posted on my rig) is to have a CPU usage meter behind the glass tuner panel. Does anyone have a suggestion how to build one or where to purchase something that might work? I really am clueless how to tackle this particular mod but think it'd be a great final addition to the case.

Thanks!

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The only way to measure CPU use is digitally, so you'll need a digital-to-analog converter port of some sort (maybe there's something in the onboard audio circuitry that you can use) and a program to determine CPU use (core by core or overall, with some sort of smoothing/integration window, maybe 1 second), convert that to the appropriate value in the analog meter's range, and send that value to the digital-to-analog converter. The analog meter would be connected to the DtoA output.

------------------------------ e2160@3GHz: OCing my way to Ubuntuland!
Reply to Mondoman

Heya

Just had a thought about my predicament. Could I wire a volt meter (analog multimeter measuring voltage - preferably with a 0-5v range) to the wires that would usually power the CPU activity LEDs?

I've tested the voltage that powers the LEDs and it maxed out below 5v, so could a mod like that work? More importantly, do analog multi-meters even exist that only measure 0-5vs?

Just a thought.

Reply to Shez

Umm, hate to break it to you but thats a hard drive activity LED, there isnt a CPU activity LED.

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http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3073/2578392638_2827857d10_o.png

Reply to B-Unit

Hehe.

Well the point is really to just have a needle jumping around behind the tuner panel. I honestly couldn't care less about my CPU load

So me not knowing my LEDs aside... would that work?

I'm not sure if they could supply the needed current. In any case, you would have to use a meter that incorporated some sort of time-averaging circuit, because the LEDs are either on or off, not somewhere in between.

------------------------------ e2160@3GHz: OCing my way to Ubuntuland!
Reply to Mondoman

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