Nvidia announces ESA

[KarmaKiller]

The ESA spec blends hardware and software to create a framework for monitoring and controlling PC components. On the hardware side, components are equipped with analog sensors to monitor variables such as temperature, voltage, fan speed, and so on. Those sensors hook into an embedded microcontroller that translates their analog output into digital signals reported to the PC over USB. ESA is actually built around the USB specification for human interface devices, or USB HID—the very same spec that governs mice and keyboards—so getting ESA-equipped hardware to converse with your PC should be as easy as plugging in a USB jack.

Sensors and monitoring are only the first part of the ESA equation, though. Nvidia has built sufficient flexibility into the spec to allow ESA devices to be controlled by software. ESA recognition occurs during the system boot process, too, so there's no need to have an operating system running to take advantage of it.

Since compatibility is essential to the ESA equation, Nvidia has proposed that ESA-certified hardware be tagged with an official logo, much like SLI-certified power supplies and motherboards. Certification will be conducted by independent test lab Allion, the same outfit employed by USB, Wi-Fi, PCI Express, HDMI, and Serial ATA standards bodies. However, certification only covers a correct implementation of the ESA spec; it doesn't prescribe which variables should be monitored or require that users be given any additional control over the hardware.

LINKY

So what do you guys think? Being the geek I am, I think this is going to be really cool. Imagine being able to see the actual Output from the PSU itself while running a game, or maybe the temps of the PSU.

I myself like to know what's going on with my system, and this seems like it's the perfect application for that. IF it's implemented the right way of course..

[KarmaKiller]

REVIVING the dead thread.
No one commented when they announced this. But now, they have a test system floating about. And first off, it works! Second, it's freakn sweet if your into tweaking and tuning your system.
LINK

http://techreport.com/r.x/esa-system/cpanel-cpu.jpg

Huh??

http://techreport.com/r.x/esa-system/cpanel-psu.jpg
That's a hole new element there. We've always relied on 3rd party apps to monitor our hardware. Now, the actual piece of hardware itself does the monitoring. IMO, that's a huge step. Especially when it comes to PSU's.
The GUI
http://techreport.com/r.x/esa-system/3d-cpu.jpg

To complement the nForce control panel's vast array of overclocking and hardware tweaking options, Nvidia has created an all-new hardware monitoring app that keeps tabs on system variables tied to standard and ESA components. The monitoring tool has a fancy 3D interface that uses OpenGL and is about as sexy as any system monitoring tool we've seen.

http://techreport.com/r.x/esa-system/monitors.jpg

Individual monitoring windows can be spread throughout the Windows desktop and even banished from the screen with a hot-key combination. Each window provides real-time tracking of the variable associated with it, and you can expand the windows to display little graphs that track variables over time.

Can you tell I'm pumped about this?

SO, Do you guys think this will really impact the market? Or do you think this is all smoke and mirrors?

Hot linked images removed, Karma you know better
-Rich

[cunokyle]

I guess it doesn't seem like a big deal because I have been using software to monitor my stuff for a LONG time. Doesn't seem to be anything new and exciting there to be honest.

You said that we have always relied on third party software to monitor our apps and that it is different now? Maybe I am mistaken...but this still seems to be a software app that is monitoring system information.

[RicheemxX]

I'm with cunokyle on this one, I just don't see anything ground breaking. More wires, more cost, another added piece of hardware in the case just do to something that can already be done . Unless they can somehow provide a greater accuracy than the apps we use now then there really isn't much need??

With each component connected to the motherboard via USB or a hub you'll use up a bunch of usb connections or be forced to add in a hub using up more slots/space. Extra connections and extra controller boxes are also a down side...

[KarmaKiller]

First off, sorry Rich, didn't think about it..

Now in respects to the wiring, thats a good point. More wires are always a PITA when it comes time to try to make a tidy case. But I myself could deal with that, if it allowed me to view every specific piece off hardware, and monitor temps/volts/frequency/etc..
@ Cunkoyle, I guess in a way your still using a third party app, I should have worded that different. But I was trying to get at the sensors, for the most part, are built into the hardware, and the hardware was tuned to use ESA, so it's closer to 2nd party apps I guess.
Regardless, instead of downloading multiple different apps, this is one single piece of software that does it all. So I find that handy. Just one download, and everything on your PC is monitored in real time.

@Richeem, Unless I'm misunderstanding, there will be one centralized hub. Although your right about the wires, if they made this into one hub, there would be no issue taking up extra USB's and such. Again, I may have read wrong, I'm gonna read it again now. So if I'm correct, I wouldn't consider it a major flaw there.
As far as accuracy, I guess that is still up in the air. Tech Reports system seemed to read right. IDK if that will be the case with all newer hardware, but it seems that if it is ESA certified, it would have to read right. Otherwise, the certification would be pointless, no?

I do get what you guys are saying though...

[RicheemxX]

Last paragraph first page covers the USB question, and I'm sure it could very easily be setup to run off a single hub or a single controller unit. So that would be ok and I'm sure it wouldn't take long for any of the case manuf. to jump on adding ina hub that connects to a single onboard header to utilize this.

Since ESA is built around the USB spec, each component must be connected to the motherboard via USB. Internal motherboard headers are the most likely candidates for these connections, but it's possible that they'll fill up fast in systems loaded with ESA components. Fortunately, ESA components can be connected via USB hubs. Some chassis manufacturers are expected to include these hubs in their ESA cases to ease the demand for onboard USB headers.

I'm with you on the fact that it would be nice to have one, centralized piece of software to monitor, OC, control fans and everything. So its probably a step in the right direct.

[ShyguyXPC]

Keep in mind, it would be at least in beginning, for a niche market, as most users, who don't OC, or tweak their PC's or mod them, don't have the slightest clue how to read the information or even use it in any way.

[KarmaKiller]

^True
Think of all the threads that could just be replied with, "Open the ESA software, click the tab, move the slider".
Seriously though, Shyguy hit on a good point. This is only the start off it. No telling where it will go from here. Can you imagine a future where it is better to overclock using software..

One other downside I picked up on the second read through. It seems you have to attach temp sensors for the case temps, and whatnot. Talk about wiring nightmare!!

[ShyguyXPC]

man, that would suck, trying to decide where the optimal places to put the sensors would be, & then try & figure out how to mount them if nothing in area to attach to or whatever LOL...

if they could somehow work it out with any & all nVidia ESA Approved hardware manufacturers to have the sensors mounted in the hardware (in the optimal positions, or have some sort of mounting points in the most common positions) when you buy the stuff, that would/should cut down on much of the wiring nightmare... but only time will tell LOL

[ShyguyXPC]

Haven't read the entire article/s just what was quoted in posts... but after further thinking, I can see some nice potential for it, if nVidia can get the tech out there & accepted, as well as refined, theoretically, you could build a system with all components ESA certified, & not just monitor temps & voltages, but imagine being able to monitor all the chipsets on a mobo, north/south, onboard audio/lan/raid, etc... Hard drives, vid card, sound card, etc etc... not just their temp/voltage settings/levels, etc, but in the case of Hard drives, maybe the rpms, temps, (who knows, maybe even build some sort of diagnostic chips onto the hard drives, to monitor drive fragmentation or detect if there are errors on drives). if used/implemented wisely this tech could be used very effectively to combine diagnostics & tweaking abilities all under one roof, as well as even be used to more effectively determine problem areas & troubleshoot things as well?