Linux – Underclocking graphics card in a Linux Server

If someone was to come to me with exactly what you said, I would assume that something is wrong with the graphics card e.g. it is not "loading" in time.

If the BIOS has a way of choosing the graphics adapter, I would make sure it is set to PCI Express and not auto, but other than this, I suspect that the problem is with the graphics card.

When the gfx card does not initialise the fan on its cooling unit is running, possibly slower than otherwise - but this measurement is by eye and so unreliable.

The fan speed is not constant, it is heat controlled. If the card is not actually being used, it just has power, therefore, the fan will be running at the minimum level.

Negative pressure:

In comparisons the negative pressure is more effective, it just gets dirty easier. Thats nothing a little canned Air can't fix a few times a year though.

Benefits For Negative:

• Good cooling performance for performance-oriented situations
• Amplification of natural convection
• Linear and direct air flow
• Compatible with all direct heat exhaust graphics cards (the ones that blow dissipated heat out of a vent built into the shroud)
• Augments the cooling performance of downward-facing CPU heat sink fans

With positive pressure air in the case could potentially not leave the case, bringing the ambient temp inside the case up above the room's ambient temp.

Update

Per your setup you pointed out:

The GPU itself is relatively neutral. So what you should worry about is how to keep the coolest air in the case. The case air will then pull from the case, and out the back through the GPU shroud and exhaust on the card. Negative pressure would provide on average the coolest air making this still the better option