Low Noise Level Fan For Supermicro Chassis CSE-512L

[FasTrak]

Hi

I have my network rack in a small lumber room on the 1 floor but the server is so loud (60DB) that I can hear it down below

Any suggestions for a low noise fan? Or can I use a couple 40x40mm fans will it provide enough air flow?

Picture of the server inside

[jasonlitka]

What kind of CPU is that?

[FasTrak]

AMD Opteron 148 2.26 GHz MB Supermicro H8SLL-i Socket 939

[BeerCan]

get something that will reduce the fan speed to a suitable level.  You cold solder in a resistor or get something like this
http://www.amazon.com/Manual-Variable-Speed-controller-connector/dp/B002D3DK1I
http://www.amazon.com/Manual-Variable-Speed-controller-connector/dp/B002PNFEM4/ref=pd_sim_pc_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=1ZPPAPS27R0T5C7HH2V0

Make sure you get a controller with the correct connectors.

[stephenw10]

Just had to google 'lumber room' as my first thought was something similar to a wood shed! I assume it's some storage area (is that common terminology?). If it's an attic area does it get hot in summer? If you make any mods to the cooling system make sure you can monitor the system temps and that you load test it.

Steve

[FasTrak]

Yes, I believe you call it a small storage area room is not an attic is fully insulated small room 1,7m x 1,8m

[jasonlitka]

@FasTrak:

AMD Opteron 148 2.26 GHz MB Supermicro H8SLL-i Socket 939

I don't think you could cool that with a couple 40mm fans, at least not under load.

If that fan plugs into the motherboard with a standard 3-pin connector then your best bet would be something like a Zalman Fan Mate 2.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118217

[FasTrak]

I just found a setting in the bios called (server mode) it took 500 RPM of the fan speed.
Will try to see if this is not good enough or I will try to buy such a Zalman Fan Mate 2

Thanks for the link Jason Litka

[stephenw10]

I was just going to suggest something similar. It would be surprising not to find some thermal fan control on the board. I'm having difficulty finding a manual for it though. The board specs suggest it might.

Steve

[stephenw10]

Ok, found a manual.
Unfortunately it's still somewhat ambiguous. There appear to be two relevant settings but I would try using the 'workstation' profile, probably quieter than server, and 3-pin since your only fan appears to be 3pin.
Is the box mounted in a rack? If you have space above it you could probably improve the cooling considerably and make it quieter by fitting a much larger fan to the top panel above the heatsink. The existing cooling doesn't look great, you appear to have just one fan that blows across the heatsink (plus whatever is in the PSU). There are no fans extracting the hot air and no ducting after the heatsink to stop hot air being recirculated into the box. You have two full sized HDs and an 85W TDP processor that doesn't support any power saving.There seems to be quite a lot of room for improvement.  ;)

Steve