CPU Cooling in 3U Server Cases

[Mossy Rock]

I'm considering building a BOINC computing cluster in a tight space. This space will accommodate six 3U chassis, and I'd like to use high-end CPUs like AMD FX-83xx, i7 or Xeon processors in them. I will NOT be overclocking them.

These machines will be running at 100%, 24/7.

These processors run hot at 100%. For example, I'm currently running an AMD FX-8350 at 100%, 24/7, in a full-sized tower case and it takes a large Noctua DH-15 to keep it cool.

Obviously, a DH-15 will not fit in a 3U case. And, watercooling in 3U cases is not an option.

My question is, what kind of CPU cooling solutions are used in 3U cases with hard-working CPUs? I've done a lot of research and I'm finding that CPU coolers that will fit in these restricted spaces are not sufficient to cool these CPUs at full load.

I must be overlooking something. There has to be something that will cool high-end, high-load CPUs in tight server cases otherwise large data centers that has hundreds of these would be constantly having overheating issues.

Thanks.

 

[Kaos_Drem]

I run 2x2697V2's at nearly 100% load for hours on end and honestly can say they run cooler than my single 5820k in my game rig. The 3U chassis is going to be pretty limiting for you though, I think you have to have a max of around 110mm or less, I run these Intel AUPSRCBTP Heat Sink Sets - Newegg.com but have the fan module still.

 

[Mossy Rock]

I run 2x2697V2's at nearly 100% load for hours on end and honestly can say they run cooler than my single 5820k in my game rig. The 3U chassis is going to be pretty limiting for you though, I think you have to have a max of around 110mm or less, I run these Intel AUPSRCBTP Heat Sink Sets - Newegg.com but have the fan module still.

Thanks. It looks like that heatsink is for certain Intel server boards in Intel 4U cases with cooling fans/ductwork designed just for that heatsink.

Does anyone have a working solution for CPUs running maxed out in a 3U case?

 

[KapnK]

Thanks. It looks like that heatsink is for certain Intel server boards in Intel 4U cases with cooling fans/ductwork designed just for that heatsink.

Does anyone have a working solution for CPUs running maxed out in a 3U case?

Socket 2011 narrow
Dynatron R-24 for 2U, 30db
Dynatron R-27 for 3U
Noctua also makes one that is quiet, but likely won't fit well. It's right at the limit for height.

Usually the case back has three 80mm and the HDD backplane has 4 fans of 60-80mm these are usually high pressure fans.

 

[KapnK]

Socket 2011 narrow
Dynatron R-24 for 2U, 30db
Dynatron R-27 for 3U
Noctua also makes one that is quiet, but likely won't fit well. It's right at the limit for height.

Usually the case back has three 80mm and the HDD backplane has 4 fans of 60-80mm these are usually high pressure fans.

Search for this.
Dynatron R27 And R24 Versus Noctua NH-U9DX i4

It should take you to a review

 

[Mossy Rock]

KapnK,

Thanks. I found that review - excellent information!

Researching the Noctua cooler listed there, the NH-U9DX i4, led me to find this one: the Noctua NH-D9L, which will fit a 3U case.

Noctua NH-D9L 92mm SSO2 Low-profile Premium CPU Cooler, NF-A9 PWM Fans - Newegg.com

From the reviews the NH-D9L appears that it will keep a high-end CPU within temperature tolerances at max load. Since the fans are larger and not the small, high-RPM/high-pressure ones, the noise should be tolerable.

I owned an HP DL380 server once that you could actually hear outside my house when it got hot, then it started throttling itself. That made it unsuitable for BOINC crunching and I relegated it to just being a network file server.