HP SAS expander overheating

[mredz]

I suspect my HP SAS expander is overheating. I sometimes have intermittent storage system drop outs. It seems to happen more when the server is under load.
Has anyone experienced this problem at all?

 

[mwroobel]

The HP SAS expander is designed to be installed in a Proliant server, which has a wind-tunnel of cooling at all times. If you are just sticking it in a home or office built box you most likely do not have the neccessary amount of cooling for the card. You can either increase your cooling of the box itself, or you can actively cool the card.

 

[mredz]

mwroobel: Thanks I think that was the answer that I needed. Have you got a suggestion for active cooling?

 

[bigdogchris]

I haven't worked with an HP in a while but check to see if there is a way to increase the fan speed in the BIOS or HP Storage Manager.

 

[ND40oz]

I haven't worked with an HP in a while but check to see if there is a way to increase the fan speed in the BIOS or HP Storage Manager.

It's a passively cooled card, you need to add a fan for active cooling.

OP, I believe some people were using a 40x40x10 like this one for it: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835119049

 

[DeChache]

I usually rig a 120mm fan above sas expander and raid cards in a home environment.

Quiet and effective

 

[mredz]

DeCharche, I'm thinking that may well be what I have to do but I'd prefer to maintain airflow from front to back if possible and attach a fan either in parallel to the SAS expander or directly onto the heatsink

 

[ND40oz]

The 40x40x10mm fan screws directly onto the heatsink, the screws just thread between the heatsink fins.

 

[DeChache]

DeCharche, I'm thinking that may well be what I have to do but I'd prefer to maintain airflow from front to back if possible and attach a fan either in parallel to the SAS expander or directly onto the heatsink

I actually saw lower temps in the case after putting the 120s in because it cooled off the cards and removed a big heat source. But I have the fans all but directly on the cards so they are not affect airflow much.

The 40x40x10mm fan screws directly onto the heatsink, the screws just thread between the heatsink fins.

I'll just add I've never found a 40mm fan that didn't have a whine to it.

My server rack is right by my desk so I go to great lengths to make everything quiet

 

[omniscence]

I use a Noiseblocker Black Silent 40mm fan on the LSI controller of my X10SL7-F. I found that fan to almost completely silent even at stock speeds (3600rpm).

 

[mredz]

Yes my problem was the SAS expander overheating. It has been resolved by attaching a 40mm fan onto the heatsink as advised by mwroobel & ND40oz. Thanks guys! and to all others who posted.