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Question about server noise

S

swalker08

n00b
Joined
Apr 18, 2011
Messages
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I have a supermicro server that I want to use for my home lab, but it is a bit too noisy for me. Is it possible to replace the fans with quieter ones? This is the model: Supermicro


I got this server for free, so I want to use it if I can.

Thanks
 
In my limited experience, I'd say no. Rack mounted cases are designed for specific fans for their airflow. If you want to have a racked server, you're going to have to deal with the noise. This is why my rack is in my garage :)
 
I live in western WA State, so it doesn't get that warm here. Heat hasn't been an issue at all.
 
Eulogy said:
I live in western WA State, so it doesn't get that warm here. Heat hasn't been an issue at all.
Click to expand...

I live here too and plan on placing my new server in the garage on a ceiling rack.
Was concerned that my garage was fairly warm a couple days last week due to the warm weather we are having.
 
You can usually swap out the fans for quieter ones, though the PSU fans may be the biggest culprits. The fans picked for most servers are based on CFM per dollar, without much consideration for noise. It's certainly possible to still get significant airflow from quieter fans, but it adds to the upfront cost of the server.
 
It's hard to tell from the link what kind of fans are actually in that chassis. If it's just the 80mm fans that are loud I wouldn't worry too much about swapping those out unless it's filled with 16hdds. Some of the bays I've seen also have their own 40mm fans on them, so if there is a slew of those that would obviously add to the noise. Same with the HSF, those sometimes have 60mm fans on them which are far louder than everything else.
 
Yes, you can replace the fans. There are alot of fans that are very very quiet. I agree it could be the PSU fan, but my guess is not. Also, you should make sure you monitor the temps when you make the change.
 
Most of the fans are 80 or 120mm and can either be volt modded or replaced with quieter ones for your home environment. It greatly hinges on the hardware you plan on installing. If you want a 4 socket Xeon Board full of 15k SAS drives, you'll need all the cooling you can get. If you are going to run a single I5-2500t and a handful of Green drives, you can almost remove all of the fans.

I do have to agree with McTurkey that due to having redundant PSUs, the fans will be of very small diameter. Small diameter fans usually create the highest pitched and perceivably most annoying fan noise.
 
bman212121 said:
It's hard to tell from the link what kind of fans are actually in that chassis. If it's just the 80mm fans that are loud I wouldn't worry too much about swapping those out unless it's filled with 16hdds. Some of the bays I've seen also have their own 40mm fans on them, so if there is a slew of those that would obviously add to the noise. Same with the HSF, those sometimes have 60mm fans on them which are far louder than everything else.
Click to expand...

the fans that come in these cases arn't meant for home use, the pitch on the blades move lots of air at a high rpm :( THEY SUCK in other words..

Replace the fans with better ones. I bet that server doesn't get much heat anyways unless you are running it at full load you should be fine. the main 3 fans inside the chassis pull air through the front and out the back. this should be easy to make quieter..
 
Which motherboard is in it?

Some supermicro boards have a section in the bios ( thermal monitoring) where you can select if it has 3pin or 4pin fans... And also change the operating mode from server to workstation.

Which should calm the bastard down some.

If it's some other brand board...

Maybe get some fan speed controllers to go between the orig ans and the motherboard to help you slow the fan speed down some.

Place a wanted ad for some of those Noctua fan adapters...
http://www.dragonsteelmods.com/Images/reviews/noctua-nfp12/resize/noctua-fan7.JPG

Someone will have some leftover from upgrades.

.
 
Stanza33 said:
Which motherboard is in it?

Some supermicro boards have a section in the bios ( thermal monitoring) where you can select if it has 3pin or 4pin fans... And also change the operating mode from server to workstation.

Which should calm the bastard down some.

If it's some other brand board...

Maybe get some fan speed controllers to go between the orig ans and the motherboard to help you slow the fan speed down some.

Place a wanted ad for some of those Noctua fan adapters...
http://www.dragonsteelmods.com/Images/reviews/noctua-nfp12/resize/noctua-fan7.JPG

Someone will have some leftover from upgrades.

.
Click to expand...

Those adapters have resistors in them, HOWEVER they are way to under powered for the super micro fans as they draw to much current. If you really want this thing quiet but still have it move air, change the fans, and then use this.

DSCN0002.JPG


LM317 voltage regulator, it will work perfect. I'm currently "STILL" working on a smd version for servers with fan & noise issues like this one you are dealing with :)
 
I've used that same case with a 3x redundant power supply and I can assure you the fans in the PSU are loud.... if if you try to remove the PSU modules to reduce the noise the "PSU failure" alarm is equally annoying.
 
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