how to replace heatsink for SUPERMICRO AOC-SAS2LP-MV8

[BonzaiDuck]

Here's the item, for which I've tentatively concluded would work with SATA-III SSDs and HDDs:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16816101792

[More relevant "General Hardware" questions are bolded and italicized below if you want to skip ahead.]

I STILL don't know for absolutely sure whether it meets the SATA-III spec, but people who've purchased it recently are "enthusiastic" about its performance. It requires an x8 PCI-E slot, and someone -- fiddling around -- tried it in an x4 and apparently proved what you'd suspect anyway. I think he simply chose the wrong "x16-sized" slot, because that's what he said in his forum post or customer review.

Folks are using it with FreeBSD and ZFS. I don't need ZFS; I need neither hardware RAID nor software RAID -- a conclusion I've come to after two $300+ hardware RAID controllers and at least three or four of such that don't fit the "hardware" RAID category --with some five RAID configurations that never failed.

I'm going to hope that I can configure this for AHCI-mode drives in a pool, but Win 2012 R2 Essentials offers "Storage Spaces" which seems guaranteed to work with it, if only because customers report success with it.

But since I've taken pains with building my box for cooling, I read where the SuperMicro runs on the hot side, and that the 40mm heatsink attached to it is "easy to upgrade."

I'd just like to have a better idea of HOW to upgrade that heatsink. HOW is it attached? WHICH heatsink or type of heatsink should I look for? COULD I get a generic heatsink of -say- 3" x 8" from the electronics warehouse jobber store and cut it to a desired size? I want to be able to mount a fan -- 40mm or larger -- on the result. I'd think 60mm, 70mm or even possible 80mm could be a possibility.

This could go in "Cases and Cooling" or in "Memory and Storage." But it's still a "General Hardware" issue. I may post my own links in those forums to redirect members here, and I would be indifferent if it gets "managed" from one forum to the other if the forum "foreman" deems it necessary.

Also, I'll link this thread from "Memory and Storage" if anyone has better information on configuration possibilities for this controller card.

 

[Viper GTS]

It attaches via pushpin. There are probably aftermarket powered coolers that use the same pushpin config (you can probably get a very good idea what it is using the PCIe connector for scale). Any thoughts about doing more than that are massive overkill - Those cards are generally designed to go in a server so they expect to have airflow, but something like this should be more than sufficient to make up for the lack of airflow:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1..._Fan_Mount_Spacing.html?tl=g40c21&id=r5cCChZI

[EDIT]My attempt at pixel measurement suggests 60mm, but I'd probably try a 55 - That's a very common size so it wouldn't surprise me at all if it is indeed a 55. A couple mm either way is probably well within the margin of error given the image size I was working with anyway.[/EDIT]

Viper GTS

 

[BonzaiDuck]

It attaches via pushpin. There are probably aftermarket powered coolers that use the same pushpin config (you can probably get a very good idea what it is using the PCIe connector for scale). Any thoughts about doing more than that are massive overkill - Those cards are generally designed to go in a server so they expect to have airflow, but something like this should be more than sufficient to make up for the lack of airflow:

http://www.frozencpu.com/products/1..._Fan_Mount_Spacing.html?tl=g40c21&id=r5cCChZI

[EDIT]My attempt at pixel measurement suggests 60mm, but I'd probably try a 55 - That's a very common size so it wouldn't surprise me at all if it is indeed a 55. A couple mm either way is probably well within the margin of error given the image size I was working with anyway.[/EDIT]

Viper GTS

You are a prince, a scholar and a gentleman! Thanks!

I'm really getting old and rusty. I've come across coolers similar to the one in your link before, and I hadn't looked at the picture close enough to see that it was just a push-pin design. So it would certainly be easy to replace that sucker, and anything with the fan already included as with the item at FrozenCPU would either meet the objective or provide an opportunity to get an even better fan replacement.

In fact, I think I could arrange things so it would run cooler with the replacement heatsink and NO FAN. But at least for the chump-change, I can get something ready-made to fiddle with.

Thanks again, Bro.

UPDATE: Sooner or later, I'll post pictures of my experimental Stacker-830 resurrection for immediate use as server but later intended for an overclocked wonder. But here's what I think I can do with this if I can spare loss of maybe an x1 slot and a PCI slot. I could look at those tall copper or aluminum (blue, gold whatever) chipset heatsinks and see what has 55mm mounting hole spec. Then I need a little piece of Plexi or Lexan tubing just big enough to cover 3/4 if the heatsink spires. This is all going to change, but it's really a minor tedium to eventually put something like this together as "amendments" to my homemade "Sabertooth" duct-plate. And the amendments are likely going to be "additions."

This year's server project may lead to end-of-year's Z170 with a Swiftech H240X2 AiO-for-custom-mod. And it will all fit in this case. But the controller will still get good cooling with a taller heatsink if I can spare the obstruction over slots. Otherwise, one of these such as the FrozenCPU link will probably do just fine.

I should stop dreaming up stuff . . . . The server parts are going to run cool no matter where I put them, but they will be well-provided.

 

[Essence_of_War]

Folks are using it with FreeBSD and ZFS. I don't need ZFS; I need neither hardware RAID nor software RAID
...
I'm going to hope that I can configure this for AHCI-mode drives in a pool, but Win 2012 R2 Essentials offers "Storage Spaces"

I'm a little confused. You're not interested in hardware or software raid, except but you're going to put the drives into a software raid?

Have you taken any measurements, or are you just assuming that this card needs additional cooling? As long as you have decent airflow you shouldnt need to add any additional cooling to a SAS/SATA HBA. It's not like you're overclocking it and you need the headroom.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

I'm a little confused. You're not interested in hardware or software raid, except but you're going to put the drives into a software raid?

Have you taken any measurements, or are you just assuming that this card needs additional cooling? As long as you have decent airflow you shouldnt need to add any additional cooling to a SAS/SATA HBA. It's not like you're overclocking it and you need the headroom.

True to the last paragraph: It likely doesn't need additional cooling. I'm looking at options that could also be "low-hanging fruit."

I'm still planning to post pictures. I needed a case to start building a new server, and I resurrected a Stacker 830. [Don't say "server?! why obsessed with cooling?!" yet. . . ]

Eventually the server parts will go to another case. This was an opportunity to prepare the Stacker as a possible choice for watercooling.

So the project includes use of the CM Crossflow barrel fan, used as exhaust rather than intake. It seemed ideal to attempt building a duct that will pull air from the back of the case across the motherboard and out the Crossflow fan.

The duct will have to be modified for a longer graphics card. In fact, it will need a minor modification for the 6.6"-long SuperMicro SAS/SATA card -- removal of about 1 sq. in. of my Lexan construction.

Whether the server stays where it is, or goes to another case and replaced in the Stacker by a Skylake build, I saw possibilities for modifying the duct just to accommodate enhanced cooling for the controller card.

So I wanted to look at the possibilities. Frankly, I don't think I'll need to do a damn thing to it. I'm just fiddling around, driven by my imagination and obsessiveness.

But it's good to know that I can replace that little hunk of aluminum with a better hunk and a 40mm fan if I desire.

The SuperMicro is touted as a "software RAID" card, with some other features. I really don't want a striped or mirrored array. I want a drive-pool, whether or not it uses 2012 R2's "Storage Spaces." But it at least does the latter. Indications suggest that I MIGHT be able to configure the card for AHCI mode, which would be even better. Maybe I can; maybe I can't; but I expect I can use an 8-port x8 card in an x16 slot.

It's not a $400 RAID card. ~$100 seems to be a good price, even without the $400 hardware RAID features.

 

[rchunter]

AOC-SAS2LP-MV8 is JBOD only.
It should work fine in AHCI mode in a 16x, 8x, or even a 4x pcie slot if you aren't trying to run ssd drives. You shouldn't need a different heat sink imo.