Small fan controller? Quieting a noisy ASUS server

[Kremlar]

Just purchased an ASUS RS120-E5/P4 1U server to add to my rack. Even with 4 other servers and an extremely noisy Netgear Gigabit switch, I'm finding the noise from this particular ASUS ear-piercing.

It's not a bad fan or anything. It has 4 tiny 3-pin fans installed. Even with the ASUS "Smart Cooling" option turned on in the BIOS, the fans are extremely noisy running at 10,000RPM. With that option turned off they run at 14,000RPM and are unbearable.

I had some Zalman FanMate 1's kicking around. With these installed on each of the fans, the noise if far more bearable and the BIOS reports they are running at 8000RPM (I'm surrpised the BIOS knows they are running at a reduced speed??).

Though I can fit them in the case, it's an extremely tight fit. I've run some tests and am happy with the resulting temperatures, and much happier with the noise.

Question is - is there anything similar out there that would reduce my fan speeds but with a much smaller footprint so I can fit them more easily in this 1U server?

I tried a SpeedFan program off the web, but it didn't seem able to control the fans.

Thanks in advance...

 

[yh125d]

7v mod?

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=372297

 

[zagood]

Easier than the 7v mod (since they're 3-pin connectors) and a smaller footprint:

10v inline: http://www.svc.com/nrc-1000.html

hmmm...I thought there were more inline options out there. The Noctua LNA or ULNA adapters would be perfect for you, but I don't think you can buy them separate from the fans.

Edit: these are pretty interesting:

http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...nnector.html?tl=g47c17
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...Version.html?tl=g47c17

Looks like there's a new revision but they're out of stock there.

 

[yh125d]

Since they're able to get up to 14k rpm with the quiet option off, that would be them at 12v right? so 10v would still be ~11k, 7v around 8k rpm I think? I think 10v would still be too high for him



(I cant remember if fan RPM is linear with voltage or not)

 

[Red Irish]

I have a Silverstone fan controller than has the option of placing the controller nob on a pci-e slot, outside the case, and the Cool Link fan I have came with a similar device that I use on my cpu cooler. It might be worth your while buying a cheap fan that comes with one of these options.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16811999046

 

[zagood]

Originally posted by: yh125d
Since they're able to get up to 14k rpm with the quiet option off, that would be them at 12v right? so 10v would still be ~11k, 7v around 8k rpm I think? I think 10v would still be too high for him

(I cant remember if fan RPM is linear with voltage or not)

That's about right, and I completely agree...just can't find the inline ones that would really help. The Noctua ones basically reduce voltage to 6v and 9v...the 6v one would be perfect - but like I said, I can't find them anywhere except bundled with a fan.

Worth spending money on a fan to get the controllers?

Here's the cheapest one I can find that has both:
http://bestbyte.net/merchant/m...ode=FA80&Store_Code=BB

Cheapest one that might be useful for other applications:
http://coolpc.com/Noctua-120mm...nic&utm_source=froogle

 

[WoodButcher]

Run them off the 5v line from the PSU if they will start-up, if that will provide enough cooling or use the Scythe 20x 40 mm or 10x 40 fans,. They are both quiet fans at 12v.

 

[Kremlar]

Thanks guys, I will read up on those and give something a shot!

 

[Kremlar]

You guys were right. I tried these cables:
http://www.svc.com/nrc-1000.html

With "smart cooling" on, the fans will not spin with these cables attached.

With "smart cooling" off, the fans spin at about 12K RPM with these cables attached - louder than just hooking them straight up and leaving "smart cool" on.

With Zalman FanMate 1's attached and set to max speed, the fans spin at 8K RPM which is my goal.

I'm curious why the fans do not spin at all with these attached and "smart cooling" on? Not enough voltage?

Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[Modelworks]

I wouldn't use those cables myself without seeing exactly how they are wired. There is no way to drop 2 volts on a fan connector without using extra parts. I'm guessing they have three diodes in line with the 12V, that would give them a 1.8VDC drop.



Smart cooling could be looking for a RPM signal to judge how much voltage it should send. If it gets no RPM signal it could be assuming the fan is not connected sending no voltage. If you know the RPM signal pin is connected when using the cable then you could try starting the fan with your hand to see if the fan starts or the rpm changes. Watch the fingers !

 

[zagood]

You know what, I completely missed the part in your OP where you mentioned you were using smart cooling. My mistake, sorry about that.

In general mixing motherboard fan control with a hardware solution leads to unexpected results. Looks like the Fanmate works for you, of course not really the footprint you're looking for.

Different fans have minimum startup requirements, usually between 4v and 7v.

For the sake of argument let's say your fan RPM scales linearly with voltage...14,000rpm = 12v, 10,000rpm (smart cooling on) = 8.57 volts.

The inline resistor chops about 2v off that, so you're looking at around 6.5v, probably too low for the fans to startup.

The Fanmate at max resists anywhere between 1v-2v. 8,000rpm = 7v, so that's about right, and probably just above the minimum startup voltage for those fans.

Of course, this theory is out the window if the motherboard starts up @ 12v and then smart cool kicks in after the bios loads. Then Modelworks is right on target