60mm case fans

DogsBody · 5 Dec 2011 at 12:48

I bought a Dell poweredge server and it is NOISY.

it has 7 60 mm fans in total, 2 rear exhaust fans
•Fan Size: 60 x 60 x 38 mm
•Motor Type: DC Brushless
•Air Flow: 50.2 CFM

and the other 5 are as follows
•Fan Speed: 6800 RPM
•Air Flow: 38.35 CFM
•Noise Level: 46.5 dBA
•Fan Dimensions: 60 x 60 x 25 mm

The 2 rear fans are definitely noiser.

I want to replace them all with something that isn't quite so noisy.
They absolutely HAVE to be 3 pin as well, the server monitors fan speed and as soon as one fan is unplugged it speeds up the 2 rear fans and as these are Delta "screamers" you can imagine the noise.

I want to keep the airflow as high as possible and I am not looking for a silent solution just a noise reduction overall.
If I can use other fans rather than deltas that would also be good as they are very whiney fans and the noise is quite annoying.

The server will be stored in a cupboard so a lot of the noise is negated but it is still noisy enough to be heard outside that room.

Thanks
James

[EDIT]
Think I have found the spec of the 2 rear fans

•Fan Type: 60mm Axial Fan
•Fan Size: 60 x 60 x 38 mm
•Rotation Speed: 8000 rpm
•Noise Level: 54.5dBA
•Airflow: 50.15 CFM

They are Delta EHE which explains why they are so damn loud

Grimley · 5 Dec 2011 at 20:21

Thought about getting a Fan controller instead of replacing the fans?

DogsBody · 6 Dec 2011 at 01:38

2 issues with a fan controller,
these fans are quite whiney and reducing the speed will reduce the noise without doubt however I feel I can probably get better performance/noise ratio from another vendor.
2nd these fans have a propriertary 4 pin connector to attach them to the motherboard (only 3 pins used) so a fan controller won't be a hell of a lot of use especially as the cable length on the fans literally reaches the motherboard with no excess cable.

Thanks
James

bremen1874 · 6 Dec 2011 at 01:48

What model is it?

With 60mm fans it's presumably a 2U rack mount of some sort. Unless you’ve got a very recent model it’s going to be noisy.

If you replace the fans, or slow them down too much, the on board systems management will probably assume that there’s a hardware fault and sulk.

d_brennen · 6 Dec 2011 at 01:54

Server fans of that size are noisy, your ear drums are an after thought. Move the server somewhere it won't bother you! My switch panel alone (at work) would send you mental in half an hour, let alone the rack. Thankfully I don't work in the same room. Is this at home?

DogsBody · 6 Dec 2011 at 13:15

Hey all,

Right lets answer this lot then.

It is a rackmount 1U/2U server chassis
I don't have it rackmounted but it is in a seperate room to where we are working, however as you know these things are damn noisy and it can still clearly be heard everywhere in the building (small shop) And due to the size of the building I am pretty much out of options as to putting it somewhere else.
This led me to the conclusion that I need quieter fans.

Thanks
James