Quieting servers

[Thunderhund]

I just got my first server. It was a HP DL360 G5. I knew servers were loud, but I didn't expect it to be so loud I could hear it from another floor. Does anyone know how I could make the server less intrusive with it's sound while not compromising cooling for a low price?

[Sir Asvald]

5 minutes ago, Thunderhund said:

I just got my first server. It was a HP DL360 G5. I knew servers were loud, but I didn't expect it to be so loud I could hear it from another floor. Does anyone know how I could make the server less intrusive with it's sound while not compromising cooling for a low price?

There is nothing you can do really. I'd suggest selling it and then build one using a 4U rack. 

[Enderman]

Get a server that is 3 or 4U and use standard 80 or 92 or 120mm fans which are quieter.

[Windows7ge]

Unfortunately that uses very small fans and they have to spin fast to move any reasonable volume of air. You could probably install current limiting resistors if you're willing to do some hacking & soldering but other than that there's not much you can do. If you could have the chassis to where it accepts 80mm or 120mm fans you could use bigger fans to move equivalent air at a lower RPM.

[Lurick]

Sell it and get a Dell R610 or R710 which are crazy quiet even in their small form factors, or get a larger server with more standard size fans you can swap out.

[SLAYR]

 

1 minute ago, Windows7ge said:

Unfortunately that uses very small fans and they have to spin fast to move any reasonable volume of air. You could probably install current limiting resistors if you're willing to do some hacking & soldering but other than that there's not much you can do. If you could have the chassis to where it accepts 80mm or 120mm fans you could use bigger fans to move equivalent air at a lower RPM.

Hp also uses proprietary 5pin fans they are awful, my dl160g5 gets up to about  80db just idling. Full load they are 90db. You need earplugs to run the thing.

[Tristn1]

I have come across the same problem but I have 24 dl360 g1, 1 dl360 g4, 1 dl360 g6, 1 dl380 g3, a dell 2950 g3, 2550, 2450, 220s, a sunfire v100, 3 2600 series cisco routers 2 cisco 3200 switches and 1 cisco 2950 switch all on the same rack.

[Smite]

Hack the fans or get a different server. Anything with tiny fans will sound loud as hell. larger foot print servers have larger fans and are quieter.

[Sevilla]

On 7/30/2016 at 1:17 PM, Thunderhund said:

I just got my first server. It was a HP DL360 G5. I knew servers were loud, but I didn't expect it to be so loud I could hear it from another floor. Does anyone know how I could make the server less intrusive with it's sound while not compromising cooling for a low price?

Get a server that isn't a slim rack-mount unit. Remember servers come in desktop PC tower sizes too and benefit from larger quieter fans.