Building a rack mount server, need cooling tips

[Rogue Leader]

Hi guys,

So I've decided to build myself a little Windows 8.1 Pro based 2U rack mount server (I have a server closet in my home basement where the electrical, alarm, 24 port switch, router, cable, etc all goes into). I priced it all out on newegg.com as I am looking to purchase within the next couple of months, and this is what I have so far:

Intel Xeon E3-1220V3
SUPERMICRO MBD-X10SLM-F-O uATX Server Motherboard
Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM ECC Unbuffered DDR3 1600
2x Seagate NAS HDD ST2000VN000 2TB 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s (in RAID 5)
iStarUSA D-213-MATX Black Metal/ Aluminum 2U Rackmount microATX Server Chassis
Athena Power AP-P4ATX60FE 600W Single EPS12V V2.91

Now with all that i need cooling, but obviously I am not going to be pushing this to the limit, its a server, so it won't be overclocked or anythng and low power consumption is a priority as well as quiet. So I would really like it to be as quiet as possible. I think the PSU should be fairly quiet, the case has room for 2 fans, and I assume the CPU doesn't come with a cooler so I would need that. Whats the quietest setup I can do on this? I would just buy someones used 1U/2U server but those things sound like an F-16 at full bore.

This server will be primarily for backing up the household computers, also for streaming data, sharing files within the household, print server, and also to remote access files . I realize I can probably do this cheaper with a cheap NAS, but I like to build and tinker, so this is part functional, part science project.

 

[sadams04]

With that setup you won't be generating much heat. You will need a low profile CPU cooler. Past that just make sure those two fans on the front are set up as intake, and see about adding an exhaust fan to the top. Don't overthink things...

CPU Cooler - http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=67626&vpn=SCBSK%2D2100&manufacture=Scythe
CASE FANS - Look for fans with a dBA is 20 or below for low noise.
PSU - That Athena Power is OK at best. You get what you pay for with a $35 PSU... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151139
CASE - That case supports a standard ATX PS2 unit. Look first toward XFX or Seasonic, then Antec or EVGA.

 

[Saberus]

Asking for a quiet rack server is sometimes a tall order. The chassis can hold 2 80mm fans, I would try to get ones that have the four pin headers and connect them to the fan ports 1 and 2 on the front of the board. There could still be height for a super-short heatsink with a fan, and that can connect in to the fan connector near the 12V power for the CPU. Otherwise look for a passive heatsink no taller than 60mm that can be placed in the flow of the frontside 80mm.

You want the 4 pin fans because they can be dynamically controlled.

I would also recommend installing a baffle between the the PSU and the system board, even if it's some plascore with slits to fit the cabling through, so the flow from the front fans is straight through, and not possibly diverted to the PSU for exhaust which could cause your CPU to bake. If the system board comes with a heat sink and/or plastic baffle sized for a 2U chassis, use it. This will keep the air flowing down over the components that need it. THe better you can optimize the airflow, the quieter it will run.

 

[Rogue Leader]

With that setup you won't be generating much heat. You will need a low profile CPU cooler. Past that just make sure those two fans on the front are set up as intake, and see about adding an exhaust fan to the top. Don't overthink things...

CPU Cooler - http://www.ncixus.com/products/?usaffiliateid=1000031504&sku=67626&vpn=SCBSK%2D2100&manufacture=Scythe
CASE FANS - Look for fans with a dBA is 20 or below for low noise.
PSU - That Athena Power is OK at best. You get what you pay for with a $35 PSU... http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151139
CASE - That case supports a standard ATX PS2 unit. Look first toward XFX or Seasonic, then Antec or EVGA.

Thanks for the reply, that CPU cooler looks nice but doesn't list as being compatible with LGA1150, it does mention 1155 and 1156 so I am assuming that would work? (been out of the build game for a couple years, just want to confirm). Would this do the same? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835705069 or this? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA1YH1GV6802

I've also seen heatsink only fanless setups, would that be a little too brave?

Regarding case fans: any thoughts here?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835226034&ignorebbr=1

Good call on the PSU, I looked closer at the case and it does support a top fan, so the one you suggested will work, thanks!

 

[Rogue Leader]

Asking for a quiet rack server is sometimes a tall order. The chassis can hold 2 80mm fans, I would try to get ones that have the four pin headers and connect them to the fan ports 1 and 2 on the front of the board. There could still be height for a super-short heatsink with a fan, and that can connect in to the fan connector near the 12V power for the CPU. Otherwise look for a passive heatsink no taller than 60mm that can be placed in the flow of the frontside 80mm.

You want the 4 pin fans because they can be dynamically controlled.

I would also recommend installing a baffle between the the PSU and the system board, even if it's some plascore with slits to fit the cabling through, so the flow from the front fans is straight through, and not possibly diverted to the PSU for exhaust which could cause your CPU to bake. If the system board comes with a heat sink and/or plastic baffle sized for a 2U chassis, use it. This will keep the air flowing down over the components that need it. THe better you can optimize the airflow, the quieter it will run.

So you would reccomend a fan like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103071&ignorebbr=1
(I've used cooler master before to good results)

And then maybe if theres no baffle just make one that directs air straight through the case. If I do that then can I use a fanless CPU cooler to cut down on noise? Any suggestions on something that could fit?

 

[Saberus]

Asking for a quiet rack server is sometimes a tall order. The chassis can hold 2 80mm fans, I would try to get ones that have the four pin headers and connect them to the fan ports 1 and 2 on the front of the board. There could still be height for a super-short heatsink with a fan, and that can connect in to the fan connector near the 12V power for the CPU. Otherwise look for a passive heatsink no taller than 60mm that can be placed in the flow of the frontside 80mm.

You want the 4 pin fans because they can be dynamically controlled.

I would also recommend installing a baffle between the the PSU and the system board, even if it's some plascore with slits to fit the cabling through, so the flow from the front fans is straight through, and not possibly diverted to the PSU for exhaust which could cause your CPU to bake. If the system board comes with a heat sink and/or plastic baffle sized for a 2U chassis, use it. This will keep the air flowing down over the components that need it. THe better you can optimize the airflow, the quieter it will run.

So you would reccomend a fan like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103071&ignorebbr=1
(I've used cooler master before to good results)

And then maybe if theres no baffle just make one that directs air straight through the case. If I do that then can I use a fanless CPU cooler to cut down on noise? Any suggestions on something that could fit?

That would work, and if you use those plastic washers it should reduce vibration noise as well.

As far as air baffles, you want plastics that are tolerant to high temperatures, ABS or Lexan can work. Most of the time these are made specific to a chassis/mobo combo, and there aren't really any made for users who mix & match.

But you can make coroplast (Corrugated plastic sheeting, usually made of polypropylene) into a suitable baffle with a bit of cutting. It may not last because the plastic will degrade under high heat over time.

The simplest baffle is the wall between the PSU and the system board, with a few gaps cut in it just big enough for the cables to pass through. Try to have this wall as close to the system board as possible, so the PSU has ventilation on the side if it needs it.

The second simplest is a u shape to divert at least half of each fan over the CPU heatsink, leaving the other halves to cool the other components to the sides of the CPU.

In general, you want to push as much air in the front as you can, so it is forced out the back.

 

[Rogue Leader]

Asking for a quiet rack server is sometimes a tall order. The chassis can hold 2 80mm fans, I would try to get ones that have the four pin headers and connect them to the fan ports 1 and 2 on the front of the board. There could still be height for a super-short heatsink with a fan, and that can connect in to the fan connector near the 12V power for the CPU. Otherwise look for a passive heatsink no taller than 60mm that can be placed in the flow of the frontside 80mm.

You want the 4 pin fans because they can be dynamically controlled.

I would also recommend installing a baffle between the the PSU and the system board, even if it's some plascore with slits to fit the cabling through, so the flow from the front fans is straight through, and not possibly diverted to the PSU for exhaust which could cause your CPU to bake. If the system board comes with a heat sink and/or plastic baffle sized for a 2U chassis, use it. This will keep the air flowing down over the components that need it. THe better you can optimize the airflow, the quieter it will run.

So you would reccomend a fan like this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835103071&ignorebbr=1
(I've used cooler master before to good results)

And then maybe if theres no baffle just make one that directs air straight through the case. If I do that then can I use a fanless CPU cooler to cut down on noise? Any suggestions on something that could fit?

That would work, and if you use those plastic washers it should reduce vibration noise as well.

As far as air baffles, you want plastics that are tolerant to high temperatures, ABS or Lexan can work. Most of the time these are made specific to a chassis/mobo combo, and there aren't really any made for users who mix & match.

But you can make coroplast (Corrugated plastic sheeting, usually made of polypropylene) into a suitable baffle with a bit of cutting. It may not last because the plastic will degrade under high heat over time.

The simplest baffle is the wall between the PSU and the system board, with a few gaps cut in it just big enough for the cables to pass through. Try to have this wall as close to the system board as possible, so the PSU has ventilation on the side if it needs it.

The second simplest is a u shape to divert at least half of each fan over the CPU heatsink, leaving the other halves to cool the other components to the sides of the CPU.

In general, you want to push as much air in the front as you can, so it is forced out the back.

Thanks for the tips, I could probably fashion something out of aluminum or steel to put in there as well. With this setup do you think I could run a fanless heatsink? Any suggestions of one? Most I found are prohibitively large and likely won't fit.

 

[Saberus]

A properly build rack server is the perfect environment for a passive (fanless) heat sink. If you use a metal for the baffle, I would at the least coat the underside with a non-conductive layer if it's going to be resting on any components.

For a 2U server, look for heat sinks 66-ish mm high or less, to give yourself room. SuperMicro has passive heatsinks that are verified compatible with their boards.

A couple others that are passive: http://www.0heat.com/?product_tag=lga1150-2u-passive-heatsink

http://www.dynatron-corp.com/en/product_detail_1.aspx?cv=1-4-281&id=200&in=0

 

[Rogue Leader]

A properly build rack server is the perfect environment for a passive (fanless) heat sink. If you use a metal for the baffle, I would at the least coat the underside with a non-conductive layer if it's going to be resting on any components.

For a 2U server, look for heat sinks 66-ish mm high or less, to give yourself room. SuperMicro has passive heatsinks that are verified compatible with their boards.

A couple others that are passive: http://www.0heat.com/?product_tag=lga1150-2u-passive-heatsink

http://www.dynatron-corp.com/en/product_detail_1.aspx?cv=1-4-281&id=200&in=0

Great, just what I was looking for. That dynatron one is only $27 on amazon as well.

I'll see if I can get some heat resistant plastic instead, probably easier to make the baffle for the PSU with that.

Thanks again for your help!