Heating/cooling issues with CPU E3-1585 v5- on the MoBo -X11SSV-M4F?

[SecCon]

So I was playing with this server as a testbed for TrueNas Scale when it suddenly hit me with high temps. Not very surprising, since it runs a virtual W10 machine and I gave it as much juice as I could, considering 4 cores and 8 threads.

The machine is in this chassi: SC505-203B | Mini-1U | Chassis | Products | Supermicro
with this Motherboard: X11SSV-M4F | Motherboards | Products | Supermicro
and this CPU: Intel® Xeon® Processor E3-1585 v5 (8M Cache, 3.50 GHz) - Product Specifications | Intel

It seems that SuperMicro sold this as a package and I am not sure whether I can upgrade the CPU or not, due to any custom things they may have done to it. The power is "only" 200 watts. So what do you think? Would it be possible to go v6? https://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Xeon/TYPE-Xeon E3-1500 v6.html

There are other potential limitations, like heat dissipation and amount of RAM, but if i could get a break getting a CPU with more cores, it might be worth it.

 

[SecCon]

.. or maybe I should just get better cooling with an active fan

 

[Jordan Perdue]

That is an embedded system, you can't upgrade the processor. If you have high temps make sure you are using the shroud/duct.

 

[Jordan Perdue]

STH actually did a review on this platform where they mention an active cooler. I don't think the fan would work since you are using a 1u chassis. Put one opposite of the IO? Would be close to the heatsink.

https://www.servethehome.com/supermicro-x11ssv-m4-review-embedded-intel-xeon-e3-1515m-v5-mitx-platform/

 

[SecCon]

OK, see that now. I guess I did not know the CPU was embedded since I did not lift the heatsink. Well, there are a couple of things that can be done, one is replacing the CPU cooling paste and the other to find a placement for a fan closer to the CPU, I already have two active fans in the rear of the chassis, but that is of course not directly by the CPU but a bit behind..
Wish I had the specs for that tower cooling plus fan. Is there no LGA socket that is similar to this BGA1440 socket? Can't find any fans for that

Nice review though..

 

[Jordan Perdue]

I would recommend putting some standard 40mm fans blowing toward the IO shield (from the opposite side). A plastic shroud can direct the air from these fans to the passive heatsink. If you have no air moving over the heatsink I am not surprised the temps are alarming.

 

[SecCon]

For now I reduced cores and threads. Still acceptable guest performance. I need to find that fan, I am not keen about wriggling some plastic in there. Best would be a horizontal like a Dynatron .

Not that one though, but similar.

 

[Jordan Perdue]

These servers were designed to have the air pulled in and directed to the areas that need it via shroud. If you had the server in a 2u sure that would work better.

 

[SecCon]

Well, what can I say, it was built like that by SuperMicro, I did not assemble it. Nor did I remove the fan that can be seen in the review you linked to, since it was not there.

@Rahvin9999, do you per chance have such a fan? I bought the comp from you...

 

[SecCon]

Talked to SuperMicro and it seems I am missing a shroud to channel the flow over the CPU heatsink, and should try turning the rear fans around so they blow in instead of sucking out. Not a lot of room and has to be 40mm but I can get more of those. I will look in to that later this week.

 

[SecCon]

Changed the thread title.

 

[SecCon]

I am getting a sheet of polycarbonate to try to mold and fold something myself.

How hard can it be?

Famous last words

 

[SecCon]

I added two additional Noctua 40mm fans to the rear, and set all 4 to push air in to the chassis, the CPU Heatsink is in front of 3 of those so I am hoping for improvement. Time will tell.

Noctua Fans in the Orange area, pushing air in. Other air flow in the Blue sections


I have no clue what CPU fan is that in the image, but I sure wish I had one. Is probably not an image of the same motherboard anyways...

Pondering blocking the air from entering/exiting anywhere but through the CPU / motherboard area, by blocking air intakes on the HDD front/rear side of the chassis (blue sections of the image).

 

[SecCon]

ok, effect over a couple of days, including a burn-in test that landed at about 40C

Red is about where I added the new fans. I think I can be happy with this for now.