R550, noise is loud

@DELL-Chris H ​ 

Heya Chris,

Fan's are currently running at 7200rpm...  

Part - 750-ADIN : Standard Fan Cold Swap 2U,V2 x 5

Average ambient temperature 21'c

Peak 26'c.

I do have a BOSS. 

BIOS 1.15.2, iDRAC is on 7.10.70.10  - Which I'll update. 

I've set the profile to "Thermal Profile Optimization Sound Cap"

Bit of an "uh oh".

Regards

Thank you. 

If a BOSS card is installed in the server along with standard FANs, rpm will be on the higher side to counteract the heat generated from the BOSS controller. Adding an additional standard fan will not bring down the noise drastically, but if you want to use the BOSS card the other option we can explore is to upgrade to HPR FANs. Now that won't drastically reduce the fan noise, as the reason for higher fan speed in a BOSS config was due to heat causing issues with the controller, so the iDrac 6.00.30.00 firmware and above increased the fan speed to help with that. 

Let me know if this helps.

I'll try anything... I'm currently sat in the office with the server and everyone is quiet here - So the noise is very noticeable. 

The other office where the other R550 is, has a much louder ambient noise. 

I can record a video from my phone to illustrate - But happy to try options to avoid the ear ache of unhappy staff!

@DELL-Chris H ​ Hey Chris... are you still there? 

Whats the deal with getting these fans ? 

Regards

Hello,

you have to contact sales team or a reseller to have new FANs .

Thanks

@DELL-Marco B​ Any parts numbers for guidance? 

My account manager doesnt really know. 

And I can't see any particular part numbers in the R550 technical guide.

Hi,

the normal way is for your account manager to open a total solution ticket.

@Dell-Martin S​ Well, this is taking a rather long time - and tech support currently believe this noise is normal. 

Hello, you aren't alone! 
I have 3 servers with the same issue. Two of them are absolutly new (R550) (and also with 2,5" drives).

The behavior is weird, sometimes its quite and sometimes its too loud even it's idle (and it's not normal for 100%).

All of the firmwares and drivers are up to date.
We've just downgraded the BIOS within one of these server, but it didn't help.

Hello, I'd ask you to try older iDRAC firmware and if that doesn't fix it, raise an official case with your service tag. This way you can get proper answers relative to your hardware. There's no generalising on fan noise issue.
https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000227912/poweredge-how-to-identify-and-troubleshoot-some-common-causes-of-fan-noise
Your was specifically about two servers different speed with and without BOSS.

 
In plain English, fans will go faster. Same goes for R550.

Respectfully,

This is an issue with iDRACs. Updating to 7.20.10.50 fixed it for us. 

https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-uk/000178115/idrac9-versions-and-release-notes?msockid=201313fc5aab6d290ed100005b8c6c2c

Alternatively, a downgrade can also resolve the issue. 

@JamesSystem3​ 

Interesting. 

Still got the same issue. 

The R760 also appears to suffer with this design flaw. 

But the R540 with a BOSS does not suffer. 

Hello could you send us your service tag please? https://www.dell.com/community/en/direct-messaging