Silent Dell server for SBS install

[PaulGillespie]

I'm needing to install a new SBS2003 in a client's office. The server will be located in an office with people working in it. Due to this i would like a server which is pretty quiet. I've used PowerEdge 840, T300, 1900 and 2900 and these, IMO, are a little too noisey for an office space. Anyone got any experience of the servers a little down the range?

It needs 1 CPU and 4 hard disks.

Any one got any experience of quiet Dells?

Thanks
Paul

 

[wahnula]

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/224058/dell-poweredge-t605.html

forum485 might be a good place to re-ask this question of you get no useful replies here. Oh wait, you already did.

Silence is subjective, especially in the server world, where "quieter than a vacuum cleaner" qualifies as "silent". The usual causes are the system fans and CPU HSF. Replacing the stock fans with larger ones or ones with adjustable speed as well as replacing stock HSF with a quieter aftermarket HSF is the best way to get your acoustic level down, but that might void your warranty, you'll want to check w/ your rep on that issue.

Tony

Users helping Users...

 

[ShackDaddy]

The sound of the server will usually be proportionate to the ambient heat in the room that the server is in. If the room stays cool because the AC is cranked during work hours, any of the servers you mentioned will be RELATIVELY quiet. The warmer the room gets, the louder the fan will get, as it increases its RPMs it will get louder. A hot room will be like running a vacuum in the corner.

That being said, you can't count on finding a quiet server, but you can always put custom fans in. I wonder if the Dell sales channel would have any advice for you on that.

Dave Shackelford
Shackelford Consulting

 

[PaulGillespie]

I've asked Dell already for noise levels and they were unable to supply these details. The 1900 and 2900 are definately too noisey. The T300 and the 840 are marginal. I've used HP ML310s and they are very quiet but i'd rather use Dell as i can get better pricing.

Cheers

Paul

 

[gavm99]

I know you said you would rather use a Dell but I have put in HP ML100 series servers into small open offices and it can't be heard.

Gavin Moorhouse

http://www.lucidcomputersolutions.co.uk

Interested in my personal blog?

http://www.thelucidview.co.uk

 

[PaulGillespie]

Thanks Gav,

I've installed a few ML310s and they are fine. The smaller Dells (equivelent of ML100s) can only take 2 hard disks. I know these servers are quiet but not having an option to install additional disks is not acceptible for me. The ML100s look good though and i might give one a bash if it fits the budget.

Dell give me the option to extent the warranty to 5 years and i don't think HP do this. I don't like running servers out of warranty so Dell is generally my prefferred option.

Cheers

Paul

 

[PHV]

extent the warranty to 5 years and i don't think HP do this
Even with something like HP Care Pack ?

Hope This Helps, PH.
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