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Do Intel® Server Boards work in non-Intel chassis?
We perform thermal testing in some non-Intel chassis, also called "third party" or "reference" chassis.
What is thermal testing?
We install server-related components, set the fans to run at 100% speed, then run several tests that stress the processor and memory. This mimics the type of heat that would build up on normal usage. We monitor the internal temperature of the chassis, and the processors.
What if I don't want my fans to run full speed, all the time?
Intel server boards support 4-wire fan speed control for all chassis and processor fan connections. The Intel® Server Boards also use the temperature sensor on the chassis front panel to determine how fast the fans need to spin. We always recommend using a tested chassis with a front-panel temperature sensor.
What if I make my fans spin slower manually?
Making the fans spin slower than expected will build up heat on the server board, and may void the server board and processor warranty. The server board may shut itself off unexpectedly as a result of overheating to prevent damage. Other symptoms include corrupted data, or physical damage to components. Always follow the posted thermal/mechanical design guides when testing a new chassis or fan setup.
I have an Intel® chassis, but the fans still run full speed.
See Why do my system fan/fans run too high, or too loud?.
My fans run full speed, but only sometimes.
See Fans ramp up and down or fans boost after operating system is loaded.
What is a constrained or an unconstrained thermal profile?
There are additional heat considerations when a chassis is designed to be in a rack with many other chassis. 1U chassis are considered a constrained thermal environment and have reduced cooling capacity. Pedestal chassis normally will not be sharing airflow, or be as densely packed together as rack servers, and can use the unconstrained thermal profile.
Is there a document guide on how to update the field replaceable unit/sensor data record (FRUSDR)information ?
Check the Updating FRUSDR for optimum server performance on Intel® Server Boards/Systems for a quick guide on updating the FRUSDR of the server system.
How to use the FAN PWM (pulse width modulation) offset feature under BIOS setup of S5520- and S5500-based Intel® Server Systems to customize third party or reference chassis fan speed:
In S5520- and S5500-based Intel® Server Systems, Intel added a method to customize fan speed for third party or reference chassis using the FRUSDR utility and BIOS configuration. This provides the flexibility to meet user’s varying cooling request. It is the responsibility of the 3rd party chassis vendor to validate the system against all of the fan profiles. The FRUSDR utility allows a user to select a fan profile depending on the server usage when selecting the "Other" chassis option when running the update. The following additional profiles are provided:
- Maximum fan speed
- Server (pedestal) profile
- Data center (rack mount) profile
- Workstation profile
After setting the fan profile during the FRUSDR update, it is recommended that the FAN PWM offset be configured under BIOS setup > Advanced > System Acoustics & Performance Configuration > Fan PWM Offset. The recommended values are between 0 to 100. This number is added to the calculated PWM value (not really a percentage of the actual fan speed).
If calculated value + offset is >100, then the value set will be 100. (It ignores calculations above 100).
Example 1 (customer wants a little faster FSC- fan speed control): If System Fan Speed control calculates a PWM value of 25 (19h) and the Fan PWM Offset is set to 15 in the BIOS, firmware will program a PWM value 25 + 15 = 40 (28h).
Example 2 (customer wants a much faster FSC): If system FSC calculates a PWM value of 35 (23h) and the Fan PWM Offset is set to 75, and the resulting PWM value is 35 + 75 = 105, but the max PWM value is 100. So the PWM programmed is 100 (64h). Any value >100 will result in programming 100.
This applies to:
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