Dell Workstation Owners Club

[Cyber Akuma]

I see yes these are relatively weak fans (which is standard) imagine the dell ones are 18 watts each on the front so you can do the math what that equates at full power. What cfm do they have your fans is it around 20-30 cfm each? The idea is 1) to get fresh air in so that your gpu can operate on cool air 2) to get the hot air out. The front down dell fan provides cool air that goes out from the vents below the gpu and sucked into the gpu. The back exhaust fan will push the hot air out as it rises and this fan needs to operate independently of the cpu and at good speed. Mine runs at 3000 rpm basic Arctic and is connected to the sata cable I mentioned cfm around 23 (all the time) I do not know if you plugging it into the cpu drops the speed/cfm. The addional 2 dell front fans increase the pressure inside the case and this leads to higher exhaust speed from vents at the top and helping the back fan. It's like blowing into a tube to get you the idea. Also i have remove the rm shrouds to combine pressure from all fans.The fact that the machine is not wide means less airflow to increase the pressure and this works well.
Curious if you give it a shot with the configuration told you how it performs. As I told I have good temps in both of my systems and particularly I am running a higher tdp card than yours and an overclocked processor.


Yes the latest available version a34 has and probably a couple versions back but I heard the original did not have it. So bios needs updating from the dell website.

Also I assume you have the machine upright like a tower as otherwise the thermals would probably be wrong as you need to capture the air that rises otherwise would be on the side as you said and probably confined there.

The top 120m fan acts as an exhaust and is positioned over the area of the GPU that otherwise would be blasting air against the side of the case, and the bottom two 60mm fans act as an intake to blow fresh air towards the GPU's intake fans.

And I should be on A29, which was the last BIOS released for this system in 2019, I don't recall options to control the fans, only to test them.

 

[sk111]

The top 120m fan acts as an exhaust and is positioned over the area of the GPU that otherwise would be blasting air against the side of the case, and the bottom two 60mm fans act as an intake to blow fresh air towards the GPU's intake fans.

And I should be on A29, which was the last BIOS released for this system in 2019, I don't recall options to control the fans, only to test them.

OK since you have done it already and works for you that's totally fine. I am thinking for my 1660v3 system with the rtx 3080 to cut a hole in the acrylic side and put a 12cm fan to blow air over the VRMs or if I place smaller fan just behind the cpu for the vrm to have as extra exhaust the 12cm. For my other system where I have the same tdp card as yours rx 6650xt it works well for me as it is with just the exhaust fan.
Here is a link to the latest dell bios A34 that has the fan speed control if you want to have a play around. To add this also has NVME boot support. I think the previous version did not have it so good if you upgrade to NVME as I did.

Dell Precision Workstation T5810 System BIOS | Driver Details | Dell US

 

[Cyber Akuma]

If it helps, here's some pictures with short descriptions of what I did:

http://imgur.com/a/hF2S0b5

Also if that was the latest BIOS and it was released in 2020 I likely have it, one of the first things I did when I got the system sometime around 2022 was update it's BIOS and TPM, also I am running it off a NVME using a PCIe adapter card.

 

[sk111]

If it helps, here's some pictures with short descriptions of what I did:

http://imgur.com/a/hF2S0b5

Also if that was the latest BIOS and it was released in 2020 I likely have it, one of the first things I did when I got the system sometime around 2022 was update it's BIOS and TPM, also I am running it off a NVME using a PCIe adapter card.

Looks good and very detailed. One thing I would do (and have done in mine) is get rid off that vertical GPU support at the back of the panel as it is restricting and some gpus may not even fit. The other thing is the exhaust top would not make it cpu temp dependent as some games may not be demanding on the cpu but demanding on the GPU so you would be better of at constant airflow (that's my setup). If you have the bios the fan speed control is under Power Management. Also I think getting rid off the ram shrouds probably better as they will move more air from above the GPU to the back fan. The fan placement over the GPU looking good. By the way how did you cut the holes on the side panel? I am planning to use an acrylic side panel like in my first PC but would be interested in testing that possibility too.

 

[Cyber Akuma]

The other thing is the exhaust top would not make it cpu temp dependent as some games may not be demanding on the cpu but demanding on the GPU so you would be better of at constant airflow (that's my setup).

I was mostly depending on the rear fan to get rid of the CPU's heat and any other heat that rises up there. I noticed that the CPU cooler was mostly just dumping hot air in the back of the case that just stayed there so I wanted the fan connected to the CPU to pull it out of the case entirely, was depending on other fans to cool the GPU. My previous GPUS by chance exhausted air out the BACK, so I was not prepared when I realized the GPU I put in the T5810 was exhausting air out the side, the side panel originally got do hot before I put those fans in that it could nearly become too hot to touch.

If you have the bios the fan speed control is under Power Management.

I don't suppose it would let me bind the fans to GPU temperature? Not sure what else I can really set them to to help the GPU other than just crank them up, but I am pretty sure the fans I put on the side are doing a lot more work than the front fans in cooling the GPU (Also the NVMEs, that purple card you see above the GPU holds two NVMEs, one for the OS and one for the games, I have since put heatsinks on them too, though I doubt Gen 3 NVMEs will get that hot).

Also I think getting rid off the ram shrouds probably better as they will move more air from above the GPU to the back fan. The fan placement over the GPU looking good.

You sure? The shrouds seem designed to direct the air across components do it doesn't just blow around randomly. I saw notches in the shrouds so the air also hits the CPU and the GPU/NVME card.

By the way how did you cut the holes on the side panel? I am planning to use an acrylic side panel like in my first PC but would be interested in testing that possibility too.

For the fans themselves I used hole saws, and for the screws I just used drill bits designed for metal. Specifically I used these hole saws:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PDVT355

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GZGJXT4

Just, don't make the same mistake I did. Notice those are 120mm and 60mm hole saws. I figured "Ok, so I am installing a 120mm and 60mm fans, so I should get a 120 and 60mm hole saw, easy!" forgetting that 120/66mm is the size of the entire fan casing itself, not just the blades. I should have measured how large the part with the blades is and gotten ones in that size, not like if it's a few mm larger or smaller than the fan area will have any real effect. The holes ended up being too big, which while not a huge problem, made it a very VERY close shave putting the screw holes on the part where the 60mm fans rest against the 120mm fans without entirely breaking off that part of the side panel.

I didn't drill them in one go either, those things can get hot, so I drilled for a few seconds, let it cool continued, etc. Also it's very easy to get the pilot hole wrong or lose your grip. I was careful not to let that happen but I knew if I wasn't the hole saw would jump out and ruin the side panel all over. I was doing a LOT of measuring before finally drilling since it's not like I had another if I screwed it up. I also had magnets attached around to catch the metal shavings as I drilled in.

Also afterwards I sanded the holes to remove any burrs and unevenness then used a sealing paint over the holes, screw holes too, to both seal the now exposed inner metal from corrosion and to bind down any loose metal shavings I might have missed so they don't end up in the system and short out something.

I miss side-fans, my main PC is still using a very old case called a Cooler Master HAF X, thing is a monster with 200mm fans all over it (and a slightly proprietary 230mm fan in front, was not easy to find another when I had to replace it, especially since then I was trying to go for an RGB fan instead of the standard one it had), but most importantly, a 200mm intake fan on the side. Cools both my GPU and RAID card very well, the RAID card gives me temperature warnings for it's on-board battery without the fan... though with modern massive GPUs I have had to remove the shroud that was originally on the inside of the side-fan... had to remove the HDD fan shroud too because of said GPUs. Nowadays cases all look like glass aquariums, I am sure a side-fan would still work on glass, but I am getting the case makers don't want to ruin the aesthetics for practicality... (Then again, I am a weirdo who still puts optical drives in my systems)

 

[sk111]

I was mostly depending on the rear fan to get rid of the CPU's heat and any other heat that rises up there. I noticed that the CPU cooler was mostly just dumping hot air in the back of the case that just stayed there so I wanted the fan connected to the CPU to pull it out of the case entirely, was depending on other fans to cool the GPU. My previous GPUS by chance exhausted air out the BACK, so I was not prepared when I realized the GPU I put in the T5810 was exhausting air out the side, the side panel originally got do hot before I put those fans in that it could nearly become too hot to touch.

I think your side panel was becoming hot because you still have that bracket that touches on the GPU. I have removed it as it clears up space on the side too. But may be GPU design. I have 2 GPUs and the side is barely warm. Eg running stress tests on the 3080 at 350 watts did nothing to even warm up the case and at normal gaming the GPU reports a cool 50 C - 60 C at intense gaming it may go 65.

I don't suppose it would let me bind the fans to GPU temperature? Not sure what else I can really set them to to help the GPU other than just crank them up, but I am pretty sure the fans I put on the side are doing a lot more work than the front fans in cooling the GPU (Also the NVMEs, that purple card you see above the GPU holds two NVMEs, one for the OS and one for the games, I have since put heatsinks on them too, though I doubt Gen 3 NVMEs will get that hot).

You have already done the work now with the side fans so thats fine and nice design. But someone else may just increase the front fan speed and add a single back fan and probably be enough but maybe it is a gpu design.

You sure? The shrouds seem designed to direct the air across components do it doesn't just blow around randomly. I saw notches in the shrouds so the air also hits the CPU and the GPU/NVME card.

Yes they are meant to cool the ram where in server setup it would get hot on a 24/7 operation. Gaming is not really warming them much and I have tested that on continuous gaming and by removing them releases the airflow throughout the case.

For the fans themselves I used hole saws, and for the screws I just used drill bits designed for metal. Specifically I used these hole saws:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PDVT355

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07GZGJXT4

Just, don't make the same mistake I did. Notice those are 120mm and 60mm hole saws. I figured "Ok, so I am installing a 120mm and 60mm fans, so I should get a 120 and 60mm hole saw, easy!" forgetting that 120/66mm is the size of the entire fan casing itself, not just the blades. I should have measured how large the part with the blades is and gotten ones in that size, not like if it's a few mm larger or smaller than the fan area will have any real effect. The holes ended up being too big, which while not a huge problem, made it a very VERY close shave putting the screw holes on the part where the 60mm fans rest against the 120mm fans without entirely breaking off that part of the side panel.

I didn't drill them in one go either, those things can get hot, so I drilled for a few seconds, let it cool continued, etc. Also it's very easy to get the pilot hole wrong or lose your grip. I was careful not to let that happen but I knew if I wasn't the hole saw would jump out and ruin the side panel all over. I was doing a LOT of measuring before finally drilling since it's not like I had another if I screwed it up. I also had magnets attached around to catch the metal shavings as I drilled in.

Also afterwards I sanded the holes to remove any burrs and unevenness then used a sealing paint over the holes, screw holes too, to both seal the now exposed inner metal from corrosion and to bind down any loose metal shavings I might have missed so they don't end up in the system and short out something.

I miss side-fans, my main PC is still using a very old case called a Cooler Master HAF X, thing is a monster with 200mm fans all over it (and a slightly proprietary 230mm fan in front, was not easy to find another when I had to replace it, especially since then I was trying to go for an RGB fan instead of the standard one it had), but most importantly, a 200mm intake fan on the side. Cools both my GPU and RAID card very well, the RAID card gives me temperature warnings for it's on-board battery without the fan... though with modern massive GPUs I have had to remove the shroud that was originally on the inside of the side-fan... had to remove the HDD fan shroud too because of said GPUs. Nowadays cases all look like glass aquariums, I am sure a side-fan would still work on glass, but I am getting the case makers don't want to ruin the aesthetics for practicality... (Then again, I am a weirdo who still puts optical drives in my systems)

On my new acrylic side cover I already ordered it and instructed the size for a 12cm diameter hole positioned above the vrm. Lets see if it is too large for the 12cm fan I may put a 14cm instead - so far haven't received the side panel or the fan . That drill is a bit expensive just for a single use but I guess nice to have.

 

[Cyber Akuma]

You have already done the work now with the side fans so thats fine and nice design. But someone else may just increase the front fan speed and add a single back fan and probably be enough but maybe it is a gpu design.

Yeah, just a shame that the SATA connector for the fans started interfering with my HDD so now I have to find an alternate way to power them. Have you ever messed with the internal USB slot? I know there is one intended to just load an OS off a flashdrive, but I am wondering if I can power the fans with that, there are adapters to power fans over USB that step up the voltage to 12V. Though brining along the PWM signal will still be an issue.

 

[sk111]

Yeah, just a shame that the SATA connector for the fans started interfering with my HDD so now I have to find an alternate way to power them. Have you ever messed with the internal USB slot? I know there is one intended to just load an OS off a flashdrive, but I am wondering if I can power the fans with that, there are adapters to power fans over USB that step up the voltage to 12V. Though brining along the PWM signal will still be an issue.

Dont think the internal usb will have the power for all these fans. Have you thought about the possibility of an external power supply - just need voltage regulator to align it to 12V and the right wattage.

 

[Cyber Akuma]

Dont think the internal usb will have the power for all these fans. Have you thought about the possibility of an external power supply - just need voltage regulator to align it to 12V and the right wattage.

I really want to avoid having to have an external power going out of the PC just for those fans.