Desktop hardware RAID controller cooling

    Some RAID controllers, although not equipped with active cooling, are required, which is usually explicitly indicated in the instructions. For example, Adaptec 6805 has the following restrictions *: 55 ° С without ZMM ** module, 50 ° С with installed ZMM module. In server cases there are no problems with cooling such controllers, and processors can also be equipped only with a radiator, and a powerful air stream for cooling is generated by case fans. In desktop, problems can start ...


    Unfortunately, in the case of assembling the system in a desktop case, cooling the RAID controller is often forgotten. As a result, its temperature quickly goes beyond the permissible limits and glitches can begin: disks fall off, arrays disappear, the system freezes, etc. At the same time, they usually sin on disks, drivers, firmware ... In some cases, prudently do not forget about cooling, but they do it somehow not quite right. I met options with screwing a suitable sized fan to the radiator, as well as hanging the fan on the couplers. In the first version, difficulties may arise with the selection and screwing of a suitable fan, and a goodbye guarantee. Agree that the loss of warranty for a device worth 20,000 rubles is not very reasonable. In the second option, you need to be able to firmly fix the fan,

    There is a more beautiful and convenient solution to the problem with the help of cooling systems for video adapters installed under them in the expansion slot. They can’t cope with the cooling of video cards, which the regular system refused or cannot handle (if only the simplest ones), but they are often suitable for cooling various expansion cards that overheat.




    For myself, I chose (or rather took what was just available in the nearest store) the cooling system shown above. Its advantages include speed control, fan interchangeability, its convenient positioning under the cooled element. By cons - it occupies 2 expansion slots. A plus or minus may be the lack of fixation in the slot on the motherboard. On the one hand, the cooling system can be installed regardless of the type of expansion slot (and its presence) under the card being cooled, on the other hand, the structure is not very rigidly fixed.



    This is how the cooling of the Adaptec 6805 with ZMM looks like. The temperature of the controller is 32-34 ° С (against more than 70 ° С without it). Now the case has been moved to a hotter place (next to the refrigerator compressor) and the temperature has risen to 35-38 ° C, which is still significantly lower than the maximum allowed.

    UPD: It is worth noting that for the controllers of the ASR-6xxx series, there is also the original Adaptec Fan Kit (2275100-R), but its price exceeds all reasonable limits.

    PS This is my first post here. Please do not judge strictly. I understand that I wrote quite obvious things, I just ran into the fact that they are often forgotten about.
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    * - Adaptek’s requirements are a bit strange - restrictions are not set on the temperature of the chip itself, but on the temperature in an inch from it (2.54 cm). It’s strange, because at the same air temperature next to the chip you can have completely different temperatures for it and other card elements, therefore, I prefer to avoid the problems of providing the readings of the built-in temperature sensor no higher than the mentioned restrictions.

    ** - Zero Maintenance Module. The module is based on Flash-memory powered by a super-capacitor, designed to save the contents of the controller cache in non-volatile memory in case of power failure. After power is restored, data from flash memory is copied back to the controller cache. The super-capacitor charges in minutes, allowing the ZMM to quickly return to duty to protect data.

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