Nuc 11 Extreme NUC11BTMi9 Bios issue

[Decca]

Nuc 11 Beast Canyon not display function key prompts at startup, despite being set in the BIOS.

[LeonWaksman]

This is according to Microsoft Request: not to show the functional key in case that Secure Boot is enabled. Despite the fact that you don't see the F2, F7, F10 prompts, those functions are working.  
I find this also very strange, that you are permitted to enable the functional keys prompt in BIOS, but there are not shown all the time that Secure Boot function in BIOS is enabled, but that how it is in other NUCs also.

So, don't worry, your NUC is OK.

Leon

[Decca]

OK - thank you.

Perhaps you could also help me understand the fan configuration.  According to HWInfo and NUC Software Studio, there is System Fan 1 and System Fan 2.

But there are three exhaust fans. I assume they are System Fan 1. Is this correct?  If so, what is System Fan 2?

Derek

[Decca]

OK, I figured it out. System Fan 1 are the two upper exhaust fans front and rear. System Fan 2 is the center exhaust fan.

Weird - why bother splitting them up like that?

Also, the periodic fan noise that occurs, that is not reflected in any change to the exhaust fan's rpm, is the power supply fan.  This was puzzling me quite a bit!

[Jean_Intel]

Hello @Decca.

Thank you for posting on the Intel️® communities.  

Regarding the fan for the power supply, there is not much to do since there is no way to control this particular fan, as it is controlled by the thermal condition of the PSU. However, I want to check if this s a loud fan noise.

About the fan options on the NUC Software Studio, can you provide me with a screenshot where I can confirm that there are only two fan options available?

Best regards, 

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Decca]

Sure - screenshot as shown

The engineering behind the power supply fan is disappointing. It cycles between zero rpm (so complete silence) and then a fairly prominent (but not terribly noisy) whooshing sound. It is much more audible than the exhaust fans.  I'm assuming it is not faulty, as the unit is brand new.

Derek

[Jean_Intel]

Thank you for the information provided. 

I will proceed to check the issue internally and post back soon with more details.

Best regards,

Jean O. 

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Decca]

Please do.

I really need to know if my power supply fan has a fault. The noise is starting to get annoying. The unit is impressively quiet regarding the cpu fan and the three exhaust fans. When the power supply fan spins up, however, it is substantially louder. This lasts for about 30 seconds, then that fan shuts off. It would be far better if it span constantly at a lower speed.

Are any other users of the NUC 11 or NUC 12 extreme noticing this?

[Decca]

Further information:

The power supply fan seems to kick in every 5 minutes or so and runs for about a minute. This is when doing nothing on the NUC. Monitoring the total system power using HWInfo, there is no increase in system power taking place.

This tells me that either there is component overheating taking place within the PSU (i.e. a fault) or that the PSU is a strange bespoke design with a timer triggering periodic fan activity (surely not!).  Having built many PC systems over the years, I have never encountered a noisy PSU fan like this.

With no other NUC 11 Extreme users commenting here on this issue, they must  be not suffering from this?

[Decca]

...forget to mention - the air being expelled from the PSU is completely cold.

No way to edit these posts?

[n_scott_pearson]

Click on the vertical '...' on the right side of the post's display and select Edit Reply from the menu that is displayed.

...S

[Decca]

Nope - cannot edit post. That option not present...

[Jean_Intel]

Hello @Decca.

Thanks for waiting for a response.

The Intel® NUC Software Studio Service is running as expected since the fans are set in groups. So the exhaust fans on the front and rear of the upper fans are configured in group 1, and the central exhaust fan is set in group 2.

Regarding the PSU fan, I believe that there is no fault on the unit as the noise is for a while and not constant. However, I would like to confirm some information about this behavior:

1. Is there anything obstructing the fan?
2. Is there any sign of physical damage to the unit?
3. Have you tried to clean the PSU Fan?
4. Please send me an audio or video when the PSU fan is being loud.
5. Create a report using the Intel System Support Utility (Intel SSU)  

• Download the Intel SSU (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/18377/25293/intel-system-support-utility-for-window...)
• Open the application and click on "Scan" to see the system and device information. By default, Intel SSU will take you to the "Summary View." 
• Click on the menu where it says: "Summary" to change it to "Detailed View." 
• To save your scan: click on "Next"; then "Save." 

Best Regards,

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Decca]

Hi @Jean_Intel 

Thank you for your response.

I think I will leave it at that. Regarding the PSU, the unit is brand new, and no obstruction to the fan. It is as delivered.  I see no point in sending a video or audio of the noise, as there will be no obvious "baseline" noise profile. All fans make a noise of some sort. The PSU fan is sadly noticeably noisier than the exhaust and CPU fans.

I still find it strange that the PSU fan is kicking in periodically when the unit is idling (I assume you have read my previous posts describing this).

Derek

[Jean_Intel]

Hello @Decca

I understand that you see no point in sending us the audio or video of the noise. However, the audio will help us determine if the noise is under the 'normal spectrum' and even compare it to a similar unit if necessary.

I am looking to hearing from you.

Best regards, 

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Decca]

OK - will do that tomorrow. Getting late now here in the UK!

[Decca]

@Jean_Intel 

Hi

I have attached three files. A video of the NUC when the PSU fan kicks in. The SSU scan result. A screenshot image showing the state of the NUC during the video. The NUC is idling. There are no significant user applications running.

In the video, you can hear a mouse click at the 10 second mark. The PSU fan kicks in at 15 seconds and runs for 85 seconds.

I look forward to your response!

Derek

[Jean_Intel]

Decca.

Thank you for the information provided.  

I will proceed and check the issue internally and post back soon with more details one more time. 

Best regards, 

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Decca

Try setting the Fan Control Mode in the BIOS as "Quiet"; let's see if the outcome solves your noise issue. You can find more information about this process here: (https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005946/intel-nuc.html)

Best regards, 

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician

[Decca]

Hello @Jean_Intel 

I've already been into the BIOS and tried various cooling settings, but nevertheless I tried your suggestion. As expected, it made no difference.

But of course, why would it?  The PSU is a dumb device. There is (I assume) no communication between the PC and the PSU, as you alluded to yourself earlier.

The problem seems to me that there is no fan curve. The PSU fan is either off or running at max rpm (and hence very loud). This is what I would like you to check.  Is it possible that there are different PSU suppliers for this device, some with different fan curves to others?  Do you have the PSU specification and manufacturer?

Derek

[Jean_Intel]

Hello Decca

Thanks for the information you provide me.

Regarding your questions about the PSU, the default model supplied for the Nuc 11 Extreme Kit is the FSP650-57SAB-A 650W. You can check this and find more information about the PSU on the Technical Product Specifications for Intel® NUC Products ( https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000005545/intel-nuc.html). Select the Intel Nuc group for your unit, then select the most accurate option for your Nuc.

I will proceed to check the issue internally and post back soon with more details.

Best regards,

Jean O.  

Intel Customer Support Technician