NUC8i5BEH: Replacing the fan

[Trial-Member]

I would like to replace the fan of one of my NUC8i5BEH. The "loud fan" is a real long runner in the forum here.

With all efforts to find acceptable values via BIOS settings: When the fan revs up, it produces a relatively high frequency sound. That realy annoys!

Since it is not an option for me to send the device in and wait weeks for a replacement or repair, I would like to replace the fan. Has anyone done that and found a suitable fan?

[AlHill]

Have you updated the BIOS?

My experience with a replacement NUC with fan problems is one week.

Doc

[Trial-Member]

Hi Doc,

I am not sure where the BIOS Version can change the frequency of the Fan. Its not about that the Fan speed up to soon (we all know that the NUCs have this issue since years and Intel is unable to fix it as they prefer design before functionality). I am planning to replace the Fan because its frequency (its like a constant beepiung sound depending on the rpm of the Fan).

[Trial-Member]

One more thing:

I would prefer if Intel would send a NUC in advance (so that the customer only has to move the SSDs and RAM before sending the "old" unit to Intel).

[LeonWaksman]

It look to me that they have the replacement fan, however, will be this fan less noisy?

Leon

[Trial-Member]

Hi LWAKSMAN,

Thanks! Now that I have the EAN I can look to find a Shop in Germany (or maybe order it in NL).

I hope that the replacement Fan is less noisy since my Fan makes a really annoing sound when it comes to a range of rpm.

I have a second NUC8i5BEH here ... and this is silent (and the fan is almost not hearable during normal use of the NUC) with the same BIOS (0077) and settings.

When I bought the units I thought the NUCs would be silent (I have a NUC6CAYS in my bedroom and this is dead silent!). Last but not least I have a ZBOX here. This has a constant Fan, but it is ok to me as it is not changing its speed - and there is no beeping sound even after years of use.

I have tested a NUC8i3BEH from a friend and its quite silent compared to the i5 model.

I have tested to place an external Fan beside the NUC (hoping that this would help to lower the temperature ... no, it didnt work out.

So my last hope is to replace the Fan - and to be honest I would love to replace it whit a high quality one (e. g. beQuiet!, Pabst etc.). A second option is to transfer the Hardware to anothe case and the third and last option is to throw away this bunch of sh... and buy Hardware from another manufacturer.

[LeonWaksman]

There is also Akasa Thermal Solution. Not the cheapest one, however fanless.

This tutorial may also be interesting for you.

Leon

[Trial-Member]

Thank you very much @LWAKSMAN​!

I had already looked at the case.

But after reading a comment in the review I was a bit skeptical. At least one user reports that he experienced two overheated boards.

[Trial-Member]

I have checked the BoardIDs of my two NUC8i5BEH.

One has J72692-303 and the second (which is more quiet) has J72692-306.

Wondering if this has any impact to the behavior of the Fan.

(Newertheless, the Fan of NUC one has a bad frequency)

[AlHill]

the difference in those AA numbers ( 303 and 306) are engineering/product changes. Good luck trying to find out what the changes were.

As I said earlier, a replacement NUC is the way to go.

Doc