Noisy fan of NUC8i5BEK (Constant at ~2,200 RMP)

[Jon87]

Hi,

I am finding my new NUC8i5BEK quite noisy. I have tried running a monitor, and the fan is almost always running at app. 2,200 RPM even when the system is idle. I have chosen “quite” as my cooling profile.

Is this normal?

The machine is placed on top of my desk, so nothing is blocking the vents.

I believe I am running a fairly standard/basic setup:

BIOS: 0087

OS: Win 10 Pro

RAM: 2x 8GB HyperX DDR4 2400 Mhz CL14

SSD: Samsung 250 GB 970 Evo Plus NVMe M.2

I hope someone can help.

[n_scott_pearson]

There was an issue with fan control settings not being applied by the EC. This fix was released as part of BIOS 85. You need at least that version installed to overcome this issue.

Hope this helps,

...S

[Jon87]

Thank you for your suggestion. The second thing I did aften installing the SSD and RAM, even before installing my OS, was to update the BIOS to V0087.

[Victor_G_Intel]

Hello Jon87,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

To better assist can you please provide the following information so we can have a better understanding of your issue.

1-Are you currently experiencing the following?

-Grinding noises when the fan spins, like ball bearings going bad

-Knocking and ticking, like a fan blade is hitting something

-Fan squealing

-Loud rattling noise

2-Try to check the RPM of the fan directly in the NUC’s BIOS by following the steps below, and please send us a picture of the results you are getting.

-Press F2 during boot to enter BIOS Setup.

-Go to Advanced > Cooling > Performance Monitoring.

-Press F10 to exit BIOS

3-Please run the following tool and attach the report generated.  

-Intel® System Support Utility (Intel® SSU)

Download link: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/25293/Intel-System-Support-Utility-for-Windows-

•          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 to "Detailed View".  

•          To save your scan, click on "Next", then "Save".

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Victor G.

Intel Technical Support Technician

[Jon87]

@Victor_G_Intel 

1 - No, except for being loud, because of the high RPM, I would say, that the fan sound just about normal

2 - See attached screen shot "2-bios.png"

3 - See attached report "3-ssu-report.txt".

Hope this helps.

[LeonWaksman]

Hello @Jon87 

On the 2-bios.png image from the previous post, I can see that there is no processor temperature graph shown on the left image site, while the Processor is your Primary Temperature Sensor. Can you check the temperatures developed on the CPU using third part application?  (I don't have NUC BE to check this). For example you may use free application HWiNFO . Click on the "Sensors" to monitor the CPU temperatures.

Leon

[Jon87]

Here's a screen shot from HWiNFO.

- I think I've read somewhere, that it doesn't have a CPU sensor, but I could certainly be wrong.

[LeonWaksman]

Hi @Jon87 

You are right. You just remind me that there was already discussion about missing CPU Temperature Sensor in NUC BE. 

It is hard to accept that the CPU temperature is not monitored. However, from the HWiNFO image you have attached, I can see that it is not. If you have Aida64 tool, I would try this application also. Let us wait for Intel engineer -  he suppose to have more information in this subject. As I said, I don't have  NUC BE to check this more.

Leon

[Victor_G_Intel]

Hello Jon87,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

Based on the information provided and the tests completed, we consider that the assembly of the fan is no longer functioning as it’s supposed to and it’s just a matter of time for it to completely fail; therefore, our strongest recommendation will be that if you are within the first 30 days from the date of purchase for this unit, try contacting your place of purchase to check the warranty options for your system; otherwise, try contacting us directly to check what will be the warranty options available for your unit; feel free to refer to this post once you contact Intel Customer Support.

Here is our "contact us" information:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/contact-support.html#@7

We would recommend phone or chat support venues during your regular working hours.

Best regards,

Victor G.

Intel Technical Support Technician 

[Jon87]

Thank you for your replies.

I will contact the shop asap.

Out of curiosity: What would be a normal RPM for an idle NUC8i5?

[Victor_G_Intel]

Hello Jon87,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities.

When it comes to a fan's speed we don’t have a chart stating what would be the right or expected RPM per model; however, the bottom-line will be that what you have been experiencing is not normal, so keep that in mind and keep monitoring any new units you get with the utilities found in the link down below.

Diagnostic and Performance Tools for the Intel® NUC

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000024102/intel-nuc.html

If you need any additional information, please submit a new question as this thread will no longer be monitored.

Regards,

Victor G.

Intel Technical Support Technician  

[Jon87]

Last night I got at replacement unit and I have been using it all day.

Unfortunately, the problem persists. If I am running the “quit” profile, the system speeds down the fan occasionally. It seems to be, when VR/PCH gets below 40 degrees, but it only remains below that temperature for a few minutes and then it speeds up again.

 If I leave the BIOS at its default settings, hence running “balanced” it never throttles down from ~2.150 RPM.

I have included a dump from HWiNFO after 23 minutes of only doing some light browsing and probably leaving it idle for about 10 minutes.

If I chose the “fanless profile” the fan just keeps running at 2.200 RPM.

Is this just the way it is supposed to be with the NUC8i5BEK? Do I really have to make some custom cooling profile and is it safe?

I don’t think I am especially sensitive to noise, but when I am sitting alone in a quite room of my house, it really bothers me.

[LeonWaksman]

Hello @Jon87 

You may try to disable the Intel Turbo Boot Technology. You will find this function in BIOS settings, Advanced >Performance > Processor.  Disabling the ITBT, will keep the CPU temperatures more constant and therefore the Blower RPM not throttling. In my opinion, the NUC performance are almost not affected while browsing internet. 

Leon

[n_scott_pearson]

There is a bug in the BE BIOS that is being worked that is responsible for some anomalies in fan speed control. This is in addition to the CPU Temperature not being displayed in the Visual BIOS graphs. I do not have a target date for when this fix will be made available.

If you make a custom configuration (which I do almost automatically when I set up a new NUC; the quiet/balanced/cool settings are junk AFAIAC), be careful with the Minimum Duty Cycle. Many of these blowers are designed to be operated at 25% duty cycle or better. As you take the minimum below this level, you will reach a point where the blower will struggle to maintain its speed. This can result in the blower stalling and hearing a whooshing sound as the blower is recovered. In general, I have not taken any of the blowers below 20% (but I do regularly use 20% as my minimum).

I also do not recommend the use of the Fan Off feature. It can cause noticeable acoustic issues as blower is stopped and started.

Hope this helps,

...S

[split_second]

same problem here. new box, twice reinstalled windows 10 home 64.

updated bios to 087. 

speed waS 2200 constantly, annoying noise.

managed to lower fan speed to 1700 max by tinkering in bios.

 does your post refer to bug in 087??