Unused fan connector on passive cards

[Etienne_S_]

Hi,

I have a couple of 5110P cards, and I designed a 3D printed fan duct for radial fans which works well.

Now I would like the cooling to be quiet when the cards are idle (at full speed they are noisy but this is okay if they only run at full speed when the cards run at full load!)

I have noticed a 4pin min fan connector on the side of the card, probably for the "A" version. Did anyone tested using that connector for controlling an external fan? This would be the best solution as the fan would be controlled by the SMC chip using the core temperatures directly.

The datasheet does not document that connector.

And otherwise, do you have any other experience with external fan controllers? Where should be placed thermal sensors for ensuring the ramp-up happens on time before the cores run too hot?

Thanks!

[P__Robert]

Greetings,

Have you considered using a driver module that directly interfaces with the server PSU?

What about using a fan-driver module to mitigate the risk of damage to k1om board?

Can you share your 3D model for the passive cooler? [STEP or IGES]

Thanks,

Coast

[Etienne_S_]

Sure, the fan duct 3D files are attached. I also added a 3D printed part for fixing two "server" format cards which have no PCI bracket.

And the model links on the print service :

https://www.sculpteo.com/en/print/xeonphi5_v8/owK3AKfa?basket=1&noclickredirect=1&uuid=4Tmz2xRFCSnrkJTBVgF0Zg

https://www.sculpteo.com/en/print/xeonphi-bracket_v8/bMfu5gr3?basket=1&noclickredirect=1&uuid=aQPAD2ofCm0WsYuckXskHg

[P__Robert]

Thanks for sharing!