Computers

PowerEdge T410 – Part 2

14 Comments

Well, its not a full week yet, but its close enough 🙂

Now what do I have to say about the server you might ask? Well, in short – its great. I load tested it with Prime95 and did quite a few other things as well and its holding up just fine. The avg temp of the case is around 26 C (~78 F) and for the processor max 54 C (~129 F), low 38 C (~100 F). Another thing to note about these temps though, this is in a uncooled room, not in a datacenter. So overall I think its doing a pretty decent job.

The sound isn’t bad except when it starts up (sound like a jet), or when you hit 100% CPU for any length of time (which is expected since everything is passively cooled). The sound doesn’t interfere with any normal computing per say, but you can tell its there (in a corner of the room). The avg RPM is around 2400 or so, the max I believe is around 4000. The max noise level I believe (don’t quote me) is 63 dba, but it can push around 190 CFM at that time. These fan specs can be different depending on that fan model you have. Overall, I am used to it and it doesn’t bother me 🙂

One thing I do miss is the ability to see all the system temps. In Everest and in CPUID HW monitor, all you see is the CPU temps. Normally this would be fine, but I would love to see the HD, system case, and etc. The only way I am able to see the system case temp is through Dells System Administrator which I believe is connected to the DRAC. So without some form of DRAC installed (express or enterprise) you will not see this data (I believe).

The reason I don’t see the HD temps is cause its connected to the PERC raid. If I take a HD and connect it to one of the internal SATA connectors – it reports it. Now this hard drive is in the second bay of the 5 1/4 in compartment. I just had some mounts and used them. Its not a “secure” connection for a HD since the case is the tool-less design and it can slide in and out easily, but it didn’t vibrate from what I can hear. The screws came with the case so you don’t have to worry about getting those. All that I needed was the SATA cable, but I had a few of those laying around. Another thing I noticed, which is cool by the way, is that it supports the locking cables. That I didn’t expect, but I was pleased with that. The existing cables that come with the computer (5 HDs and 1 DVD drive) didn’t have that connector.

So all the cables came with the case, and you really need nothing expect a SATA cable if you didn’t order a another media drive.

The administration is really easy to use with the System Administrator especially with the RAID. You can possibly do more if you have the enterprise version, but it wasn’t needed in my case.

Overall I am very pleased with this purchase and would get another one for a ESXi server. Thats way in future though when I have some money…lol 🙂

14 thoughts on “PowerEdge T410 – Part 2”

  1. Are you running ESXi 4 on this box? I am thinking of getting the same box for ESXi home lab, wanted to make sure it was working okay for you.

  2. No, sorry 🙁

    I am using server 2008 on this box, however it should work fine with ESX. The only thing I would be concerned with is the PERC 6, but you should be fine.

  3. I’m considering purchasing a T410 myself, but before I decide what to buy I have some questions about the T410 to which I cannot find the answers anywhere online, nor have I been able to get them answered by a Dell Sales Person. Maybe you could help me out? If so, please contact me at the email I provided.

    Thanks. mike

  5. I am glad to hear this post today.

    Same as mqk, I am also considering to purchase a T410. I am not planning to do Raid for my HDD.
    I wonder if I can have this working fine with ESXi? May I have the answer here?

    Or if possible, please contact me by email. Thank you very much.

  6. @Andrew

    @User

    I believe you should no issues running ESXi on this box. However I can’t really say for sure since mine is not setup that way – sorry…

  7. hi all.

    I am here just to report the status of my T410 server.

    As per my post before, I have already got a T410 server from Dell with the following config:
    2x Intel Xeon CPU E5506
    12GB Memory
    160GB SATA II HDD (no additional raid controller)
    One Broadcom 5716 dual-port Gigabit Ethernet without TOE enable (standard config)

    I have intalled the ESXi 4.0 with Dell Cust version on this server and working fine so on.
    I have added one extra 1TB seagate SATA II HDD without any issue.

    Everything is going fine now to have T410 with ESXi 4.0.

    Hope this would help all of you. Thanks.

  8. Hi, I’m also thinking of getting one of these for home – however I will have to live and sleep in the same place as this box. When you say “but you can tell its there (in a corner of the room)” is that because of the dreadful noise it makes or simply a hum? Woudl it keep you awake? Or interfere with watching the TV? Noisier than a normal office desktop? Is it just one fan making the noise? Are there after-market quieter fans that could slot in?

    Cheers!

  9. We just purchased a T410 and I am attempting to install ESX 3.5i Update 4. The installation fails indicating it “can’t find device to install ESX 3.5i to”. The server has 2 SATA 250G drives. I tried disabling one of the drives but we no effect. Am I missing something in the BIOS setup? It has the latest BIOS from Dell. Thanks for any and all advice!

  10. Martin :

    Hi, I’m also thinking of getting one of these for home – however I will have to live and sleep in the same place as this box. When you say “but you can tell its there (in a corner of the room)” is that because of the dreadful noise it makes or simply a hum? Woudl it keep you awake? Or interfere with watching the TV? Noisier than a normal office desktop? Is it just one fan making the noise? Are there after-market quieter fans that could slot in?

    Cheers!

    Martin, sorry it took so long for me to reply, however to answer your question the fan is as quiet as what you are doing with it. The whole system (as you can tell by the pictures) is actively cooled by one large fan in the back. I would describe it as a air filter on “Low” sound – meaning not overly loud, but maybe close to normal talking volume depending on load.

  11. Gary :

    We just purchased a T410 and I am attempting to install ESX 3.5i Update 4. The installation fails indicating it “can’t find device to install ESX 3.5i to”. The server has 2 SATA 250G drives. I tried disabling one of the drives but we no effect. Am I missing something in the BIOS setup? It has the latest BIOS from Dell. Thanks for any and all advice!

    It could be a driver issues – are you using the onboard, or the PERC? Is there any reason why you won’t be running ESXi 4?

  12. @Smooth_J

    After speaking with Dell, it turns out we bought the unit with a SATA controller which is not supported in 3.5. Only a SAS6/IR controller is supported. BTW, we are recreating a customer environment. Thanks for your time!

  13. Hi Smooth_J,

    thanks for your review on the power Edge T410. I just bought one of those and am quite happy with it – except it is much too loud for me. I will buy an extra-Silent fan. Are you sure about the 190CFM? that seems an aweful lot to me – I can’t find any fan that comes even close to that performance!
    90cfm sounds a lot more plausible to me…otherwise I think I’m screwed trying to silence my T410 🙂

    Ben

  14. I think they adjusted something in the BIOS/motherboard/fan/fan controller. I was just out to client that I got T410 for almost exactly a year ago and it is pretty quiet. Fan is running 2000-2200 with good Temps.

    I just got my T410 about a month ago and it is VERY loud. Average fan speed is 2800+ and it seems to throttle up a lot even though it is not doing anything per se. I am really bummed and I don’t know what I’m going to do to silence this thing as the noise is making me insane!

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