There is only one real way to make it quieter:  Make sure the ESM/BMC (BIOS first) is up to date.  It is this device that controls the fan speed, and if there have been fixes to the way the fans operate, it would be the ESM/BMC firmware updates that would contain that fix.  If that doesn't work, there are some other ways to help it to operate quieter ... ensure plenty of clearance in front and back of the server, keep the temperature down, and/or remove the RAID controller or RAM in excess of 16GB.  I realize the last one is a poor fix, but in reality, they do contribute to how the ESM calculates the need for fan-based cooling.

Hi,

My name is John and work for Dell as a PowerEdge Product Manager.  Thank you for your question regarding the PowerEdge T310 fan noise.  The Dell Product Team has engaged our Design Center regarding the need to address the nosie concern raised by our customers.  Last month, (October 2010) Dell released a revised BIOS and Embedded Systems Management firmware update to improve the PowerEdge T310's acoustical and thermal performance. 

To locate the BIOS and firmware updates, you will want to go to the following link:  http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&cs=555&l=en&s=biz&SystemID=PWE_T310&os=LHS64&osl=en&servicetag=&catid=-1&impid=-1&dateid=-1&typeid=-1&formatid=-1&source=-1

When you go this web page you will want to check your T310 to see if you have BIOS version 1.4.1 and also the Embedded Systems Management firmware for iDRAC6, if needed, version 1.5.4.  The enhancements made to the BIOS and firmware will reduce the fan speed of the server without undesired impacts to the thermal performance of the server.  However, please note that ambient temperature of the room along with the configuration of server will be monitored by the server’s intake thermal sensors and fan speed will be managed accordingly.  For reference, Dell's thermal and acoustical testing is conducted at 23 degrees Celsius +/- 2 degrees (Approximately 73.4o F).

If  there are further questions that we can help address, please let us know. Again, thank you for question and interest in our products.

Regards,

John

This is great news! I was one of the original unhappy customers and have not been able to sell T310s to my customers due to the absurd noise level, customers would run a mile!

This issue has cost Dell several small server sales from me alone and I have been supplying small HPs instead. I can now go back to selling T310's again which is good as they are great little servers.

John,

Thank you for this information!!

I have update the ESM firmware and my T310 is now bearable in my home office. :emotion-2:

Hi  John,

I have Dell T310 as well but when i follow your link and only see BIOS version 1.12 . where could i find version 1.5.4 you indicate in the message?

Thanks,

NpN

Just download the latest BIOS 1.12 and install that then the ESM firmware latest version. I can confirm that installing both reduced my server from a wind tunnel to whisper.