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voodoosand · Apr 29, 2003, 10:50 PM

I got tired of the noise that my 867 quicksilver was making, so I took some of its guts out. I completely removed the larger 120 mm fan, and I don't plan on putting it back for at least a day or two. The noise has gotten better, although I was surprised at how small of a difference it actually made. The volume of the noise is not much lower (I am barely confident there was a change), but what makes it truly better is that the quality of the noise has gone up (?). By this, I mean it is less annoying, it has less of a high-pitch whine like an airliner engine. It reminds me more of the cube I wish it was. Anyways, I know people will say that I am going to ruin my system, but am I really? The computer is a single processor, I have one 7200 rpm hard drive in there, a raedon 8500 (with it's own weeny fan), and nothing else. The computer is in a 68 farenheit room, and is not on round the clock (except for a few occasional downloads where I have to leave it on overnight). Is this really going to destroy my machine? What parts are most likely to go first? I'll let everyone know how this goes.

Mac Zealot · Apr 29, 2003, 10:52 PM

the majority of the noise comes from 2 fans....

the little one on the cpu heatsink (it's not actually on the heatsink it's in a black rubberish thing next to it) it's REALLY noisy...

And the one in the power supply. The 120mm is actually pretty quiet.

TimmyDee51 · Apr 29, 2003, 11:39 PM

After going through the whole noise fiasco with my MDD, I've learned a lot about heat within computers. My recommendation is to put the fan back in. The extra heat may not add any short term issues, but it will shorten the life of your computer. That's the way all electronics work.

voodoosand · Apr 30, 2003, 01:41 AM

So I had read all those sites about g4 noise issues, and like the above poster said, the smallish fan attached to the black shroud is supposed to be really noisy, but mine is really quiet. After doing some dismantling, I realized the PSupply fan was easily making the most noise. I didn't open the PSU, but I will when I get a new fan for it (the other fans don't have quite as good traits). I am going to order a new 120 mm too because I think I need it (as another poster stated), but I am convinced it does not have to be as strong as the current model. We'll see with summer coming up here...glad I have A/C.How hard is it to open the PSU? It looked to be a hassle to get open...?
Does anyone think it would be possible (or know it is) to have the second drive bay for the quicksilver models to be sort of a docking station for the ipod? Like the door flips open and you just stick the ipod in there (so it cuts it halfway vertically so you could see the screen)? I'm rambling.

robby818 · Apr 30, 2003, 01:43 AM

I have a Quicksilver as well. I tried some of the mods found on the accelerate website including: cutting out the power supply fan finger guard, taping up the black rubber housing on th CPU fan and replacing the120 mm fan w/ a panaflo fan. It's a little quieter now but not nearly enough to make me happy. The PS fan makes a lot of the noise. I'm reluctant to replace it though bec it involves opening up the power supply and I'm not even sure if the fan can be removed w/o doing some soldering. The fan on the cpu seems to be easily replaced, however it does not seem to be a real problem in my machine (but i will listen more carefully next time).

The Apple fans connect w/ a 2 pin connector and most PC fans have 3 pin connectors so this might be an issue if i tried to replace the cpu fan.

Cipher13 · Apr 30, 2003, 10:09 AM

Are you crazy? No, you're stupid (no offence or anything).

stuffedmonkey · Apr 30, 2003, 02:17 PM

Yeah - I really would put that fan back asap. doubel check your CPU temps with something like ThermoInDock, but that sounds like a ruined processor in the making.

zcasper · Apr 30, 2003, 09:23 PM

Originally posted by stuffedmonkey:
Yeah - I really would put that fan back asap. doubel check your CPU temps with something like ThermoInDock, but that sounds like a ruined processor in the making.

I don't think ThermoDock works with the 867. Or am I wrong - it doesn't work on mine.

Xaositect · May 1, 2003, 02:53 PM

Take a picture/make a drawing/memorize the connector the fan uses (I recommend the picture, but do as you will). Also write down the sprecs of the fan.

Then put the fan back NOW.

Then go to a PC show at will, and get a replacement fan with dual ball bearings or some other extremely quiet float mechanism that has the same cfm rate and compatible plug. If you can't find one with the right plug, you can splice into the connector on your current fan, but I don't recommend it unless you are used to electronics repairs. Replace the fan, and have lower sound and proper cooling.

This can be done with the remaining fans, but if you replace the ones inside the power supply, know exactly what you are doing before you do it.

That said, I did this for a friend, and with all quiet fans inside the noises drop dramatically (but you still know fans are running).

Good Luck!

booboo · May 2, 2003, 03:54 AM

...but what makes it truly better is that the quality of the noise has gone up (?). By this, I mean it is less annoying, it has less of a high-pitch whine like an airliner engine [/B]

Firstly, put it back.

Secondly, I'm surprised you say this about the 'quality'.

Placebo effect?.

The smaller fans are generally the worst offenders - the 'quality' of their noise being far more irritating, the frequency of noise is higher in the spectrum where the ear is more sensitive.

Most people are happier with a low pitched whoosh from the larger fans rather than the high pitched insistent whine of the cpu and psu fans.

The worst offender in my G4 D/A is the whining fan on the Radeon. I'm intending replacing it with a larger but slower fan...

BobK · May 2, 2003, 09:16 AM

Just buy a new computer!!! That thing is going to burn up! May take a few weeks but it will die soon. Might as well just go get a new computer and sell the noisy one on ebay while it still has some value.

Robitussin · May 22, 2003, 09:46 PM

Papst 120mm fan

12 to 7 volt converter

Two of these in the power supply

The voltage adapter, connected to the 120mm fan, should make the most difference.

If you want a truly quiet computer, get a 800 mhz TiBook.

OreoCookie · May 23, 2003, 04:40 AM

Don't remove the fan. Simply don't I'd advise you to put a thermoelement in it that varies the rpms of your fan. If it is very hot outside (or if your computer is in a cabinet), then your CPU might even die!

The best solution IMHO would be to put a quiet Papst fan in it that adjusts its speed with the temperature of the die.

Angus_D · May 23, 2003, 10:29 AM

You could develop a funky water cooling system. That would be pretty quiet, and I'm sure I've seen some pics somewhere of one fitted to a MDD to reduce noise.

OreoCookie · May 23, 2003, 10:47 AM

Originally posted by Angus_D:
You could develop a funky water cooling system. That would be pretty quiet, and I'm sure I've seen some pics somewhere of one fitted to a MDD to reduce noise.

Three things.

1. It's overkill for a G4@867 MHz.

2. It's expensive.

3. You have to be careful when installing it. Don't remove the isolation, etc.

My little brother has a pretty professional water-cooled PC setup. He shelled out major bucks for it. Not recommendable for normal operation. Overclocking, maybe. But not normal operation (since the power supply with its two fans won't be any more silent than before).

Robitussin · May 29, 2003, 07:11 PM

I just replaced the Delta fan in my 733 Quicksilver with a Papst 120mm and it made all the difference. Computer's really quiet now.

Of course, the 733 doesn't get all that hot, so I'm not running a great risk. You might want to give it a try.

Forget what I said earlier about the 7 volt adapter -- the fan is quiet enough at 12 volts (maybe you could try the 7 volt adapter on your Delta).