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Lateralus · Oct 8, 2005, 02:13 PM

Hey,

I just picked up a Dual 2.5GHz Rev B, new in box, on blowout from CompUSA for $2,199.

I've had it since last night and there is one annoying issue; The fans are kind of sporatic. They spin up and spin down every few minutes almost randomly as I use the machine. I keep the machine's CPUs at 100% constantly through SETI BOINC, but that doesn't seem to make a difference as even with SETI off the fans are sporatic while I make simple use of the system.

The computer came loaded with 10.4.0 which I updated to 10.4.2, thinking it might be a software issue, which it apparently is not.

Is this normal?

OogaBooga · Oct 8, 2005, 08:09 PM

No, it isn't.

I've got a Dual 2.0 here and most of the time can't even tell it's on.

What are your energy saver settings? And did you disable NAP?

Cadaver · Oct 8, 2005, 08:21 PM

The 2.5's fans, at least mine as well, tend to be pretty active. Make sure the firmware is up to date (I can't recall if there was a firmware update for the 2.5's, but it can't hurt to check Apple's website).

davidflas · Oct 9, 2005, 06:22 AM

My 2.5 is the same. Waaaaaaaaaaay more fan activiy than the Rev. A DP 1.8 that I used to have. I too will check to see if there has been a firmware update.. The fans sometimes annoy me.. Such as when I print a word document and the fans rev up etc.. its nice to see that I'm not alone though.. Just some random thoughs. thanks for listening.

crooner · Oct 9, 2005, 08:19 AM

My 2.7's fans seem to exhibit similar behavior to what you describe, Lateralus. They'll be silent for a while and then if I open a window or change from one application to another the fans (the CPU bay fan being the loudest by far) will suddenly kick in. Odd.
Don’t get me wrong... I love the power and I’m getting used to the sound, but I thought it would be a bit more quite. Ah, well. Still beats the crap outa my dual GHz QuickSilver.

FWIW, I do think it's something that Apple *could* rectify with a software or firmware update. It just depends on whether they deem it important enough (which I doubt).

OogaBooga · Oct 9, 2005, 10:34 AM

Wow. I must be wrong then. My DP 2.0 and the 2.5s and 2.7s we have at work don't do this.

Lateralus · Oct 9, 2005, 11:20 AM

Thanks fellers.

The machine had been set to automatic performance in Energy Saver, I cranked it up to Highest. And there had beeen a firmware update issued for the Rev Bs, but apparently my machine was built after it was issued as I'm already up to date.

What about the sound of the liquid cooling system? I hear the occasional 'wooshing' sound every now and then. It sure as hell isn't the fans. I thought the whole point of liquid cooling was 'quiet' operation...

Several months back, I had a Dual 1.8GHz Rev B and it was totally silent so I was kind of expecting the same.

My biggest mistake was the Maxtor MaXLine III's that I purchased, though... Click, click, click, clickity, click, click... click.

Cadaver · Oct 9, 2005, 09:29 PM

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Thanks fellers.

The machine had been set to automatic performance in Energy Saver, I cranked it up to Highest. And there had beeen a firmware update issued for the Rev Bs, but apparently my machine was built after it was issued as I'm already up to date.

What about the sound of the liquid cooling system? I hear the occasional 'wooshing' sound every now and then. It sure as hell isn't the fans. I thought the whole point of liquid cooling was 'quiet' operation...

Several months back, I had a Dual 1.8GHz Rev B and it was totally silent so I was kind of expecting the same.

Liquid cooling in a system that could be otherwise cooled by air would be silent. The 2.5's and the 2.7's however are way too hot. All the 2.5 and 2.7's (that I've ever heard), in a quiet environment, will produce more fan noise than the conventionally cooled G5s.

And the occasional 'woosh' sound must be from the cooling system, too, because I've only heard it on the liquid cooled G5s.

power142 · 05:52 PM

My 2.5 DP goes through a similar cycle when under full load - general quietness with occasional spin-up/downs of the fans. I've had it a year and it's always done that and it's consistent at this regardless of ambient temperature. As mine sits under my desk, I don't find it imposing at all though. My Linux box sitting at the other end of the desk is a constant source of noise despite having few fans, and I personally find the constant drone more annoying.

I also have a Maxline in my G5 and it's certainly quieter than the drive Apple shipped it with.

Todd Madson · Oct 11, 2005, 10:09 AM

You will get used to it. It's doing that to prevent the hardware from burning up.
You got an INSANE deal - new in box for $2199 - great!

I run two instances of Seti on mine and when surfing or playing music the fans will
ramp up periodically but you will get used to it. Mine is sitting down by my feet, not
at the desk level so if it's down there it won't be nearly so bad as if it's right up next
to your head.

Know that if you run it with nap disabled you'll consume about an extra 100 watts
of power but that might help you.

Lateralus · Oct 11, 2005, 08:14 PM

Yeah, the price was bitchin. Though I violated my 'Golden Rule of Purchasing'; Buy anything that costs more than $200 online to avoid paying sales tax.

Oklahoma sales tax is around 8.5%, but even with that I still think I got a pretty good deal.

And yeah, I'm slowly getting used to the fan noise. It seems as though all of the noise is coming from the fan in the rotating storage zone. I'm really wanting to just unplug the thing since it really isn't needed with the case door off. Has anybody ever unplugged it?

crooner · Oct 12, 2005, 02:42 AM

Originally Posted by Lateralus

Yeah, the price was bitchin. Though I violated my 'Golden Rule of Purchasing'; Buy anything that costs more than $200 online to avoid paying sales tax.

Oklahoma sales tax is around 8.5%, but even with that I still think I got a pretty good deal.

And yeah, I'm slowly getting used to the fan noise. It seems as though all of the noise is coming from the fan in the rotating storage zone. I'm really wanting to just unplug the thing since it really isn't needed with the case door off. Has anybody ever unplugged it?

It's gonna take me time to get used to you as G5 owner, Lateralus. For some reason I see a G4 in my mind when I see your posts.

In any case, my 2.7's fans revved up for a second as I started typing this (WFT is that about?) but immediately quieted down. I was always under the impression that it was the CPU bay fans that were making the big whoosh, but maybe you’re correct in that it’s the drive fans.

I know it's technically safe to run with the metal side door off (as long as the plastic baffle is in place), but I think it would be better to get used to the noise than to risk the longevity of your new (bitchin' deal) G5? Ya know?

John O'Shaughnessy · Oct 12, 2005, 04:30 PM

Awesome deal!

I have my new 2.5 PowerMac under my desk. I live in a very quiet house, and overall, the G5 is way more quiet than my QuickSilver G4. I think part of that is age - fans and disk drives just get noisier after 3 years.

Anyway, mine my Power mode is set to Auto, and it it very quiet, unless I am launching an application, or starting a compile, or some other intensive process. At that point, the fans rev up, but usually back down in less than a minute.

Sometimes I can hear a faint heartbeat-type noise too. Along with the random gurgle-squeak.

You got an awesome deal, especially if you didn't have to fill out three rebate forms, and hope that all of them pass muster like I did with MacMall.

John