[pdovinh]

You got to check this out:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/[email protected]
http://homepage.mac.com/pdovinh1/PhotoAlbum31.html

pdovinh

[the_glassman]

Originally posted by pdovinh:
You got to check this out:

http://discussions.info.apple.com/[email protected]
http://homepage.mac.com/pdovinh1/PhotoAlbum31.html

pdovinh

Thats a **** load of porn!

[reader50]

Interestingly, he doesn't appear to have used any of the 3rd party drive-mount solutions.

[PacHead]

Not exactly accurate to call it 10 internals. Some of those are external firewires.

(edit)I just read the post more accurately. With the firewires it would be 13 Drives !

So, nice job !

[angelmb]

Awesome, maybe he wants to download the whole internet thing !!!

[videian28]

wow

[TimmyDee51]

I'm really surprised there isn't a ton of heat build-up. How is the fan noise?

[pdovinh]

These Maxtor drives are very quiet and generate little heat.

The G5 has thermal sensors inside at various strategic locations. As the heat is detected, the fans will be adjusted automatically to the appropriate levels. Each zone is controlled independently as you all know.

During heavy CPU and disk use, the fans are at about 50-70% of maximum but not extremely noisy. The maximum fan speed seemed to occur when the plastic cover is removed: The two fans at HD bay A and B max out.

A couple fans are always ON even during sleep mode. This allow for continuously venting of the internals and never build up any heat inside.

The power supply also automatically adjusts and regulates whatever necessary current is required by all of the drives and the PCI cards.

With Temperature Monitor during heavy session at high CPU setting:

Main logic: 104.2F
CPU A Die: 123.5F
Pro Card A: 107.6F
CPU B Die: 128.1F
Pro Card B: 103.5F
Drive Bay: 90.5F
Main Logic In: 78.1F
Main Logic Am: 91.4
Memory Heat: 137.5F

I think my G5 is operating within normal operating ranges.

pdovinh

[djohnson]

[MM-o4]

farrrk. jus farrrk

Where do you live. Would have to iceland or something not to need it's own AC to keep it cool. I'm in Sydney and would melt through the floor on a summers day.

MM-o4

[TimmyDee51]

Wow, I'm impressed. Not like I didn't think you had it under control, but I'm impressed with how well its working for you. I hope it keeps up well.

[pdovinh]

TimmyDee51:

I agree with you totally: that it is Apple's design of the G5 that is super impressive!!!

Anyone can tuck a bunch of HDs inside this G5. I just happen to have the need for doing so and just like to share this great news to others that the G5 is highly capable!

If someone really wanted to, in addition to the 10 HDs installed above, they can

1) remove the Superdrive and add at least 2 to 4 more HDs,
2) squeeze 2 more HDs into the PCI area, and
3) Replace the fan housing assembly in front of the RAM slots with a slimmer set of fans and make room for at least 4 more HDs.

Using this scheme, a potential of 20 HDs may be installed internally!
I can't tell if the power supply will succumb or not...

When comparing the internal of a G5 versus those of the PBs, G5 iMac, G5 XServe, the G5 is not even close to being "tightly" packed--hence the potential for upgrades and enhancement.

[d.fine]

Cool ! And no heat issues Nice job !

[macaddict0001]

in theory you could add many more drives and use bigger ones like one lacie one terabyte externals another networked powermac loaded via gig ethernet mount the networked disks. on both machines for 5 grand you could probably add 60 terabytes with reasonably fast connection.

[danbrew]

Originally posted by pdovinh:

Using this scheme, a potential of 20 HDs may be installed internally!
I can't tell if the power supply will succumb or not...

Time will tell. I can't knock a guy for trying, but there are some pretty logical reasons for all that open space and the placement of the fans in the G5. If it were me, I'd use external enclosures.

What, may I ask, do you get by cramming all those drives inside the case? Other than saving a bit of desk space and the potential to have a $4000 paperweight?

[Cadaver]

With the need for that much storage space, I'd much prefer a fast external SCSI RAID with hot-swappable spares. Plus, no worries about the CPU's power supply crapping out.

While the thing may be cool when the drives are sitting idle, get those guys going and they will heat up.

[pdovinh]

I spent only $1800 to have about 2.5TB with RAID 0,1, & 5 capability. Performance price ratio absolutely beats everyone elses external boxes by at least 3 times.

Apple's Xserve RAID is the only external box that I care to have. Right now at 1.75TB it's $7499.

Your concerns about heat and power supply are critical, crucial and totally legitimate. I have taxed my system with some simple tests:

In the first simple test, the system was set at maximum performance, no screen saver, no dimming for a "burn-in" period of 3 days. Each day with normal activity 3-4 hours. Results: Not a problem to report.

Second set of tests included copying files 40-180 Gs to and from various different drives and RAID 0 HDs while playing DVD at 32x scan rate, burning data on external DVD with Roxio Toast, playing iTunes to one of the AEs, PhotoShoping, internet & email. Periodically ripped MP3s using Apple Lossless format, uploaded video from a Canon GL3 in background, import digitals from CF & Microdrives to iPhoto & Portfolio. CPU monitor showed 100% usage most of the time. Results: No heat built up beyond the capability of the G5 to remove and maintain stability. No freezes and no kernel panic. Yes, some of the fans kicked into higher gears but never maxed out.

With these simple operational tests, which currently representing about 50-80% of what I do, no failure has occured. I am elated and happy to share this info.

BTW, if the G5 ever approaches an overheat state, it just shuts itself OFF. If the power supply is taxed beyond capability, it just shuts itself OFF. If the PCI slots were installed with non-compatible cards, it won't turn ON. WOW! Apple! WOW!