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Azzgunther · 01:49 PM

My computer is too hot and too loud. I've spent the last 2 years debating the purchase of a $300 Verax kit, putting intake or blow holes into the chassis of the computer, or buying a new power supply altogether. The problem is that I don't have a ton of extra cash and I don't want to void my Applecare warranty. After keeping a constant eye out for solutions, I've finally found out how to make the computer silent AND drop the temps from 140ºF to 100ºF.

First, get Apple's CHUD 3.5.2 and then enable NAP mode in System Preferences. This drops the temperature by letting the processors rest when not in use.

More info here:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/feedback/....html#storytop

Second, to quiet the computer you need a $5-$10 120mm fan; preferably with a 4pin molex power source attached to it (Pictured here), cardboard, and the willingness to go into your computer's power supply to unplug the two fans.

The information of the procedure is located here.

To supplement his page:

NOTE: WORKING WITH POWER SUPPLIES IS DANGEROUS. IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR HANDS, I DO NOT RECOMMEND PUTTING THEM NEXT TO CHARGED BATTERIES AND COMPONENTS. That said, the only work you'll be doing is opening the door and plucking two cables which are located on the edge of the power supply with a pair of pliers.

-When you go into the power supply, you can very easily disconnect the fans. You just need a pair of pliers to pop both fans' 2 PIN power cables from their inputs.

-I would inform you that you can use any 4-pin molex power source in your computer (if you have an extra hard-drive or optical drive power cable not used inside your computer, you can plug the fan right into it). This is the only reason I advocate this approach. If you have used up all of the power outputs, you might try splitting one of the Molex cables' signals with a Molex Y splitter OR you could try plugging the fan into one of the newly vacated power supply power sources. To plug it into the power supply's fan power sources, however, you will need a 2 PIN fan (the third pin controls fan speed on computers that allow it). The power supplies fans are both 2 PIN.

-I spray-painted the internal part of the air scoop black for aesthetic purposes. It is the part that you can see when you look into the computer.

With this information and about 40 minutes of time, you can have a new computer. Best of luck!

-Chris

inkhead · Jul 13, 2005, 01:14 PM

Thanks for the tip. The first one I had I made quiet with a hammer because i couldn't take it anymore

Waragainstsleep · Jul 13, 2005, 02:28 PM

Good old Tycho. And nice to see themacaddress back up. Wasn't up this morning. Still no forums though

suvsr4terrorists · Jul 13, 2005, 02:54 PM

Tycho is from Madison!?! Holy crap! How'd I miss that! Woah dude. Sucks. I just moved from there.

Azzgunther · Jul 13, 2005, 05:18 PM

No I'm not Tycho. He likes to destroy computers more than I do.

Spidey79 · Jul 16, 2005, 09:36 PM

ic... so how come my ibook reads temps of 200 degrees farenheit?

ashtoash · Jul 17, 2005, 09:58 AM

because the temp sensor in the g4's suck... probably another application will give a better reading.... but still the temp sensor in the g4 chips is horrible.

Waragainstsleep · Jul 18, 2005, 02:50 PM

Tycho lives in Alaska. As far as I know.

suvsr4terrorists · Jul 18, 2005, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by ashtoash

because the temp sensor in the g4's suck... probably another application will give a better reading.... but still the temp sensor in the g4 chips is horrible.

They don't work. Get an external REAL temp sensor with display.

Spidey79 · Aug 4, 2005, 12:01 AM

MY ibook just reached a temp og 215 degrees fahrenheit

lenox · Aug 11, 2005, 01:49 PM

Since enabling nap mode in 10.4.2, I've had one crash...I guess it's not so bad...it was when I left it on overnight once. The computer was not set to sleep. Anyhow, another problem with MDDs and nap mode is the noise that comes from the internal speaker even if you aren't using it. I am thinking of disabling/relocating the speaker and maybe putting a fan or something in it's place to help with the PSU.

inkhead · Aug 22, 2005, 08:47 PM

I got rid of all the MDD macs i owned finally, garabage. Really annoyed with apple when i think about how much of lemons they were.

Flip500 · Aug 23, 2005, 12:09 PM

wow, Spidey what were you doing!?!

hotani · Sep 2, 2005, 02:25 PM

Good info, thanks. I'm downloading the chud now and will try it tonight (I'm at work now).

So far I have replaced the 120mm fan with a quieter albeit slower fan which improved the noise greatly. I've also added a slot fan and replaced the Al heatsink with the one made of Cu. These things helped, but it is still loud and hot (typically between 60 and 62C temp reading). I'm considering other options, and wanted to do water-cooling but haven't found a good water block for the CPUs. If one existed, or if I got off my lazy butt and made one, then I could buy an external kit for $150 and hook it up. I'm not opposed to the idea of making my own, just a little worried about the reliability of a homemade block.... especially when a leak would mean disaster.

Kenneth · Sep 3, 2005, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by inkhead

I got rid of all the MDD macs i owned finally, garabage. Really annoyed with apple when i think about how much of lemons they were.

I have a MDD sitting back of my studio display.

mikemako · Sep 29, 2005, 06:38 PM

Originally Posted by Azzgunther

get Apple's CHUD 3.5.2 and then enable NAP mode in System Preferences. This drops the temperature by letting the processors rest when not in use.

I just wanted to say thank you for this tip. My 1.42GHz MDD was quite LOUD and by using this technique I lowered its temperature by 25 degrees F and reduced its noise significantly. I have experienced no stability problems in the last 2 weeks of using this.

Azzgunther · Sep 30, 2005, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by mikemako

I just wanted to say thank you for this tip. My 1.42GHz MDD was quite LOUD and by using this technique I lowered its temperature by 25 degrees F and reduced its noise significantly. I have experienced no stability problems in the last 2 weeks of using this.

It's amazing isn't it? All those years of torment at the hands of our screaming computers, and a little check box option fixes everything

Originally Posted by hotani

So far I have replaced the 120mm fan with a quieter albeit slower fan which improved the noise greatly. I've also added a slot fan and replaced the Al heatsink with the one made of Cu. These things helped, but it is still loud and hot (typically between 60 and 62C temp reading). I'm considering other options, and wanted to do water-cooling but haven't found a good water block for the CPUs. If one existed, or if I got off my lazy butt and made one, then I could buy an external kit for $150 and hook it up. I'm not opposed to the idea of making my own, just a little worried about the reliability of a homemade block.... especially when a leak would mean disaster.

Instead of spending all that money I recommend that simple mod in the link. It's been about three months since I did it and it's been perfect. That said, water cooling is about 15 times more awesome