I also have a Rev. B at my work, and it is whisper quiet compared to my machine at home ? but it suffers from the "chirping" problem which in my opinion is worse than drone of the Rev. A fans.
The Power Mac is not the only desktop machine with acoustic problems. While the iMac G5 is quieter its frequency is very annoying. I've read many-a-compliant. And the eMac is simply pathetic for its noise-to-power ratio.
I've read tons of replies on similar topics both at Apple's official forum and others. The single 1.8GHz may be the quietest, but its also the slowest. And you have to remember the construction of the Power Macs are _not_ helping matters. These cases were designed to cool internals first and foremost, noise will easily leak out the front of the case from too many openings and not a centralized baffle.
I'm looking forward to a total redesign of the eMac with a G5 mending problems there, and possibly a rev B will help iMac owners.
Most of my home computing is all done in my room, while I can build a PC that would be quieter then any desktop Cupertino can muster I lose a great deal in the process. Some great things had best come down the pipe next year acoustically. \ I'd worry less and just upgrade my Cube to a fanless 1.3 GHz Giga Designs chip but they are in the process of being sued.
P.s. Be sure to really check with people running their machine in a "private" area. Most every Mac would be fine in an office environment. The same way people visit the Apple Store, listen to the machine and consider it quiet only to bring it home and learn otherwise.
have had my new 2x2.5 replacement now for a few days and it's still not ok. The noise is the same as the old one and it's still not as quiet as a 2x2.0. Unless I run the machine at reduced speed it's simply unacceptable. Calling Apple again today!
have had my new 2x2.5 replacement now for a few days and it's still not ok. The noise is the same as the old one and it's still not as quiet as a 2x2.0. Unless I run the machine at reduced speed it's simply unacceptable. Calling Apple again today!
Keep us posted on how it turns out for you. Like yours my dual 2.5 is unacceptably loud except in reduced processing mode. My assumption has been that they all are like that (i.e., my fan doesn't sound broken, it just sounds like an automotive cooling fan that is working as hard as it can) so I'm learning to live with reduced processing mode. If you manage to come up with a better solution I'd love to hear about it.
Just called apple to get my money back. I'm extremely disappointed with the 2x2.5's. Speed-wise it's an amazing machine but noise-wise, even when you do the simplest things like browsing, it's noisy as hell. I'm switching to 2x2.0. The past several months have been a total waste of time, two machines, several cpu replacements. Not good and I'm not even talking about the quality of service from the Apple store
I'm running in "highest" cpu performance mode and "nap" turned off on my 2.5. This makes the cpu(s) idle hot, but the fans stay in a mid-level more and don't do the ramping up and down as much. You can see whats happening by watching the cpu die temps. with cpu monitor or hardware monitor. Temp stays around 80degC always with these settings . With nap on and mid performance setting it is always jumping from the 50's to the 70's and back. It would be interesting to compare hardware sensor data across G5 models (temps, fan rpms, etc) to see what is 'normal' and how perceived noise levels correlate w/ this data.
I'm running in "highest" cpu performance mode and "nap" turned off on my 2.5. a.
I've read about this option but with liquid cooling be so new (at least for Apple) I didn't want to mess with it. 2x2.0 will do as well. Will invest the money I save in a 10.000 rpm HD and 1 GB additional RAM. Will make it faster than a 2x2.5 in reduced mode
I was browsing the powerpc 970fx user manual. Interesting stuff on the power management features, but way 'techy'. All the voltage and frequency scaling available w/ doze/nap modes.
can't find the 970fx datasheet supplement (link anyone?), with the power specs. I was just wondering what the g5's thermal limit actually is (eg. does it scale back automatically when temps go above 85 C?)
uhh... sorry if this is getting off-topic. I have to agree though, that apple designed the g5 case with cooling ahead of noise as priorities go. I like the compromise, personally, but people should not expect a dead quiet multi-gigaflop machine either.
people should not expect a dead quiet multi-gigaflop machine either.
from Apple's website promoting the Powermac:
"Whisper-Quiet Operation
The Power Mac G5?s enclosure houses four discrete thermal zones to compartmentalize the primary heat-producing components. Fans in the zones spin at very low speeds, resulting in a system two times quieter than the Power Mac G4."
If they don't want people to expect a quiet machine they should not advertise it as one. (And expecting a computer to produce less fan noise than a Volkswagen is a far cry from demanding a "dead quiet" one.)
There were a few threads at the Apple Discussion area where people using a Temperature app came to a consensus that either the 2.5GHz is nothing but a native 2GHz being overclocked or IBM was pressured into released the 2.5GHz early.
Temps from the 2.5GHz are MUCH higher then that of the 1.8 and 2.0 chips, not in a casual way either. The liquid-cooling system is not there for acoustics, its there to prevent a meltdown.
People should not expect a dead quiet multi-gigaflop machine either.
I don't, but I also don't expect the machine to sound like a jet-engine taking off when I'm just surfing the web or checking my mail. That to me is not 'whisper-quiet' and not why I went for a system with liquid cooling that's supposed to be more quiet than a regular G5.
I'm getting my 2x2.0 next week and will report back here.....
I just received and installed my 2x2.0 GHZ G5 which replaced my very noisy 2x2.5 GHZ G5 and I'm so happy. Running at the highest setting the machine remains totally quiet. No more fan-revving at all!!I'm so glad I made the switch. I also have an upgraded Cube with fan installed and my 2x2.0 is just a tad quieter than my Cube now. Total relief here and, hopefully, happing computing again!
I just received and installed my 2x2.0 GHZ G5 which replaced my very noisy 2x2.5 GHZ G5 and I'm so happy. Running at the highest setting the machine remains totally quiet. No more fan-revving at all!!I'm so glad I made the switch. I also have an upgraded Cube with fan installed and my 2x2.0 is just a tad quieter than my Cube now. Total relief here and, hopefully, happing computing again!
Could you compare performance of the 2.0 versus the 2.5 in reduced processor mode? (If you ever tried that route with the 2.5)
Because of the noise I've only been running the dual 2.5 in reduced mode, any other setting was unbearable. My 2x2.0 is now running at the highest setting and I find it to be about the speed of the 2x2.5 in reduced mode. No labs-test or anything, just a feeling. I ran some tests with logic and the cpu performance meter looks the same to me.
Because of the noise I've only been running the dual 2.5 in reduced mode, any other setting was unbearable. My 2x2.0 is now running at the highest setting and I find it to be about the speed of the 2x2.5 in reduced mode. No labs-test or anything, just a feeling. I ran some tests with logic and the cpu performance meter looks the same to me.
I ran tests with my 2x2.5 in normal mode and reduced mode, and saw an approximate 20% reduction in processing power in reduced mode according to both the Activity Monitor and Cubase SX's performance meter, so my experiences are consistent with that.
I just received and installed my 2x2.0 GHZ G5 which replaced my very noisy 2x2.5 GHZ G5 and I'm so happy.
Glad to hear it. I seem to remember reading posts from some, that there might be a thermostat (or other) problem with some of the towers that makes the fans run more than necessary. Do you think that could have been part of your problem, or was it just the higher speed processors causing all the fan noise?
Comments
Originally posted by Messiah
My Rev. A Dual 1.8GHz machine at home is the loudest machine I've ever owned - WAY louder than the MDD G4 I had with the original power supply.
I heard somewhere than the first G5s had noise
problems - are the current ones "rev B"?
Originally posted by e1618978
I heard somewhere than the first G5s had noise
problems - are the current ones "rev B"?
Yes the current machines are Rev. B.
I also have a Rev. B at my work, and it is whisper quiet compared to my machine at home ? but it suffers from the "chirping" problem which in my opinion is worse than drone of the Rev. A fans.
I've read tons of replies on similar topics both at Apple's official forum and others. The single 1.8GHz may be the quietest, but its also the slowest. And you have to remember the construction of the Power Macs are _not_ helping matters. These cases were designed to cool internals first and foremost, noise will easily leak out the front of the case from too many openings and not a centralized baffle.
I'm looking forward to a total redesign of the eMac with a G5 mending problems there, and possibly a rev B will help iMac owners.
Most of my home computing is all done in my room, while I can build a PC that would be quieter then any desktop Cupertino can muster I lose a great deal in the process. Some great things had best come down the pipe next year acoustically.
P.s. Be sure to really check with people running their machine in a "private" area. Most every Mac would be fine in an office environment. The same way people visit the Apple Store, listen to the machine and consider it quiet only to bring it home and learn otherwise.
Originally posted by macanoid?
have had my new 2x2.5 replacement now for a few days and it's still not ok. The noise is the same as the old one and it's still not as quiet as a 2x2.0. Unless I run the machine at reduced speed it's simply unacceptable. Calling Apple again today!
Keep us posted on how it turns out for you. Like yours my dual 2.5 is unacceptably loud except in reduced processing mode. My assumption has been that they all are like that (i.e., my fan doesn't sound broken, it just sounds like an automotive cooling fan that is working as hard as it can) so I'm learning to live with reduced processing mode. If you manage to come up with a better solution I'd love to hear about it.
Originally posted by dirk gently
I'm running in "highest" cpu performance mode and "nap" turned off on my 2.5. a.
I've read about this option but with liquid cooling be so new (at least for Apple) I didn't want to mess with it. 2x2.0 will do as well. Will invest the money I save in a 10.000 rpm HD and 1 GB additional RAM. Will make it faster than a 2x2.5 in reduced mode
Originally posted by debenm
I don't have a powermac ~ but I do know that my powerbook 17 sure beats to cheese the VAIO laptop I had before when it comes to noise.
Not sure what that means. Is it quieter than the VAIO? My 17 is kinda loud when it's working hard but silent when I'm just surfing or writing.
can't find the 970fx datasheet supplement (link anyone?), with the power specs. I was just wondering what the g5's thermal limit actually is (eg. does it scale back automatically when temps go above 85 C?)
uhh... sorry if this is getting off-topic. I have to agree though, that apple designed the g5 case with cooling ahead of noise as priorities go. I like the compromise, personally, but people should not expect a dead quiet multi-gigaflop machine either.
Originally posted by dirk gently
people should not expect a dead quiet multi-gigaflop machine either.
from Apple's website promoting the Powermac:
"Whisper-Quiet Operation
The Power Mac G5?s enclosure houses four discrete thermal zones to compartmentalize the primary heat-producing components. Fans in the zones spin at very low speeds, resulting in a system two times quieter than the Power Mac G4."
If they don't want people to expect a quiet machine they should not advertise it as one. (And expecting a computer to produce less fan noise than a Volkswagen is a far cry from demanding a "dead quiet" one.)
Temps from the 2.5GHz are MUCH higher then that of the 1.8 and 2.0 chips, not in a casual way either. The liquid-cooling system is not there for acoustics, its there to prevent a meltdown.
Originally posted by dirk gently
People should not expect a dead quiet multi-gigaflop machine either.
I don't, but I also don't expect the machine to sound like a jet-engine taking off when I'm just surfing the web or checking my mail. That to me is not 'whisper-quiet' and not why I went for a system with liquid cooling that's supposed to be more quiet than a regular G5.
I'm getting my 2x2.0 next week and will report back here.....
Originally posted by macanoid?
I just received and installed my 2x2.0 GHZ G5 which replaced my very noisy 2x2.5 GHZ G5 and I'm so happy. Running at the highest setting the machine remains totally quiet. No more fan-revving at all!!I'm so glad I made the switch. I also have an upgraded Cube with fan installed and my 2x2.0 is just a tad quieter than my Cube now. Total relief here and, hopefully, happing computing again!
Could you compare performance of the 2.0 versus the 2.5 in reduced processor mode? (If you ever tried that route with the 2.5)
Originally posted by macanoid?
Because of the noise I've only been running the dual 2.5 in reduced mode, any other setting was unbearable. My 2x2.0 is now running at the highest setting and I find it to be about the speed of the 2x2.5 in reduced mode. No labs-test or anything, just a feeling. I ran some tests with logic and the cpu performance meter looks the same to me.
I ran tests with my 2x2.5 in normal mode and reduced mode, and saw an approximate 20% reduction in processing power in reduced mode according to both the Activity Monitor and Cubase SX's performance meter, so my experiences are consistent with that.
Originally posted by macanoid?
I just received and installed my 2x2.0 GHZ G5 which replaced my very noisy 2x2.5 GHZ G5 and I'm so happy.
Glad to hear it. I seem to remember reading posts from some, that there might be a thermostat (or other) problem with some of the towers that makes the fans run more than necessary. Do you think that could have been part of your problem, or was it just the higher speed processors causing all the fan noise?