Mac Pro 6 core noise

[LuckyButtons]

Hi,

Just set up my new 6 core over the weekend and it is a beautiful thing.

It is almost silent. Can barely even hear the fan. Amazing. I do however now hear what sounds like a coffee pot percolating, which didn't happen (i don't think) for the first two and half days. I have an SSD as the boot drive (so all that is on it is the system and my apps), so that shouldn't be making noise, right? The other hard drives aren't in use right now (only safari and entourage are open), but that noise still happens.

The sound is intermittent and isn't a rattle, and isn't the fan. Literally sounds like percolating.

Anyone have a clue as to what this might be?

thanks!

[jaydentaku]

Well It really must be one of the following, a fan, a hard drive or an optical drive, as I can’t think of any other move part.

When does it happen, at startup? Because the unused harddrive will spin up then. It isn’t being used for swop is it?
The optical drive again will exhibit this spin up on boot up.

Could it be the fan zapping on on high, off, on high, when the mac gets really hot?

[johnnymg]

Hi,

Just set up my new 6 core over the weekend and it is a beautiful thing.

It is almost silent. Can barely even hear the fan. Amazing. I do however now hear what sounds like a coffee pot percolating, which didn't happen (i don't think) for the first two and half days. I have an SSD as the boot drive (so all that is on it is the system and my apps), so that shouldn't be making noise, right? The other hard drives aren't in use right now (only safari and entourage are open), but that noise still happens.

The sound is intermittent and isn't a rattle, and isn't the fan. Literally sounds like percolating.

Anyone have a clue as to what this might be?

thanks!

Download istat and post your temp and fan speeds.
http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatpro/

[LuckyButtons]

Well It really must be one of the following, a fan, a hard drive or an optical drive, as I can’t think of any other move part.

When does it happen, at startup? Because the unused harddrive will spin up then. It isn’t being used for swop is it?
The optical drive again will exhibit this spin up on boot up.

Could it be the fan zapping on on high, off, on high, when the mac gets really hot?

It happens all day long, intermittently and seemingly not connected to any particular action. When I came in it was silent until I opened a program (from the SSD). Right now it is just randomly doing it...could be for several minutes intermittent and then be silent for a bit. Totally random. Happens even when the computer is idle.

When the HDD is in use opening or saving files, it doesn't seem to make any noise. So I don't think it has anything to do with that drive. But I will test the start up.

Again, it didn't make the noise at all for the first two days, at least not that I noticed.

What would the optical drive be doing? no swop.

[LuckyButtons]

Download istat and post your temp and fan speeds.
http://www.islayer.com/apps/istatpro/

Okay, just got that....

HD 1 = 40 deg
HD 2 = 37 deg
CPU = 34 deg
Bay 2 = 29 deg (this is the SSD)
Bay 3 = 29 deg (this is where the files I work on sit)
Bay 4 = 31 deg (empty)
Mem Bank A2 = 33 deg

FANS

PCI = 799rpm
BOOSTA = 856rpm
Exhaust = 599rpm
Power Supply = 599rpm
INTAKE = 600rpm

[Desmo1098]

@LuckyButtons


I know exactly the noise you are dealing with. Just like others have said the root cause of the problem is something mechanical in the Mac Pro. With that being said, the noise is being generated by one or more of the following:


Hard Drive (not solid state)
Power Supply Fan
PCI Fan
Intake Fan (the forward most fan of the chassis, near the power button)
Video Card Fan
CPU Heat Sink Fan


This noise has been driving me crazy because my Mac Pro is situated on my desk within an arms reach. Most of the time I work in silence so I can hear it. However, if I play music I cannot.

First I removed all the hard drives and only left my solid state drive. I did this to see if the hard drives were the source of the noise or if they were causing some vibrations throughout the chassis of the Mac Pro. I was able to eliminate the hard drives as the source as the noise was still present after removing them.

I then downloaded SMCfancontrol and adjusted each fan individually to diagnose where the noise was coming from. I did this by taking the side panel of my machine while it was running. As a side note, if you are not comfortable with this, don't do it. After testing each fan individually I was able to determine the noise is coming from within the CPU heat sink area. Because as I adjusted the speed the noise followed. Not only did it follow, but the frequency of the noise, meaning it was a higher pitched noise, followed with the speed. And this I would expect. I, personally think that there is a bad bearing in the fan that is built-in to the CPU heat sink. By the way, there are two fan built-in to the CPU heat sink. I was able to observe this by removing the CPU tray.

After long discussions with Apple I was able to convince them to order the parts to a local store for them to replace. Apple did resist, because it requires replace the entire CPU. I found this comment from them to be strange and thought that it did not make much sense and it certainly we be a bad design if that was the case. Then I thought, they probably just do not have all the individual components to order and they come pieced together. Nonetheless, I did not argue cause I want the noise gone.

My parts should be here tomorrow and I will follow-up with the forum to let you know my results. I have included a picture of where I am certain the noise is coming from. One afterthought I had was that if the noise is not fixed then there is a design issue with some components in that area.

Maybe someone else can comment on the new cooling architecture on the 6-core machine. Has it changed from the Nehalem to the Westmere? The reason I ask, is because the heat sink in the 2.66 4-core Nehalem was not as big and I am not sure if there was a fan built-in to the heat sink. Anyone?

My specs are:


6-core
3 GB RAM
1 x Solid State Drive
3 x Western Digital 7200 RPM 1 TB RE3 Hard Drive
2 x ATI 5770

[LuckyButtons]

huh.

well, I am okay taking the side off but I am not sure how to run the tests.

My noise doesn't seem to be a "grinding" nor "high pitched". Just to clarify, is that what you're hearing?

[jaydentaku]

I am not certain of the processor line up by comparison, but it would make sense that if the processors are changing, then the cooling system will also.

[Desmo1098]

Well try to keep in mind "hearing" something and then describing it is purely subjective. What sounds like a coffee pot percolating to you might sound like a bearing grinding to me. I have spent the last 13 years designing automotive engines and work around these mechanical components all the time. Yes, working on a Mac Pro fan bearing is on a different scale but all mechanical components exhibit the same symptoms.

The problem with this problem, if you will, is that we ourselves cannot fix it, only Apple can. So we can spend all day testing this and testing that but it truly is a waste of time. You really only have one option if you are not happy. That is to take it to the Apple Store and explain the situation. If they check it in and verify there is a problem they will fix it. If they determine there is no problem then you are still covered under warranty for 1-year unless you bought Apple Care then 3-years.

The only other option is to return it or ask for an exchange. I do not want to be indirect about the situation, but it really is a waste of time trying to do anything on your own. Apple has these systems so locked down you cannot replace parts on your own and they track all service done on the machine.

However, what you are describing it your very first post I would translate as to the same exact problem I am having. The noise comes and goes with the fan speed. Remember the fan speeds are never constant. They vary a few RPM's when at idle. And what I think is happening is that the fan hits a natural frequency, maybe you can think of it as a "sweet spot", that causes this percolating noise you are hearing. I ultimately think that is what the problem is. Unless this CPU heat sink fan does fix the problem. Then if that is the case we are simply talking about a design problem. We can't do anything about that but... turn up the music----- :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::D:D:D:D:D

[LuckyButtons]

ahhhh. so fun.

so can you tell me what those numbers/stats meant to you? I'm not so tech savvy in that area and curious how that helped you diagnose.

further - the computer hasn't made the sound in about 1.5 hours. wouldn't the fans run during that long of span, and hence I'd be hearing it?

thanks for all your input!

[Desmo1098]

@LuckyButtons


Those numbers and stats are normal and within the range that would consider your Mac Pro to be running as designed meaning there are no problem. All the fans, a total of 5, in your Mac Pro will always be on as long as your Mac Pro is powered on. For the most part all fans idle somewhere between 600-800 RPM's and will go as high as 4000 RPM's (I could be off in the upper range, so someone might correct me). However, your Mac Pro is designed to adjust the speed of the fan based on system load.

If you have not heard the noise then your concerns are at your discretion. Like I said before, this is a tricky problem. I have resorted to the following thought and that is, if there is a problem with my Mac Pro I am covered under warranty for 3 years. I cannot afford to be without my computer.

However, I was able to convince the Apple Store to the order the parts that I was concerned with. Your milage may vary. Remember, my problem is persistent. It has not disappeared as you stated you have not heard yours in 1.5 hours. Therefore, I think you are fine and have nothing to worry about. The Mac Pro has built-in safety measures so if the fan stops working and the system gets to a temperature it does not like, it will shut down on its own before permanent damage is caused. Then it is time for Apple to step in. I would say, enjoy the Mac Pro, buy Apple Care and if the problem comes back, call the guys at Apple and get the result you desire. Apple are very good as listening and delivering what the customer wants when there is a problem. I have spent over $100k in the last 3 years with Apple. Not once have they ever said "No, we cannot do that." They always are willing to solve the problem.

[LuckyButtons]

right, just a bummer since I use my computer all day long for work, so having it out for repair will hurt. a lot.

the noise always comes back, I was just mentioning that it hadn't been there for about 1.5 hours to say that it is not constant. it's back right now. a few seconds here and there. it's just bugging the crap out of me when it IS on.

thanks for your advice...I do have apple care. (but not an extra computer!)

[WardC]

I purchased my Mac Pro 2.93GHz Quad-Core 2009 model from the Apple Store Refurnished online. I have noticed my Mac Pro is making a faint "rattling" noise coming from one of the fans. The sound is intermittent, it usally comes and goes every 45 seconds to one minute and lasts about 5 seconds in length. I have made a recording of this fan sound, so you can hear it.

Turn your speakers up to listen:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle.mp3

Does yours sound anything like this? I think mine is coming from the front lower intake fan on the front of the unit. That's where it sounds like it's coming from. I think it's a bearing inside the fan that's loose and causing it to rattle. It's really bugging me, I had to move my Mac Pro to the floor to avoid hearing this noise. It's a very faint low ptched rattle, but it's very annoying.

Please listen to the recording and let me know if this sounds anything like yours. Again, you will need to turn up your volume to be able to hear it.

Thanks,
Ward

[LuckyButtons]

WardC,

it's not a consistent sound like that, BUT it is SORT of the same "tone" if you will. mine is literally what you think of when you hear an old school coffee pot percolating - meaning it is random pops/clicks, for random amounts of time, with random amounts silence in between. so i may hear one click and then a few seconds go by and i'll hear 3 or 4, then 10 seconds later another couple. and so on. it doesn't just continue at a consistent rate like yours and then stop.

maddening.

my mac is on the floor, and while the sound isn't LOUD, it's still really annoying.

[schulmaster]

If you listen to virtually any desktop computer since ever, it makes this noise. If you check an old school pc, this 'percolation sound' happens proportionally to the 'HD access' light's blinking. It's definitely the HD, and the sound's intensity varies with case configuration.

[LuckyButtons]

actually, like one of the other posters, i took out the HDDs, leaving only the boot SSD, and it still makes the noise.

and I have never had any computer do this. the G5 sounded like a jet engine, but it certainly never made this noise.

[schulmaster]

actually, like one of the other posters, i took out the HDDs, leaving only the boot SSD, and it still makes the noise.

and I have never had any computer do this. the G5 sounded like a jet engine, but it certainly never made this noise.

Fair test. Maybe it isn't the HDD, but I know my mom's dell tower and my old laptop still make this noise. It picks up when you open an application or something along those lines.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/nonworkingcomponent/ht/hdnoisetb.htm
This talks about HDDs making a 'muted clicking' noise, which is normal. This is what I imagined your sound was.

[LuckyButtons]

i'll check out that link.

the weird thing is that it only started doing it after about 2 and half days of having it, and it is random to the point of it happening even when the computer is not in use.

[WardC]

I have determined the culprit was the heatsink fan, the "BOOSTA" fan on my single-processor Mac Pro. I have fixed the situation for now, it's not making the noise anymore.

What I did: Used SMCFanControl, set "BOOSTA" to 4000rpm and ran that fan on high for one minute. Set it back to lowest setting...I think the fan had never been run on high before, and somehow this has fixed the problem.

[mattmower]

The sound is intermittent and isn't a rattle, and isn't the fan. Literally sounds like percolating.


Does the noise go away if you apply light pressure to the front grille of the Mac Pro?

Matt

[Desmo1098]

@LuckyButtons

As a person who does not want you to cause even further damage to your Mac Pro, can I make a suggestion,... If you are not technically proficient with the electrical and mechanical components on the inside of your Mac Pro I would stop where you are. Meaning, I would not try installing SMCfancontrol or working with your Mac Pro while it is powered on with the side panel off. It will only be a matter of time before you create another problem that was not there in the first place. For example, working with you Mac Pro side panel off and then you knock over that glass of water with your forearm as you inadvertently reach for something that you had next to your machine.

Apple will very highly frown on you using SMCfancontrol and iStat if you take your machine in and they see that stuff installed they will note it and could say that those programs caused the problem. As I stated earlier in my post Apple are very good at working with their customers.

Therefore if this is an ongoing concern the only way I can recommend to put it to rest is to take into Apple and let them look at it. If they say everything is OK with the machine they will note your serial number so in the future if there is a problem you can take it back and let them know you had it in for service before, if it becomes a problem again that is. In addition, if Apple say everything is OK and the noise persists, as I said before ask for an exchange. However, be forewarned that you could very well get a machine that has another problem (i.e. cosmetic flaw, or even a worse noise) and then you are back to square one. I do not want to discredit the forum members here because many of them have a lot of great knowledge, ideas, advice, etc. I hope that you find light in my advice, and can solve the problem.

[lbeck]

Luckybuttons .... do something for me. I was hearing the same type of faint "percolating" noise and it ended up being my hard drive. I know the other user in here determined it was not his hard drive but mine was. Try this out ...

If your OSX and all apps are on your SSD drive, then be sure to close any and everything that is on your other internal drive. Even in finder, do not have that drive selected or it will be spinning. Select your SSD drive, and close everything for good measure. Have nothing open and only your SSD drive selected in finder. Soon your internal hard drive will stop spinning and be idle, therefor making no noise.

Now, wait and listen for the noise. Is it still there? Mine was not, it was definitely the internal hard drive. ITs a very faint noise but easy to hear if nothing else in the room is on. If I have my overhead fan on it drowns it mostly out.

To be absolutely sure your internal hard drive is not being used, you may need to pull it out of the bay. But I was able to make sure nothing on it was being accessed.

Some hard drive are just louder than others, the percolating noise I was hearing was the drive accessing data. For some reason this hard drive sounds different than others but overall its no problem at all.

Let me know how it goes ...

[Desmo1098]

My noise has been fixed. My machine is whisper quiet! :) I am so happy!:)

They fan located in the CPU heat sink was the problem. I can understand Apple wanting to follow protocol and go through these 48 hour stress tests and all, but sometimes you got to trust the customer. I am glad they did. They placed an order for spare parts to replace all the system fans without me bringing the machine in. That was very generous of them. I told them specifically which fan I though was the problem and requested only that fan be changed. They said "OK" and they did it and the problem is gone.

I love :apple::)

What else can you ask for?

[lbeck]

My noise has been fixed. My machine is whisper quiet! :) I am so happy!:)

They fan located in the CPU heat sink was the problem. I can understand Apple wanting to follow protocol and go through these 48 hour stress tests and all, but sometimes you got to trust the customer. I am glad they did. They placed an order for spare parts to replace all the system fans without me bringing the machine in. That was very generous of them. I told them specifically which fan I though was the problem and requested only that fan be changed. They said "OK" and they did it and the problem is gone.

I love :apple::)

What else can you ask for?

That's great! Did you have to take it into the apple store and let them fix it? How exactly did it work?

I'm still getting a similar noise but I'm uncertain if it's my hard drive or the fan like you described. Originally I thought it was the hard drive but I still hear it when the computer is idle. I think I'll remove the hard drive to male sure its not that. Can I just take it out of the bay by unplugging it?

If it's not the hard drive then it has to be one of the fans and I'll be using your experience to hopefully get it fixed. The noise is pretty quiet though but I do hear it.

[ahavriluk]

I have rattling sound coming from lower front fan. Mac Pro 2010. Should I take it to Apple Store to fix it?

[Desmo1098]

@ lbeck

I sent you a private message...

@ ahavriluk

Wether or not you should take your Mac Pro in is up to you. As I stated in other posts a rattle or noise is completely subjective to each individual. I am not sure what you mean by rattle. Can you expand on it some more?

[ahavriluk]

@ lbeck

I sent you a private message...

@ ahavriluk

Wether or not you should take your Mac Pro in is up to you. As I stated in other posts a rattle or noise is completely subjective to each individual. I am not sure what you mean by rattle. Can you expand on it some more?

It sounds like the fan is rattling... The fan makes noise, which doesn't sound like normal operation. I don't know how else I can explain. I wasn't like that when I brought it home. It just started making that noise lately. I had a similar problem in my macbook pro after 3 years, had to replace a fan. My Mac is about a month old. I was just wondering if Apple would fix it.

[lbeck]

Hi Everyone,

I ended up removing my 1TB internal drive yesterday to see if that was the cuplrit and it WAS making the noise I was hearing. I removed the drive and my MP was as quiet as a sleeping baby all day. I put the drive back in and as soon as the OS booted and my desktop was showing, the "percolating" noise returned. Its quiet but noticeable. I've never had a drive that makes a constant random noise, even when data is not being accessed for a long time. Strange but happy its not the fan.

[Transporteur]

I ended up removing my 1TB internal drive yesterday to see if that was the cuplrit and it WAS making the noise I was hearing. I removed the drive and my MP was as quiet as a sleeping baby all day. I put the drive back in and as soon as the OS booted and my desktop was showing, the "percolating" noise returned. Its quiet but noticeable. I've never had a drive that makes a constant random noise, even when data is not being accessed for a long time. Strange but happy its not the fan.

Quite normal behaviour for a WD Black (stock MP 1TB drive). I used to have two of them in my Mac Pro and replaced them with WD Green models because the noise was driving my crazy.

[ahavriluk]

Turn your speakers up to listen:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle.mp3



I have this permanent sound coming from the lower front fan.
I tried to to run SMCFanControl but it crashed on Mac Pro 2.8 Quad 2010. Is there any other program to control fan speed?
Any ideas how to fix it without dragging a heavy box to apple store?

Thank you,

[lbeck]

Quite normal behaviour for a WD Black (stock MP 1TB drive). I used to have two of them in my Mac Pro and replaced them with WD Green models because the noise was driving my crazy.

Yeah I was unaware of that for the WD drives. It was driving me crazy but now that I know its perfectly fine and there is nothing wrong with my MP, its music to my ears. Ok, maybe not music to my ears but you get the point. I'm planning on putting four 2TB drives in by the end of the year so problem will be eliminated.

Do the 2TB WD Black's have the same issue? I hope not, four of them would be overpowering.

[WardC]

These recordings are much better, they were taken inside my Mac Pro with the cover open, right in front of the heatsink fan, that is where I believe the sound is coming from, NOT the front instake fan, but the heatsink CPU BOOSTA fan built-in to the heatsink....listen here:

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle3.mp3

http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle4.mp3

You can hear the sound much louder and more pronounced here. I have ordered a replacement heatsink from applecomponents.com as well as a 3mm 9" hex driver and thermal paste to do the heatsink replacement myself. I hope to have all the parts in later this week to do the surgery on my Mac Pro.

Again, this sound is really "come and go." I can't hear it at all right now, actually, it comes and goes as it wants. When it's making the sound, it will do it about every 5 or 10 seconds in a cycle, keep making the rattle sound...but hopefully once I get the new heatsink on it will be permanently fixed.

Also, mine is a 2009 model 4-core Nehalem, not a 2010 6-core.

Let's hope this solves the problem.

[WardC]

Okay, I took the advice of one of the posters and finally took my Mac Pro in to the Apple Store today. I explained the issue I am having (I have now determined that it is not the Heatsink fan but the front intake processor cage fan that is making the rattle noise)

I let him hear my recording, and he has ordered the 3 following parts:

922-8884 Fan, PCIe
922-8885 Fan, Processor Cage, Front
922-8886 Fan, Processor Cage, Rear

Here is what my Genius Bar Work Authorization Page says:

------------------------
Issue: Customer states the fan (intake) is making a rattling noise

Steps to Reproduce: Ran MRI; no thermal or fan errors. Customer has recording of sound: http://www.wardcurry.com/rattle3.mp3

Proposed Resolution: Run ASD to determine which fan is erroring. Replace necessary components and test - I am ordering all fans but only replace necessary component

Cosmetic Condition: Good.
------------------------

So, they are ordering all of the fans and they are going to run tests on it and only replace the fan(s) that they find problems in. It says my turnaround time is 3-5 days, Today is Thursday, so I should see my Mac Pro back by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. All I can do now is hope for the best.

Let's hope they can repair it, and I sure hope this fixes it!!!

[ahavriluk]

I am taking mine this Saturday... Let's see.

[2contagious]

I took mine in on Wednesday because of noise/vibration, a buzzing PSU and audio issues. I just hope they won't scratch it :/

[WardC]

The Apple Genius ran the preliminary tests on mine and it reported no fan or thermal problems. He said he would only replace the fans if he found there was an issue. I have been hearing this noise since I bought the machine in July. I have made 3 recordings of this noise and I let the Apple Genius hear one of them on his headphones. He could clearly hear the noise in the recording, and he made a note of the audio file URL on the Work Authorization sheet. I damn well hope they replace the fan. If they don't, and the problem comes up again, I will continue to take my Mac Pro back to Apple until they get it right. I am not giving up on this.

I hope they can fix it. This sound has been bugging me nuts!! Plus, it kills the value of the machine (who is going to buy a Used Mac Pro with a fan problem). If I sold it on eBay with the rattling fan, they would instantly return it and demand a refund if they found out it had issues. I'm not only doing this for my conscious to allay my nerves on the sound problem, I'm trying to save the value of the machine if I ever decide to sell this Mac Pro on eBay and get a newer one in the future. It's been a day and half now, Apple will have my machine over the weekend. I hope to get it back early next week.

I damn well hope they can fix the rattling fan. Then I will have a mighty fine issue-free Mac Pro.

[ahavriluk]

Rattling fan is the issue. Genius...

[WardC]

Rattling fan is the issue. Genius...

He said he will have to be able to replicate the problem or detect a problem with his ASD tests in order to replace the fan. Looks like the tests are picking up NOTHING and I am pissed. I clearly let him hear the noise it was making. The problem is the sound is come and go, it will appear and then be gone for a few days, come back and rattle for a few hours off and on, and then go away again. It's very intermittent. Even if he has the machine for 2 or 3 days and he's able to listen to it for 30 minutes nonstop, he may never hear a fan rattle, and his tests may never pick up on it.

That's what's got me worried.

[ahavriluk]

I went today to Apple Store with my fan problem. The guy didn't even powered the machine up to verify the problem. He ordered a replacement fan and they will call me when the part is in the store.

[2contagious]

I went today to Apple Store with my fan problem. The guy didn't even powered the machine up to verify the problem. He ordered a replacement fan and they will call me when the part is in the store.

Same here, but then I got called a week later saying they didn't find a fault and that no repairs have been done :mad:
-> the fact that they order parts when you explain the problem means nothing :(

I got it back now with no change..

[ahavriluk]

Same here, but then I got called a week later saying they didn't find a fault and that no repairs have been done :mad:
-> the fact that they order parts when you explain the problem means nothing :(

I got it back now with no change..

I didn't leave my computer there. They will call me to come over and replace it.

I think, you should insist.

[2contagious]

I didn't leave my computer there. They will call me to come over and replace it.

I think, you should insist.

Which apple store is that? :confused:

[ahavriluk]

Which apple store is that? :confused:

Just received a call from them. They received a fan and I will go tomorrow to replace it.

Apple store in downtown of Portland, OR.

[2contagious]

Just received a call from them. They received a fan and I will go tomorrow to replace it.

Apple store in downtown of Portland, OR.

I guess UK rules are different. It's not possible to order parts in and just quickly get it replaced. They have to test the computer and find the fault, otherwise it goes back to the customer as "repair declined" ...

The 'genius' told me he'd write to Apple's Engineer group about my buzzing PSU (all the Mac Pros in store were buzzing, too.. so he wants to find out if this is by design or something Apple should fix)

[WardC]

I got my Mac Pro back on Wednesday from the Apple Store. They told me that they replaced two fans (the front and rear processor cage fan). I took my Mac Pro home, and powered it on, and everything seemed great.

Later that night, I started to hear the rattling again. IT IS BACK! And it more frequent and more pronounced than ever. The same rattling sound. I am really doubtful that they actually replaced any of the fans in my Mac Pro because this fan is still making the rattling noise. It's bad. I think I am just going to move my Mac Pro to the floor and call it a day. It's really pissing me off. It only happens after the Mac Pro has been on for a few hours and all the fans are on idle. Intake fan is at 598rpm and it's making the rattle noise. It's very very annoying. I really don't know what to do now. I am still under warranty but I can't afford to take my Mac Pro to Apple and let them have it for yet another week. This just decreases the resale value of my machine. Nobody will want to buy a machine with a noisy fan. And now I feel like I have this POS crappy ass Mac Pro that makes puttering noises every few seconds.

I'll try to make a recording of the fan noises now, they are a bit different, so maybe this fan they installed is a faulty fan too. Perhaps I should keep taking it back until they get it right....but I don't know how long I can keep doing this. Apple kept my machine for 6 days while they ordered parts and ran tests, which said nothing was wrong with it. They said they went ahead and replaced those two fans anyways because I had given them a recording of the noise. Right now, I'd just like to sell this Mac Pro and get an iMac because this is so noisy. I am really in a rut here, and I feel horrible about this. Maybe I'll just do some investigating and try to determine exactly what the problem is, if it's not either one of the fans they replaced it's got to be something else. Maybe something is loose inside the machine. I will keep you updated.

[johnnymg]

I got my Mac Pro back on Wednesday from the Apple Store. They told me that they replaced two fans (the front and rear processor cage fan). I took my Mac Pro home, and powered it on, and everything seemed great.

Later that night, I started to hear the rattling again. IT IS BACK! And it more frequent and more pronounced than ever. The same rattling sound. I am really doubtful that they actually replaced any of the fans in my Mac Pro because this fan is still making the rattling noise. It's bad. I think I am just going to move my Mac Pro to the floor and call it a day. It's really pissing me off. It only happens after the Mac Pro has been on for a few hours and all the fans are on idle. Intake fan is at 598rpm and it's making the rattle noise. It's very very annoying. I really don't know what to do now. I am still under warranty but I can't afford to take my Mac Pro to Apple and let them have it for yet another week. This just decreases the resale value of my machine. Nobody will want to buy a machine with a noisy fan. And now I feel like I have this POS crappy ass Mac Pro that makes puttering noises every few seconds.

I'll try to make a recording of the fan noises now, they are a bit different, so maybe this fan they installed is a faulty fan too. Perhaps I should keep taking it back until they get it right....but I don't know how long I can keep doing this. Apple kept my machine for 6 days while they ordered parts and ran tests, which said nothing was wrong with it. They said they went ahead and replaced those two fans anyways because I had given them a recording of the noise. Right now, I'd just like to sell this Mac Pro and get an iMac because this is so noisy. I am really in a rut here, and I feel horrible about this. Maybe I'll just do some investigating and try to determine exactly what the problem is, if it's not either one of the fans they replaced it's got to be something else. Maybe something is loose inside the machine. I will keep you updated.

You should be able to locate the miscreant fan with the cover off. Good luck!!
JohnG

[WardC]

You should be able to locate the miscreant fan with the cover off. Good luck!!
JohnG

I have tried and tried and I am still trying. I just had the cover off for 20 minutes trying to locate the sound. It is definitely coming from either the Intake fan (front processor cage fan) or the CPU Heatsink fan. It is the same kind of rattle that I heard before. I have tried pressing in different places when it rattles but I cannot get it to stop. Apparently the problem is in the fan, not some loose plastic, aluminum, or other part in the machine. It sounds more like it's the front intake fan though, and since they replaced it (I just inspected it and there is no dust on it, so I know they DID replace it), I have a doubt that I would get a 2nd rattling fan on a new part. So that leads me to think the sound is coming from somewhere else. It's hard to tell because I can't take the processor card out and run the machine without the processor card in, and there is about a five-inch space between the heatsink fan and the front intake fan. I keep putting my ear in there to listen when it rattles, but I can't tell exactly which fan it's coming from. THIS IS DRIVING ME NUTS!!!!