Underclocking the Mac Mini

[Dreamkatcha]

Yes I know it's already very quiet, but after using a totally silent iBook for the last 9 months the whiney fan noise is starting to grate my nerves. It makes a fairly smooth, low-key whooshing sound which is fine by me, but there's also quite a high pitched, piercing undercurrent to it that I'd really like to eliminate.

So does anyone know if it's possible to slow down the CPU and subsequently reduce the RPMs of the fan? With hindsight I probably should have bought the slower 1.25GHz version.

[Sedulous]

Just a guess here, but the high pitched sound you hear might be the Hard Disk.

[Rocksaurus]

The only way I know of through software works on G5's and laptops, but I'm not sure about iMacs and/or Minis... Anyways, if you haven't tried already, check the Energy Saver settings in System Preferences and under "Options" select "Reduced" for processor performance... Again, I'm not sure the minis have this, but since they're essentially powerbooks with a different form factor and no screen, I don't see any reason why they shouldn't.

[superbovine]

Yes I know it's already very quiet, but after using a totally silent iBook for the last 9 months the whiney fan noise is starting to grate my nerves. It makes a fairly smooth, low-key whooshing sound which is fine by me, but there's also quite a high pitched, piercing undercurrent to it that I'd really like to eliminate.

So does anyone know if it's possible to slow down the CPU and subsequently reduce the RPMs of the fan? With hindsight I probably should have bought the slower 1.25GHz version.

http://www.lbodnar.dsl.pipex.com/macmini/

If the mini had a normal case fan which it doesn't, i'd recommend you put a silcon casket. I've only seen pictures of the fan, so dunno if you could possibly rig something similar. btw in submarines they to put (so website say) silicon casket to lessen the noise generated by fans.

[Dreamkatcha]

Thanks very much for all your replies. Lots of possibilities to investigate there which I hadn't considered. :)

[mgargan1]

Honestly, the loudest part of your macmini is the optical drive. So if you want it completely silent, just use flash media.