New Dual 1.25Ghz Noise problems!

[noelmac75]

Has anyone experienced noise with there new G4's, I got mine recently and its giving out a constant whining noise, it comes from the front of the comp, has anyone any solutions for this

[mdeschenes]

Oh please, please, please don't tell me that! I am awaiting delivery of mine own DP 1.25. I will let you know as soon as I receive and set it up.
Mike

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by mdeschenes
Oh please, please, please don't tell me that! I am awaiting delivery of mine own DP 1.25. I will let you know as soon as I receive and set it up.
Mike

I'll second that - I'm waiting on a Dual 1.42, and if the 1.25s are noisy, I'm gonna have to build an extension for mine!!!

[noelmac75]

Originally posted by gotohamish


I'll second that - I'm waiting on a Dual 1.42, and if the 1.25s are noisy, I'm gonna have to build an extension for mine!!!


Iam gonna put an extension on mine too, and put it my wardrobe, it drowns the sound out a good bit. Yes they are loud on my first experience , alot louder than my g4 450mhz.

[Bear]

Originally posted by noelmac75
Has anyone experienced noise with there new G4's, I got mine recently and its giving out a constant whining noise, it comes from the front of the comp, has anyone any solutions for this
Do you have the first model of the DP1.25 or the second one?

The first model has 2MB of L3 cache. The second has 1MB. (Per processor of ocurse.)

The current MDD models are supposed to be quieter then the original release was. So knowing which one yours is would help.

I'm awaiting a DP1.42 and want to know what level of noise to expect.

[mymemory]

My dual G4 500 is noisier than the AC unit I have in my studio, it is closer to the vacum cleaner, on the other hand....


I had a guy that came here with his dual 500 and that computer didn't do any noise at all, it was very silent, the fan was on but you needed 3 to 4 of his computers to make the same noise as mine.

So, Apple may be changing components there, getting the best deal in the market with the fan.

May be a next revision.

[gotohamish]

Does Apple use good fans? My G4 500 is silent apart from the new Radeon 8500's fan.

2 Questions:

1) Can you replace PM fans to better/quieter ones?

2) Can I unplug the fan on the Radeon? It doesn't get hot in the machine at all, but I don't know about the GPU.

Cheers

[groovebuster]

Yes, of course you can... But you shouldn't do that if you are not familiar with using the screw-driver in a computer.

Also very often the results are not as significant as expected, since the noise is not only a problem caused by the fans, but also by the air-flow in the case, since the fans are temperature controlled. And maybe the Apple boxes look nice and are service friendly, but from an engineering point of view considering the air-flow they are close to a total black-out. So a lot of noise ("fan-work") for nothing. Most of the hot air just circles in the case and dosn't get out causing the fans to go fast and to produce more noise than necessary.

So what new fans do in a lot of cases is not to lower the noise level, but to have a different spectrum of frequency they are emitting the noise within. The lower the frequencies are the less it is annoying, since the human ear hears better in the mid- and high frequency range. So from a subjective point of view the new fans helped even though they still produce they same dBs of noise...

groovebuster

[sedarby]

For more information about the noise problem in PMs both 1st and 2nd revision, check out http://www.g4noise.com

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by sedarby
For more information about the noise problem in PMs both 1st and 2nd revision, check out http://www.g4noise.com

Yes, I knew it would happen. Can we please have a new G4 thread without this link!!!!

Surely the example on the site is different depending on your computer's sound-out volume.;)

[MorganX]

Originally posted by sedarby
For more information about the noise problem in PMs both 1st and 2nd revision, check out http://www.g4noise.com

This site has really turned me off. I'm not sure I'm willing to risk an iMac now. This is not good stuff. Not at all.

Not concerned about the noise. But Applecare owners being told to sell their machines on eBay, Apple deleting posts.

If Apple does get a lot of switchers, this will have to stop. I don't know that Apple wants more marketshare if this is as evolved as their customer service and problem resolutions is...

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by MorganX


This site has really turned me off. I'm not sure I'm willing to risk an iMac now. This is not good stuff. Not at all.

Not concerned about the noise. But Applecare owners being told to sell their machines on eBay, Apple deleting posts.

If Apple does get a lot of switchers, this will have to stop. I don't know that Apple wants more marketshare if this is as evolved as their customer service and problem resolutions is...

The problem is that the only time you hear about peoples machines is when they have problems. Think about the thousands and thousands of mac users out there that aren't posting or reporting anything. Those are happy people with no reason to complain.

I am one of them. I have an original MDD powermac and mine has never had the whine or hard drive noise or any of the other complaints that people have about them. I feel that I am in the majority. It's just that the other people with good experiences with there MDD have no reason to post because they don't have a reason to.

Trust me if you have a legitimate problem and you handle yourself polite-fully and tactfully you will get whatever that needs to be repaired repaired.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by noelmac75
Has anyone experienced noise with there new G4's, I got mine recently and its giving out a constant whining noise, it comes from the front of the comp, has anyone any solutions for this

Did you buy a OS9 bootable version of the new Dual1.25s. If you did they are actually no different internally then the old Dual1.25s from what I've heard and seen.

[law guy]

Originally posted by noelmac75
Has anyone experienced noise with there new G4's, I got mine recently and its giving out a constant whining noise, it comes from the front of the comp, has anyone any solutions for this

If anyone has a meter that could quantify at least the decible level (and post what distance the measurement was taken at - 1m from the front being a good benchmark for comparison), that would be helpful.

Re: the bad case design from an airflow point of view. I've seen a few references to expected new case designs with the 970s. Although Apple may just focus on the sexy, use the word "massively" a lot in their press release and not really focus on environmental factors like noise. Perhaps another reason to wait and see how that turns out.

[noelmac75]

I can definately say that these new powermacs are loud, i got my dual 1.25 with 17" display on wednesday and after a couple of days it started to irrate me, the whining noise is so loud, i even put it in the cupboard and i could still here it, so i've decided to send it back, iam getting a refund and i will probably buy the imac now, i dont care if its slower and just cant stand that noise in my room.

[noelmac75]

Originally posted by Bear

Do you have the first model of the DP1.25 or the second one?

The first model has 2MB of L3 cache. The second has 1MB. (Per processor of ocurse.)

The current MDD models are supposed to be quieter then the original release was. So knowing which one yours is would help.

I'm awaiting a DP1.42 and want to know what level of noise to expect.

I know, its the second one, and i wasnt at all happy with it, there not quiet at all, it gives out a constant whining noise. Iam sending it back and getting an imac.

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by noelmac75


I know, its the second one, and i wasnt at all happy with it, there not quiet at all, it gives out a constant whining noise. Iam sending it back and getting an imac.

But was it the model that still booted OS9 or was it the new model that only boots OSX? You would have had to make a conscious decission in the ordering of a new model that still booted OS9.

[noelmac75]

Originally posted by MacBandit


But was it the model that still booted OS9 or was it the new model that only boots OSX? You would have had to make a conscious decission in the ordering of a new model that still booted OS9.

The one that boots into osx only

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by noelmac75


The one that boots into osx only


I guess you would really hate the older MDD models then.

Sound noise and quality are really a personal perspective thing. Some people can't handle a constant tone at all wether it's a high volume or not.

[markjones05]

I have a dual 1ghz proccessor powermac g4. It does boot in 9 and 10. The fans are loud but not unbearable. I havnt noticed a whining noise like mentioned in previous posts. It does produce alot of heat though. I keep it on top of my desk with my display now, instead of in the cubby whole under the desk to avoid it overheating. Is there any way to fix this problem?

[noelmac75]

Originally posted by MacBandit



I guess you would really hate the older MDD models then.

Sound noise and quality are really a personal perspective thing. Some people can't handle a constant tone at all wether it's a high volume or not.


I like a computer thats quite silent, that comes first, iam only using it for home use, i guess i was so used to my powermac g4 450mhz until i heard the new mdd. How quiet are the new imacs? do they use any fans.

[ethan]

Will you old ladies settle down before you go through a box of Depends!
MDDs are the OLD noisy pieces of crap that Apple put out from Aug 2002 to Jan 2003. They are considered 2002 models.
The new G4s are called FW800s because of the new 800 firewire in them. Apple made many improvements such as thermal cooling heat sink, new PS fans, etc.etc. They are VERY quiet. I've heard several 1.25 model FW800s and they were VERY QUIET. NO BUZZ, NO WHINE.
If this guy has a whiny 1.25, then it is the OLD MDD. Apple still sells 1.25 G4s that boot into OS9.x, but they are of the OLD MDD design and are noisy and whiny.

[ddtlm]

noelmac75:

not quiet at all, it gives out a constant whining noise. Iam sending it back and getting an imac.
You know, sometimes fans are defective, or perhaps there is a defect elsewhere in your case causing unusual vibration. If I were you I'd pop the computer open and try to find the source of the noise. Take a finger a slow down/stop one fan at a time (by pressing in the middle like a brake, not by putting your finger to the blades ;) ).

You may be wasting your time sending it back over something silly.

Edit: I just remembered that some of those fans will be difficult to get to. Anyway, you should still be able to track down which one is loud. And start up with the hard disk unplugged if the noise could be coming from that.

[noelmac75]

Originally posted by ethan
Will you old ladies settle down before you go through a box of Depends!
MDDs are the OLD noisy pieces of crap that Apple put out from Aug 2002 to Jan 2003. They are considered 2002 models.
The new G4s are called FW800s because of the new 800 firewire in them. Apple made many improvements such as thermal cooling heat sink, new PS fans, etc.etc. They are VERY quiet. I've heard several 1.25 model FW800s and they were VERY QUIET. NO BUZZ, NO WHINE.
If this guy has a whiny 1.25, then it is the OLD MDD. Apple still sells 1.25 G4s that boot into OS9.x, but they are of the OLD MDD design and are noisy and whiny.


Its a 2003 model for definate, FW800 is on the back, its not that loud, its just the high pitch sound that irrates me, theres no buzzing from it either.

[noelmac75]

Originally posted by ddtlm
noelmac75:


You know, sometimes fans are defective, or perhaps there is a defect elsewhere in your case causing unusual vibration. If I were you I'd pop the computer open and try to find the source of the noise. Take a finger a slow down/stop one fan at a time (by pressing in the middle like a brake, not by putting your finger to the blades ;) ).

You may be wasting your time sending it back over something silly.

Edit: I just remembered that some of those fans will be difficult to get to. Anyway, you should still be able to track down which one is loud. And start up with the hard disk unplugged if the noise could be coming from that.


Its not as loud as the old mdds of what i've heard, i just dont like the noise it makes, especially when iam in a quiet room

[gotohamish]

Originally posted by noelmac75



Its not as loud as the old mdds of what i've heard, i just dont like the noise it makes, especially when iam in a quiet room

Not wanting to sound like a prick, but if that's your only complaint, Apple are well within their right to say "tough" as you perhaps should 'try before you buy'...

and before you complain back to me, I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW, how difficult this is in the UK. I wish it was better too. Well, not "better", but "TOTALLY BLOODY DIFFERENT".

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by markjones05
I have a dual 1ghz proccessor powermac g4. It does boot in 9 and 10. The fans are loud but not unbearable. I havnt noticed a whining noise like mentioned in previous posts. It does produce alot of heat though. I keep it on top of my desk with my display now, instead of in the cubby whole under the desk to avoid it overheating. Is there any way to fix this problem?

Don't worry about the heat. You wil not hurt it. Even putting it on thick shag carpet will not reduce the amount of airflow through these Macs thanks to the handles/legs and the holes on the front.

[mdeschenes]

It's here, it's here. Let the bells ring out, let the people cheer.
Just received my DP 1.25 (OS X boot only). I did notice the "whining" fan at startup. It is no louder than my PC (AMD XP 2000+) which has a lower pitched sound. This one is somewhat higher in pitch. It is tolerable - I have it within a few feet of my ear.

The rest of the weekend will be involved in setting it up. BTW: I had an AOL account on PC (Version 7). I called AOL to set up a new Mac account. Apparently, they do not have appropriate software for OS X. They stated that AOL Version 4 might work. I tried under classic mode - no luck. I then tried Earthlink - I guess I fouled up the settings for PPP and the like trying to get AOL to work, because Earthlink would not establish a connection - even though modem did make "the call". I know this is not the appropriate link, but perhaps someone can steer me in the right direction.

Mike

[Kwyjibo]

I will be involved in setting it up. BTW: I had an AOL account on PC (Version 7). I called AOL to set up a new Mac account. Apparently, they do not have appropriate software for OS X. They stated that AOL Version 4 might work.

I'm confused; I used to be an AOL user the first month I got my iBook. You don't need a mac account for aol and aol account is an aol account. They have a version 5 that works fine in osx. It is lackluster comapred to the windows version but i barely use it anymore. You can get hthe software from cnet and it setups the exact same as when you install AOL on a PC. I hope this clears that up.

[zoetropeuk]

STOP complaining about the noise and just fix it. I spent 40 bucks on some new silent fans, spent 2 hours replacing the old ones. Now I can hear the hard drive from my iBook on the other desk over the noise my OLD PIECE OF CRAP 867MDD is making.:o :confused:

[MacBandit]

Originally posted by zoetropeuk
STOP complaining about the noise and just fix it. I spent 40 bucks on some new silent fans, spent 2 hours replacing the old ones. Now I can hear the hard drive from my iBook on the other desk over the noise my OLD PIECE OF CRAP 867MDD is making.:o :confused:

Do the new fans move the same volume of air the old ones did?

[zoetropeuk]

You have to remember that the fans that come standard have to be able to cool the following:


4 internal hard drives
2 optical drives
dual G4 processors
video card
4 additional PCI cards


All of this adds up to one hot little number. If you are planning on keeping pretty much stock standard as I am than you can afford to lower the volume of air.
I could probably lower the voltage on the fans from 12 to 5-7 to make them even more quite than they are now.

[groovebuster]

OK, since we talked about it yesterday it inspired me to do it finally today... I changed the fans in my Quicksilver. I replaced them with fans from Papst.

The result is noticeable but not overwhelming. As I expected already before... But at least it's a little bit quiter now. :)

But since the computer is a bit quiter now, i noticed something else. I could hear a kind of buzz sound all the time...

When I lifted the Mac a little bit, it was gone. Since the G4 cases don't have a special, vibrations absorbing stand, but just the hard plastic sitting right on the table plate, the table is like a resonator for little vibrations coming from the moving parts in the computer... I found a solution very quick. I just cut a piece of dark grey carpet in the right size from a rest I still had from renovating. Fits nicely to the Quicksilver case and the buzzing sound is gone now.

It's the first time that my harddrives are the loudest thing in my Mac. Hmmm.... but there is still the fan for the CPU cooler that I didn't change. It's still too loud now, it's causing vibrations resulting in a little permanent buzzing sound. I guess that fan also has to go one day... ;) Before I didn't even notice it.

groovebuster

[alset]

It's amazing how quickly you get used to it.

Dan

[springscansing]

I have a dual 867, and it doesn't whine or anything. The fan is a little loud, but there's no whining or anything else. It's a good deal louder than my dual 450 was, but its still certainly bareable. As for worrying about the iMac being loud, I do not think anyone has ever said the iMac was loud. :rolleyes:

[springscansing]

Originally posted by zoetropeuk
STOP complaining about the noise and just fix it. I spent 40 bucks on some new silent fans, spent 2 hours replacing the old ones. Now I can hear the hard drive from my iBook on the other desk over the noise my OLD PIECE OF CRAP 867MDD is making.:o :confused:

Is the difference drastic? I have my computer in a non-airconditioned room, although it is a basement. it does often hit 85 down here in the summer. Are those quiet fans going to give me enough airflow so I do not overheat? Do they void the warentee (I assume they do). Where did you get the info on doing this?

I'm using a pair of sealed-back AKG 270s for monitoring, so the noise isn't really an issue anyway. I'm mostly just curious, but if it is cheap and easy, I might consider it.

[zoetropeuk]

For my MDD is was but I think I probably had the noisiest SOB that Apple ever produced.

Do they void the warentee (I assume they do)

It does but it only takes 30 minutes to replace them with the old fans if something else goes wrong.

Where did you get the info on doing this?

I went to G4 Noise (http://www.g4noise.com) and followed a link to a page with step-by-step instructions on changing the fans. I used the following fans in my MDD.

I used these fans to replace the fans in the PSU http://www.coolermaster.com/ I can't remember the product number as I've thrown away the boxes. I just made sure that the CFM rating was close enough to that of the built-in fans.

I used this fan to replace the CPU fan globefan (http://www.globefan.com/12025.htm) and yes it is rated a lot lower than the built-in delta but once again I'm not having to cool 4 hard drives as well as the CPU.

[jeremy.king]

Fans are being replace by apple.

see http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=20646

[weev]

This fan and power supply is only for the last august released one generation old mirror door powermacs.

Apple say the current line have the new parts. So if your new boot only pm is noisy, then you better make a complaint website:D

[DakotaGuy]

Hey for anyone that has a new Dual PowerMac that they think is too noisy, I will trade them even up for this old iMac DV 400. She isn't the fastest thing in the world, but COMPLETELY SILENT! Any takers??? Oh common...haha!