Hiya,
Bored and frustrated with "dumb" home-NAS -boxes, I've decided to use some of the (relatively cheap) Apple PPC hardware to create a decent home network server: File serving for the home network (two laptops) and for archiving, web-serving some hobby-pages, iCal synchronization, some FTP and having a computer which can be tasked with continuous processes (something a mobile laptop is not suitable for)...
It's an old plan of mine, which lay dormant for a long time until i stumbled upon someone selling a MDD (Dual 1Ghz) with leopard server thrown in. The machine has been in 24/7 use for some years previously.
So I jumped on it. In my case the description "wind tunnel" was more than apt. I haven't had a machine that noisy since the time when I thought overclocking AMD Athlon's was a hoot.
Anyway, I switched all critical fans (CPU and PSU), added some resonance-damping padding and the noise level is way down. Thanks to "nap", the CPU temperatures are acceptable (39C idle; 52C load) (25C ambient).
I made sure that the fans i installed into the PSU had comparable CFM's, but I'm slightly worried that the PSU might be running hot. Honestly, I did not test the PSU temps under continued load before the modification, but the exterior of the PSU is uncomfortably warm. I might further mod this...
Next stage, I got a Sonnet Sata-card and attached two 2TB- slow-spinning drives to it (software raid 1)
Eventually the machine is to be placed inside a biggish (2m3) cupboard with external ventilation (thus further mitigating noise). The cabling is already there
Now as the basic setting-up stage is nearing completion, I'm starting to wonder, If I should not have gone for a lower-end G5 in stead (SP 1,6-1,8).
Considering that the biggest cost is in the large drives, I am still able to switch horses without much of a (financial) pain.
Specifically I'd like to hear of experiences with running a PM G4 or G5 on a 24/7 -basis.
Also one thing which interests me is the power consumption-aspect: Which one uses more watts?
And please, share anything you feel might be of interest.
Thanks in advance.
Bored and frustrated with "dumb" home-NAS -boxes, I've decided to use some of the (relatively cheap) Apple PPC hardware to create a decent home network server: File serving for the home network (two laptops) and for archiving, web-serving some hobby-pages, iCal synchronization, some FTP and having a computer which can be tasked with continuous processes (something a mobile laptop is not suitable for)...
It's an old plan of mine, which lay dormant for a long time until i stumbled upon someone selling a MDD (Dual 1Ghz) with leopard server thrown in. The machine has been in 24/7 use for some years previously.
So I jumped on it. In my case the description "wind tunnel" was more than apt. I haven't had a machine that noisy since the time when I thought overclocking AMD Athlon's was a hoot.
Anyway, I switched all critical fans (CPU and PSU), added some resonance-damping padding and the noise level is way down. Thanks to "nap", the CPU temperatures are acceptable (39C idle; 52C load) (25C ambient).
I made sure that the fans i installed into the PSU had comparable CFM's, but I'm slightly worried that the PSU might be running hot. Honestly, I did not test the PSU temps under continued load before the modification, but the exterior of the PSU is uncomfortably warm. I might further mod this...
Next stage, I got a Sonnet Sata-card and attached two 2TB- slow-spinning drives to it (software raid 1)
Eventually the machine is to be placed inside a biggish (2m3) cupboard with external ventilation (thus further mitigating noise). The cabling is already there
Now as the basic setting-up stage is nearing completion, I'm starting to wonder, If I should not have gone for a lower-end G5 in stead (SP 1,6-1,8).
Considering that the biggest cost is in the large drives, I am still able to switch horses without much of a (financial) pain.
Specifically I'd like to hear of experiences with running a PM G4 or G5 on a 24/7 -basis.
Also one thing which interests me is the power consumption-aspect: Which one uses more watts?
And please, share anything you feel might be of interest.
Thanks in advance.
) 
