2009 Mac Pro - a couple of tech info updates for ya

[WonderSausage]

So as not to get lost in the 500+ replies on my original unboxing thread...

A couple of interesting tech items:

1. The OWC RAM is exactly the same as the Apple RAM (except being 2GB DIMMs). I'm sure if I ordered 2GB DIMMs from Apple I would get precisely the same model number as the OWC RAM.

2. The dual heatsink towers each actually have a 60mm booster fan inside each heatsink itself.

 

[Outsider]

Ah ha! i figured they would have to do some sort of active cooling on the processor itself. Very interesting. Did they make it so you can easily swap it out if one dies?

 

[Infrared]

Ah, so that's the extra fan ("BOOSTA") here:

That was a single quad machine. Original thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/666688/

 

[Eithanius]

As I recall, the Mac Pro model from 2006 through 2008 have 4 fans registered through smcFanControl of which 2 can be controlled. I wonder if it reads and controls the booster fans with the new Mac Pro.

And I can imagine one would have a hard time dusting the booster fans without taking apart the heatsinks.

 

[-js-]

Thanks for posting this! Great to know!

 

[Outsider]

And I can imagine one would have a hard time dusting the booster fans without taking apart the heatsinks.

That's what I'm thinking. but with the slide out tray, it may be easier. Never the less, we need pictures!

 

[Maximono]

I came across this guy on flickr who has pics of his new 2009 macpro also shows the fan inside the heatsinks. http://www.flickr.com/photos/raitank/

Here is the picture of the heatsink fan http://www.flickr.com/photos/raitank/3347857821/

 

[JediMac]

1. The OWC RAM is exactly the same as the Apple RAM (except being 2GB DIMMs). I'm sure if I ordered 2GB DIMMs from Apple I would get precisely the same model number as the OWC RAM.

I'm most likely going to get the 2.93 4-core, so if I'm reading this correctly, I can get the OWC RAM for $149.00 instead of paying Apple $250.00. It looks like a simple install, am I missing anything here? Is it that simple?

 

[Fomaphone]

I'm most likely going to get the 2.93 4-core, so if I'm reading this correctly, I can get the OWC RAM for $149.00 instead of paying Apple $250.00. It looks like a simple install, am I missing anything here? Is it that simple?

yes, it's that simple. all you need is clean hands and an IQ above your shoe size

 

[JediMac]

I think I qualify then, but I'll check my shoe size first!

 

[Infrared]

I came across this guy on flickr who has pics of his new 2009 macpro also shows the fan inside the heatsinks. http://www.flickr.com/photos/raitank/

Here is the picture of the heatsink fan http://www.flickr.com/photos/raitank/3347857821/

Nice pics!

I notice the upper front intake fan is recessed quite a bit.
I wonder why that is.

 

[Outsider]

Nice pics!

I notice the upper front intake fan is recessed quite a bit.
I wonder why that is.

Oh wow! They are IN the heat-sink! Very sneaky Apple!

 

[Maximono]

I Notice that someone's picture of the new quad has a massive heatsink on it like twice the size of the octo's I wonder if that has a fan in it or maybe with a double sized cooler it doesn't need one? Anyone got any idea's? I know it's harder to see because the tray doesn't pull out in the quads.

 

[Infrared]

I Notice that someone's picture of the new quad has a massive heatsink on it like twice the size of the octo's I wonder if that has a fan in it or maybe with a double sized cooler it doesn't need one? Anyone got any idea's? I know it's harder to see because the tray doesn't pull out in the quads.

The answer is already above in this thread. Yes, the single quad
does have a fan.

 

[J the Ninja]

Nice pics!

I notice the upper front intake fan is recessed quite a bit.
I wonder why that is.

I believe it is to keep it out of the way of where the optical drive's SATA headers are. There are what looks like some fan cables there too. The OP of the unboxing thread posted a pic of that spot.