Apple Releases Software Update Addressing Audio-Related Mac Pro Heat and Performance

[Matt-M]

Wow, less than 2 megs for the update? It took how long to determine that something smaller than 2 megs could fix it?

Don't you know the old story about the maintenance guy at a large factory? After he retired one of the big expensive machines broke down and no one else could fix it. He was called in as a consultant and he proceeded to smack the machine once with a hammer, instantly fixing the problem. He then billed the factory $10,000. The manager demanded an explanation why hitting a machine with a hammer should cost $10,000. He replied "Hitting it was only $1. Knowing where to hit it was $9,999".

Some problems can be fixed by changing a single bit, but it might take months to figure out exactly which bit.

FWIW, my CPU temp used to shoot up 20-30 degrees when playing a tune. Just tested and the CPU temp actually decreased. Guess they figured out where to hit it.

 

[Appelflap]

Hope this does the job, my guess is this baby will be benchmarked soon enough

 

[8CoreWhore]

The reason the engineers couldn't fix this sooner is because they were busy getting the audio right of the pages turning in iBooks.

 

[dernhelm]

Wait a minute, I thought they hadn't even acknowledged the problem. Wasn't that the last we heard? I don't see how they could fix a problem they didn't even acknowledge...

 

[yiswitched]

I guess the i7 imac people should expect a fix for this problem around June by apple's time line 0_o

 

[AppleMatt]

Let's hope it's a real FIX !!

If the update has been successfully installed, AudioAUUC version 1.0 should be listed as an extension.

Hang on, so does this mean that the fix is essentially a downgrade until they sort it?

AppleMatt

 

[Justinf79]

Finally! LOL

 

[Hurda]

From the original MR-article:

According to reports, the symptoms are present when running under either Mac OS X 10.5 or 10.6

From the update-site:

This update is for Mac Pro (Early 2009) computers running Mac OS X v10.6.2.

Something's missing...

 

[J the Ninja]

From the original MR-article:


From the update-site:


Something's missing...

Since when has Apple EVER fixed bugs in previous releases of OS X?

 

[gglockner]

Woo-hoo! Huge improvement in performance. It's like getting an upgrade for free. Too bad the Mac Pro wasn't this way out-of-the-box.

 

[thejadedmonkey]

Now Apple just needs to work on the fix for Leopard!

 

[Aravintht]

works a treat for me!

Thanks apple!

 

[Stridder44]

Don't you know the old story about the maintenance guy at a large factory? After he retired one of the big expensive machines broke down and no one else could fix it. He was called in as a consultant and he proceeded to smack the machine once with a hammer, instantly fixing the problem. He then billed the factory $10,000. The manager demanded an explanation why hitting a machine with a hammer should cost $10,000. He replied "Hitting it was only $1. Knowing where to hit it was $9,999".

Some problems can be fixed by changing a single bit, but it might take months to figure out exactly which bit.

FWIW, my CPU temp used to shoot up 20-30 degrees when playing a tune. Just tested and the CPU temp actually decreased. Guess they figured out where to hit it.

Awesome story.

 

[Inconsequential]

Testing in progress. Report in 20.

 

[tmuller]

AudioAUUC:

Version: 1.4
Last Modified: 2/9/10 8:10 PM
Kind: Intel
Architectures: i386, x86_64
64-Bit (Intel): Yes
Location: /System/Library/Extensions/AudioAUUC.kext
Kext Version: 1.4
Load Address: 0xffffff7f810b7000
Valid: Yes
Authentic: Yes
Dependencies: Satisfied


I have 10.6.3 Build 10D552 installed.

 

[Inconsequential]

I CAN CONFIRM THIS IS FIXED.

Run 1: No Music
Run 2: Music
Run 3: No Music
Run 4: Music


WOOHOO!!!

 

[Inconsequential]

Merged posts, how embarrasing!

Run 1: No Music
Run 2: Music
Run 3: No Music

Pretty much there.

3-5W idle/3-5W when playing audio.

Need to test the FW800 hard disk but otherwise we've cracked it

Edit: FW800 Hard-disk access bug fixed too.

WOOHOO!!!

 

[wonderspark]

AudioAUUC:

Version: 1.4
Last Modified: 2/9/10 8:10 PM
Kind: Intel
Architectures: i386, x86_64
64-Bit (Intel): Yes
Location: /System/Library/Extensions/AudioAUUC.kext
Kext Version: 1.4
Load Address: 0xffffff7f810b7000
Valid: Yes
Authentic: Yes
Dependencies: Satisfied


I have 10.6.3 Build 10D552 installed.

Huh. After update, mine reads:
AudioAUUC:

Version: 1.2
Last Modified: 11/4/09 12:50 AM
Kind: Intel
Architectures: i386, x86_64
64-Bit (Intel): Yes
Location: /System/Library/Extensions/AudioAUUC.kext
Kext Version: 1.2
Load Address: 0x83d3d000
Valid: Yes
Authentic: Yes
Dependencies: Satisfied

I'm on 10.6.2. I don't get it, but I can say that the update works for me, regardless of being version 1.0, 1.2, or whatever it is or should be in reality.

 

[tonydickinson]

MacPro 2009 Audio Update.

Thank you to this forum and to those that managed to bring in the press to wake Apple up to the concern that many MacPro 2009 owners have experienced since buying the flagship Apple MacPro in 2009 and later.

Thank you Apple and I forgive you for the many hours wasted talking to your AppleCare guys only to be fobbed of with the "within limits" excuse, while really feeling uncomfortable that it is necessary to run at 156 watts from 52watts just to play an iTunes track or any application using the internal audio.

The expensive fan heater was not a joke as that is how it felt using and sitting besides my MacPro in an average 31 degrees ambient Singapore.

It has now been playing iTunes for over an hour and the power consumption has remained stable at 57watts and a Bresink (HardwareMonitor) temp of CPU core diodes of 38 and 39 degrees respectively. This is what I would expect.

I AM very grateful Apple thank you again - it works!!! Apple please listen to the owners of your flagship products we do not all whine for the sake of it.

I am happy now thanks to Ars Technica, CNET and all, and Apple for dealing with the problem quickly once the problem got through to Cupertino...

 

[diazj3]

Seems to work OK

I guess it's fixed. I performed a test playing various files, one over the other, for 15 minutes:

• Flash radio streaming via Safari
• MP3 song via iTunes
• AVI movie via QuickTime x
• AAC song via VLC
• TV station via EyeTV w/elGato 250+
• AAC via Quicktime 7
• Audio file via Soundtrack Pro

As far as temperatures go (CPU A Temp Diode and CPU Core 1), they rose ≈2ºc when multiple Safari tabs and a Flash audio stream was launched. Temperatures further rose gradually ≈3ºc when the first 3 files/apps played simultaneously, and added ≈2ºc when reaching the end of the test with Soundtrack Pro (which is a heavy app). User CPU% ≈5.6.

Temperatures went back down ≈6ºc as all files and apps were closed, except for the flash audio streaming in Safari. User CPU% ≈1.2.

(See attached Temperature Monitor Graph. Minimum temperatures are from startup after being off all day. CPU %User is 5.6 at the end of test according to activity monitor, though AM hasn't proved to be reliable in this issue. I have no data about power consumption, will purchase Hardware Monitor today - uninstalled iStat 'cause it gave me some trouble)

So this seems to work OK. No glitches or side effects noted so far - but still I'll have to test my USB and firewire audio devices to make sure they work after this.

Good job by everyone involved in raising awareness and developing the fix.

 

[iberroa]

Nahalem Audio Fix

Works great on my Quad 2.6 Nahalem system. My temperatures are now much lower while playing audio. My system feels faster overall. Logging into Local (non Open Directory) accounts are much quicker for some reason. Overall a great fix.

 

[Steve Jobs.]

omgosh i love you so much apple for making fixing $3-5k quad/octo core computers so they are able to play music without excessive heat and fan use!!! <3 your the best i just wish i could marry steve jobs 4eva.

Sorry, wanted to feel like a few regulars on here.

hell no

 

[galapogosgill]

geekbench results

geekbench score

before software update : 7774

after software update : 8240

I see my temp dropped 30 degrees already

incredible, I can tell the difference already on start up of apps, esp itunes.

good work on bringing attention to apple on this one yall!

 

[rjheys]

Yep

Worked for me, running at a cool 35 degrees c now while listening to iTunes, quite a big change from the 55-60 I have had to put up with over the last few months.

 

[midwestshooter]

temps

OK. I installed it.

How do I read my temperatures in this mac Pro??