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Audio Decoding KILLS MacPro (2009) green factor
- Thread starter handheldgames
- Start date
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Really, I think an average computer will draw about 100W at idle. A Mac Mini or laptop will dray 25W.
The entire computer yes... But the CPU should be drawing <5watts when it is not doing anything. To be honest, I don't care that much what the exact CPU idle wattage is, it's just that this abnormally high wattage is just another sign that something is not quite right.
I know I am preaching to the choir on this but the Nehalem chips were a major motivator for me to buy this machine, and I want them to work properly. Power management features included...
After 1 hour of playing iTunes, my CPU temps have gone up exactly 5︒C, to 31︒C. I love my MP 1,1! 
Don't mean to be rubbing it in, just wanted to give you guys a data point to compare to.
Don't mean to be rubbing it in, just wanted to give you guys a data point to compare to.
After I wrote my response I remembered that bootcamped Windows installs on MPs do not exhibit the same behaviors. This would nullify any hardware issues entirely. I didn't have a chance to post back until tonight...
It does look like Smakman is onto something with the power management kext though. He is seeing improvement but ran into a showstopper when his MP wouldn't fire up after sleep...
I ordered one yesterday but it hasn't arrived yet. Will post back after it is received...
Deleting that particular kext reminded me a lot of my hackintosh days. Now it feels like dejavu all over again.
I tried it on my Nehalem Quad 2.66 and yes I echo everything from smacman's findings.
I tried it on my Nehalem Quad 2.66 and yes I echo everything from smacman's findings.
- Audio/FW heat gone.
- CPU power usage at idle mode remains at 21W.
- Cant wake from sleep
- Some performance loss in Geekbench.
Hey Folks.....
I've been working with Video Transcoding a pile of MPEG2 content from a Media Center CableCard system with Verizon FIOS down to MP4 files on my 2009 MacPro using the 64 bit version of Handbrake.
Just playing audio instantly drops the FPS of the conversion rate from 38-40 down to 28-30!! No synthetic test here. Where the rise in heat, takes a while to kick in, Simply pausing and unpausing music cause near-instant modifications to the conversion process. It shows how flipping the music switch causes an instant reaction in system performance.
Should note: Performing same test on a 2008 2.8x8 had no effect on performance - frame rate on same clip / setting remained stable between 24-26 fps for the entire test.
Looking forward to the fix!
I've been working with Video Transcoding a pile of MPEG2 content from a Media Center CableCard system with Verizon FIOS down to MP4 files on my 2009 MacPro using the 64 bit version of Handbrake.
Just playing audio instantly drops the FPS of the conversion rate from 38-40 down to 28-30!! No synthetic test here. Where the rise in heat, takes a while to kick in, Simply pausing and unpausing music cause near-instant modifications to the conversion process. It shows how flipping the music switch causes an instant reaction in system performance.
Should note: Performing same test on a 2008 2.8x8 had no effect on performance - frame rate on same clip / setting remained stable between 24-26 fps for the entire test.
Looking forward to the fix!
i emailed my modified story to Wired/Anandtech/tech world news/CNET/Macworld/engadget
so far wired is the only reply at this stage ill keep you posted it seems there all busy with CES this week though.
im glad we have narrowed it down futher to! although in the uk its -5 here so my mac pro temps are now at 43c
so far wired is the only reply at this stage ill keep you posted it seems there all busy with CES this week though.
im glad we have narrowed it down futher to! although in the uk its -5 here so my mac pro temps are now at 43c
Same on my machine. FPS with Handbrake drop instantly by 5 when hitting the play button in iTunes. After pausing the framerate goes up again.
I really hope they fix the major issues of 10.6 with 10.6.3!
Not sure what, in 10.6.3, can be done to resolve the issue. Same OS and apps on 2008 and 2009 Mac Pros are behaving differently in regards to CPU utilization causing performance issues immediately and heat issues in a short time span.
The installer would have to make a distinction of the targeted system on update and install a different KEXT or Apple would need to put forth a new KEXT file for power management that does not adversely impact older systems while fixing the 2009 systems.
Kext.com (http://www.kexts.com/) might be a resource for the power management kext. If we could decompile this kext we could better understand why it is impacting the 2009 systems.
In fact, we need the power management kext files from Mac Pro 1,1; 3,1 and 4,1 (assuming 2006, 2008 and 2009 Mac Pro systems). Then we can compare them line by line to see if the installer is using customized kext files for the different models or not.
What do folks think?
The installer would have to make a distinction of the targeted system on update and install a different KEXT or Apple would need to put forth a new KEXT file for power management that does not adversely impact older systems while fixing the 2009 systems.
Kext.com (http://www.kexts.com/) might be a resource for the power management kext. If we could decompile this kext we could better understand why it is impacting the 2009 systems.
In fact, we need the power management kext files from Mac Pro 1,1; 3,1 and 4,1 (assuming 2006, 2008 and 2009 Mac Pro systems). Then we can compare them line by line to see if the installer is using customized kext files for the different models or not.
What do folks think?
would def be useful to see what has changed (or if they are infact the same from model to model-which i doubt), but tbh i think the only way to fix it would be to play with the values (in a logical way).
System updates are typically machine and hardware sensitive. That is why if you download the 10.6.2 combo update, the file is considerably bigger than the payload that Software Update retrieves (the combo update has packages for all hardware). If they wanted to fix this, they could. Unfortunately however, they think it is a non-issue.
From previous experience on different systems, the "combo" just meant one did not have to download and install in sequence all the previous updates. The "combo" had the current and all previous updates.
Now it could be the installer is system aware, but that is not a "combo" installer, at least given my background and experience.
If anyone is interested, there seems to be a book on the OS internals. The book is called "Mac OS X Internals: A Systems Approach" and can be had from Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Mac-OS-Internals-Systems-Approach/dp/0321278542/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1262874414&sr=8-1)
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Actually that makes sense too... I do seem to remember though that these updates can deliver system specific updates. We shall see I guess...
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I was under the impression that the combo update had all updates necessary to upgrade any apple computer to the latest osx version. each kext/driver/file/etc running on osx is checked by the installer for a modification date or version number-if its outdated then the installer will put the new file on.
I did start reading that book, but its quite intense and one of the only books that I'd actually like a hardcopy of in order to make reading easier!
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Stick to online version. It's hardcover and about 3 inches thick - really awkward to even hold while reading. The best way is to get Alex to read it to you.
Leo
Stick to online version. It's hardcover and about 3 inches thick - really awkward to even hold while reading. The best way is to get Alex to read it to you.
Leo
an audiobook you say? sounds like a great idea. wonder where i could get it from hmm.
Did some reading around the net....
Perhaps they will fix it in 10.6.4?
Uggh.. That audio card is looking like a good stop gap.
Perhaps they will fix it in 10.6.4?
Uggh.. That audio card is looking like a good stop gap.
Did some reading around the net....
Perhaps they will fix it in 10.6.4?
Uggh.. That audio card is looking like a good stop gap.
Did you find something specific stating it won't be fixed in time for 10.6.3? Who are we kidding anyway? There is a really good chance, Apple is not even willing/able to fix it at all...