Calling Mac Pro owners, coil whine or not?

[GearHeadG5]

Ok, so I bought a base 2009 quad core Mac Pro on Megamacs website on their black friday sale. I love everything about the mac, except that it emits a weird whine when running and even more so when turned off after having been run. It doesn't make the noise when first plugged in, or when it is sleeping. The frequency is probably a little lower than a dog whistle, so some people i've showed it to can hear it and some can't.

I have done a lot of testing i.e taking out sticks of RAM, removing video card, HD, etc, and have found that it seems to be the PSU or GPU.

My question: Should I try to get a replacement or is it something that is normal with 2009 Mac Pros?

 

[ybz90]

If it's a coil whine, it's almost definitely the PSU. It's an easy test to just take out the GPU.

I don't have any sort of whine with mine, so I think it comes down to whether or not you can live it if there's nothing wrong functionally.

 

[pertusis1]

Nope. They are generally pretty quiet, especially stock. The volume will go up if you add suped up video cards, etc. I would look for a replacement if I were you, although I don't know if they'll send you one for a sound like that if it works well.

 

[crjackson2134]

Mine is dead quiet, I would get it replaced if possible.

 

[vander]

Yeap, your Mac should not emit a sound...

 

[brand]

Yeap, your Mac should not emit a sound...

Fans, HDD, ODD, and the internal speaker make sounds.

 

[Gav Mack]

The singing capacitor which goes on for a minute or two after switching off?

New PSU most likely required or ask them to exchange it.

 

[Cubemmal]

Another 2009 quad with no whine.

 

[GearHeadG5]

After turning it off, the "coil" whine lasts until I unplug the Mac Pro or turn off the surge protector.

 

[Gav Mack]

After turning it off, the "coil" whine lasts until I unplug the Mac Pro or turn off the surge protector.

A cap will sing and drop it's note when the power goes down or cut. If it stops immediately its likely a coil. Another power pack either way regardless.

 

[MassMacMan]

Another base 2009 quad-core chiming in. I have an early 2009, flashed to 5.1, running a hex-core 3.33 CPU, fully tricked out with add-ons, therefore LOTS of power consumption. Never had anything like what you've been hearing.

 

[cgk.emu]

Fans, HDD, ODD, and the internal speaker make sounds.

I think you knew what he meant. We are talking specifically about the power supply. FWIW mine is just fine, no noise.

 

[bolandross]

I had noise problems with my 2013 Mac Pro. The network adapters (ethernet and wifi) both made whine/crackling noises when data was transmitted. I returned it, got a new one, same problem, money back.

 

[kohlson]

2009 4x2.93, flashed to 5,1. No whine, and I think I am pretty sensitive to these things.

 

[William Payne]

I just tend to get a quiet fan noise and some hard drive noise. It is noticeable but only if the room is silent. Once you start going about your day and stuff you don't overly notice.
[doublepost=1514059041][/doublepost]What GPU do you have?

 

[mattspace]

i get a very quiet hum from the power supply whenever it's plugged in even if the machine's shut down - i've posted about it here before and been told it's normal. What's the power supply standard where you are - 240volt etc? We're on 240 here.