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Identifying G5 Quad noise

M

Mileham

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2017
45
4
Cascadia
Hello, first post here. I searched through the FAQ but this link regarding fans is dead (and was for G4 only, it seems). However if I have missed a relevant thread please let me know!

I have a G5 Quad that I purchased from a graphics company selling their old Macs. Under CPU-intensive load, the dull repetitive 'clicking' noise that is audible as it idles, gets louder and louder. I can't quite tell what is generating this noise -- CPU fans? LCS pump? But I am not familiar enough with the internals of this machine to pinpoint it. I have not attempted a 'teardown'.

Overall I would like to make this Quad as quiet as possible.

Thanks.
 
I only own the dual core 2ghz G5 from this generation but, as far as I know, the clicking noise I hear from it comes from the machine's fans which spin really slowly.

It doesn't get louder in my case (unless I get a kernel panic and the fans go full blast), but the goal of the PMG5's cooling system was to be as quiet as possible.

What temperature do your machine's sensors return ? Depending on it, there may not be a reason to worry, because the fans speed of course may rise if it gets hotter.
 
Thanks, XaPHER. I will have to check tonight when I'm home. I wonder if I will need to replace any fans. If so, I have no idea what size they are, and where to get replacements that meet or exceed original fans. Ideally, they would be quieter. :)
 
Ideally, you shouldn't be replacing them. They're pulse width modulation (PWM) 4-wires fans. There isn't much matter of efficiency because they're software-controlled. Also, they normally aren't getting more noisy because of wear; They're not spinning fast enough.

Although I may be wrong about the noise because I haven't seen a LCS model yet.

Is the Quad that noisy?
 
OK thanks. It's not that noisy, just that it clicks repeatedly, kind of like a metronome. I wonder if the air-cooled G5s are quieter, when not under load, or more like the 'wind tunnel' G4s I have heard about.
 
Windtunnel's are noisy as hell. Aircooled G5 are quieter, but does clicking sounds.
 
I mention this only because no one else has so far, a very common cause of clicking noises can be an early indication of a failing HDD.

or not...:oops:
 
Last edited:
jbarley said:
I mention this only because no one else has so far, a very common cause of clicking noises can be a sign of a failing HDD.
Click to expand...

Thanks -- there is only a new SSD in it but that certainly would be something to watch out for when I add one
 
XaPHER said:
I only own the dual core 2ghz G5 from this generation but, as far as I know, the clicking noise I hear from it comes from the machine's fans which spin really slowly.

It doesn't get louder in my case (unless I get a kernel panic and the fans go full blast), but the goal of the PMG5's cooling system was to be as quiet as possible.

What temperature do your machine's sensors return ? Depending on it, there may not be a reason to worry, because the fans speed of course may rise if it gets hotter.
Click to expand...

CPU B is running at 50 degrees Celsius (core 2 diode)
 
Also, when it is filled up with dust, can make it louder fans.
Some have had dried out thermal paste under the CPU, but don't replace that before intensive research, because you would need an Apple Service Diagnostics CD to recalibrate the fans afterwards, when you did something to the CPU.

Someone already mentioned the clicking could be a worn out bearing of a fan.
 
Cox Orange said:
Also, when it is filled up with dust, can make it louder fans.
Some have had dried out thermal paste under the CPU, but don't replace that before intensive research, because you would need an Apple Service Diagnostics CD to recalibrate the fans afterwards, when you did something to the CPU.

Someone already mentioned the clicking could be a worn out bearing of a fan.
Click to expand...

Thanks, yeah I don't have the ASD disc. Is it possible to oil the fan bearing?
 
Mileham said:
Thanks, yeah I don't have the ASD disc. Is it possible to oil the fan bearing?
Click to expand...
Oh, I assume not, but I don't know. But others may tell you. In the meantime you could search the PowerPC Subforum, there is a thread dedicated to overhauling a G5.
 
Ran a stress test (using Power Fractal) and the temp never exceeded 70 Celsius. Hopefully that is normal. The fans of course ramped up, but the clicking sound never got worse. I can live with it. By the way, I'm using Bresink's Hardware Monitor.
 
70 Celsius is reasonable for a stress test. Is the inside of the machine clean? When I acquire a new machine I always blow the dust out. It once helped reduce noise from fans on a laptop.
 
XaPHER said:
70 Celsius is reasonable for a stress test. Is the inside of the machine clean? When I acquire a new machine I always blow the dust out. It once helped reduce noise from fans on a laptop.
Click to expand...

OK good. Yes I cleaned it with compressed air after buying it. Perhaps will do a second dust check, thanks.
 
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