Mac Pro SMC Firmware Update 8-8-07

[iGrouch]

Hi

I have just started to experience the fan noise after installing 2GB RAM kit from Crucial in my Mac Pro. This never happened before when there was just 3 GB installed. I have checked with Tech Tool Pro and AHT extended and they don't report anything wrong. This only happens on wake from sleep and otherwise stays quite.

Of note:

The fans ramp up gradually and the die down again over approximately 40 sec.

Using Temperature Monitor my six DiMMS read as follows

A1 69°C 1GB Trans International
A2 70°C 1GB Trans International
A3 52°C 512MB Apple
A4 52°C 512MB Apple
B1 52°C 1GB Crucial
B2 61°C 1GB Crucial

These are roughly the temps at the moment and I notice that the new Crucial DIMMS are lower than the Trans International that i installed last year when I got the Mac Pro.

Perhaps the SMC firmware just kicks in with the new combined activity. Is that normal though?

Will call Apple in the morning

 

[iGrouch]

OK.

Sorted. The fan noise is not normal. I called Apple and from my description they though that the fans should not behave this way from sleep.

I ran a few new configs with the RAM.

I removed the trans International and put the new Crucial into A1 and A2 in their place and put the Apple RAAM into B1 and B2. The Mac ran fine so this ruled out the crucial RAM being the problem.

I then added the Trans International into B1 and B2, moving the Apple to A3 and A4. Restarted and evrything is fine now.

Looking at the temp readings in the original config and the Trans International was running at about 70°C, higher the the other four DIMMs, when it was adjacent to the Apple memory and stuffed nearest the logic board. On riser B, on its own the Trans RAM is much cooler. I don't no if the fact that that RAM has more fins in the heat sink makes it less reliable next to the 3 / 4 fin of the regular RAM. I am guessing that if I ever need to fill B3 and B4 I need to be careful on the way I configure the RAM there.

Anyway I thought I was posted the results as it may be helpful to someone else.

 

[pgwalsh]

OK.

Sorted. The fan noise is not normal. I called Apple and from my description they though that the fans should not behave this way from sleep.

Could you describe what occurred when in sleep mode, please. I am curious because when I manually put my Mac Pro to sleep all is fine, but when it puts it self in sleep mode - through energy saver - either the hard drive's wind up and down every few minutes or the fans do. It's so annoying. I use the same room to read books and it's very distracting.