I just purchased a new (used, of course, but new to me) PowerMac G4 Dual 1.42GHz MDD. I've been using Macs for many years but this is a new beast, apparently, with a bunch of its own idiosynchrocies: some I've not encountered before with previous Macs. Reading about others' unfortunate experiences with these, I'd like to exercise caution and practice a bit of preventative maintenance to avoid making some of the same mistakes.
It's loud and noisy. I understand it's supposed to be, I believe this is the one nicknamed "WindTunnel", but just how loud and noisy is what's considered "normal"? The fan speed changes, I understand, because it's thermally controlled but sometimes it gets scary high-speed-fast like it's trying to take off! I shut it down. Is this "normal"? (The speed, that is, not the fact that I shut it down.
)
Perhaps the loudest fan is the one on the graphics card. Not so much motor noise, I think, as rattling/vibration or some internal contact/rubbing. The inside is extremely clean with virtually no dust. What can be done about this and, in general, do these small onboard fans require any sort of lubrication?
Researching these, I keep coming across references to "thermal paste", "thermal grease", Arctic Silver Fox, etc. Is this something that actually needs regular periodic attention, reapplication or only during processor upgrades?
(I realize G5s now have cooling systems and radiators but does this MDD have to "go in for a lube and oil change"?)
It seems heat or general overheating is a major issue with these models. Reading an archived post concerning installing additional drives got me thinking.
Since I have 3 open slots and more than that many extra drives, I thought I'd fill the cages. However, since at this time, I don't really NEED the extra drive space and probably won't usually use them, is this a bad idea?
The warnings of "heat issues, especially for the second drive in the ATA/100 slot (closest to the heat sink) and "toast(ing) the second ATA/100 drive" has gotten me a bit concerned. I've lost a drive or two in the past and do NOT care to again!
However, as I do want to install at least one extra, if heat/circulation is that much of a problem, might it be more advisable to install the second drive in the front to allow for more air space around each thus better ventilation of both? To me, forfeiting a wee bit of speed in exchange for not "toast(ing) the second " drive is a fair trade-off.
If this were to be done, should both be set as "masters" with no slaves?
I see all sorts of suggestions to add extra fans, install pci slot fans, replace the speaker with another fan, etc. Is all this additional ventilation just "not a bad idea", total overkill or an actual necessity?
Are there any other issues, behaviors, quirks, etc. peculiar to this machine that I should be made aware of?
Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom and the benefit of your experience!
S
It's loud and noisy. I understand it's supposed to be, I believe this is the one nicknamed "WindTunnel", but just how loud and noisy is what's considered "normal"? The fan speed changes, I understand, because it's thermally controlled but sometimes it gets scary high-speed-fast like it's trying to take off! I shut it down. Is this "normal"? (The speed, that is, not the fact that I shut it down.
)Perhaps the loudest fan is the one on the graphics card. Not so much motor noise, I think, as rattling/vibration or some internal contact/rubbing. The inside is extremely clean with virtually no dust. What can be done about this and, in general, do these small onboard fans require any sort of lubrication?
Researching these, I keep coming across references to "thermal paste", "thermal grease", Arctic Silver Fox, etc. Is this something that actually needs regular periodic attention, reapplication or only during processor upgrades?
(I realize G5s now have cooling systems and radiators but does this MDD have to "go in for a lube and oil change"?)
It seems heat or general overheating is a major issue with these models. Reading an archived post concerning installing additional drives got me thinking.
Since I have 3 open slots and more than that many extra drives, I thought I'd fill the cages. However, since at this time, I don't really NEED the extra drive space and probably won't usually use them, is this a bad idea?
The warnings of "heat issues, especially for the second drive in the ATA/100 slot (closest to the heat sink) and "toast(ing) the second ATA/100 drive" has gotten me a bit concerned. I've lost a drive or two in the past and do NOT care to again!
However, as I do want to install at least one extra, if heat/circulation is that much of a problem, might it be more advisable to install the second drive in the front to allow for more air space around each thus better ventilation of both? To me, forfeiting a wee bit of speed in exchange for not "toast(ing) the second " drive is a fair trade-off.
If this were to be done, should both be set as "masters" with no slaves?
I see all sorts of suggestions to add extra fans, install pci slot fans, replace the speaker with another fan, etc. Is all this additional ventilation just "not a bad idea", total overkill or an actual necessity?
Are there any other issues, behaviors, quirks, etc. peculiar to this machine that I should be made aware of?
Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom and the benefit of your experience!
S
