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The electrical buzzing sound is normal right?
- Thread starter davelanger
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+2
Aren't you scared the genius is going to scratch your baby?
How did you get your Mac Pro to the store? In the original packaging?
Aren't you scared the genius is going to scratch your baby?
How did you get your Mac Pro to the store? In the original packaging?
Definitely scared...I think that's something I can only admit here
Fortunately, I'm neurotic about keeping original packaging, so I still had the box and styrofoam they shipped it in. Thank goodness for those handles on the sides of the box!
Sad news
I got my MP back today but the buzz is still there. I'm pretty sure it's quieter than before and almost easily overshadowed by the PSU fan itself. But, the pattern still sounds the same. Not entirely sure what to do at this point. It's not audible enough to bother me, I'm just worried about any other possible damage. At least I'm under AppleCare for quite some time longer.
Wish I could have a listen to all of those claiming there's no buzzing...maybe this is all in my head
I got my MP back today but the buzz is still there. I'm pretty sure it's quieter than before and almost easily overshadowed by the PSU fan itself. But, the pattern still sounds the same. Not entirely sure what to do at this point. It's not audible enough to bother me, I'm just worried about any other possible damage. At least I'm under AppleCare for quite some time longer.
Wish I could have a listen to all of those claiming there's no buzzing...maybe this is all in my head
Sad news
I got my MP back today but the buzz is still there. I'm pretty sure it's quieter than before and almost easily overshadowed by the PSU fan itself. But, the pattern still sounds the same. Not entirely sure what to do at this point. It's not audible enough to bother me, I'm just worried about any other possible damage. At least I'm under AppleCare for quite some time longer.
Wish I could have a listen to all of those claiming there's no buzzing...maybe this is all in my head
Gahh.. what's wrong with you, Apple?
Are you sure it's not as loud as before?
Gahh.. what's wrong with you, Apple?
Are you sure it's not as loud as before?
It's hard to tell, but I think I was wrong...it sounds pretty similar. Fortunately, I still can't hear it unless I get up to the PSU so it's not obnoxious. I brought it in because I was worried it may cause damage down the road. At least I have a service record now with this issue so bringing it in again shouldn't be an issue if it I go that route. Have you gotten your second replacement yet?
No, no yet. I have received shipping confirmation today and it should be here on/before Friday.
Man, that really sucks about the buzzing. I just don't understand why we have the buzz and others don't?! Could someone who says his/her PSU isn't buzzing please make a recording?
No, no yet. I have received shipping confirmation today and it should be here on/before Friday.
Man, that really sucks about the buzzing. I just don't understand why we have the buzz and others don't?! Could someone who says his/her PSU isn't buzzing please make a recording?
Ok I got a second opinion (from someone who doesn't visit this forum daily
) and was told that it sounds better...more like a fan than a buzz. She heard it before I sent it in. I figure I'm not very impartial and am probably not hearing straight after this Either way, this just shows that I have no reference point. A recording would be very nice, as would a quiet Apple Store with a Mac Pro on display. Let's work on the more reasonable first idea.
I tried to make a recording of mine for comparison. Here's the link (I'm new to hosting from Dropbox so hopefully it works):Buzzing(?) audio track
Good luck with your new MP 2contagious!
Sounds like a fan and a faint high pitch whine, not a buzz/hum. The fan noise is fine, but its the whine that bothers me (shouldn't be there).Ok I got a second opinion (from someone who doesn't visit this forum daily
Either way, this just shows that I have no reference point. A recording would be very nice, as would a quiet Apple Store with a Mac Pro on display. Let's work on the more reasonable first idea.
Buzzing(?) audio track
Good luck with your new MP 2contagious!
Thanks for taking the time to listen nanofrog. That's a really good way to describe it...I knew something was different this time. My previous PSU had a very distinct buzz that would rapidly change pitch. I was thrown off because this noise is constant, albeit quieter (I think). The genius mentioned he didn't believe it to be a damage-causing problem, so I wonder if this quieter noise would still get their attention if I were to bring it in again.
NP. I'd take it in, and hopefully they'll get you sorted (just get them to replace the PSU, not the entire system).
You should even be able to wait a bit, though annoying, in order to give them time to get the PSU issues sorted (supplier problems, bad batch,...). Otherwise, you may keep getting replacement units from the same bad batch/supplier if you keep doing this in rapid succession until you get a quiet one (could also piss them off a bit).
Something to think about anyway.
I'd take it in, and hopefully they'll get you sorted (just get them to replace the PSU, not the entire system).
You should even be able to wait a bit, though annoying, in order to give them time to get the PSU issues sorted (supplier problems, bad batch,...). Otherwise, you may keep getting replacement units from the same bad batch/supplier if you keep doing this in rapid succession until you get a quiet one (could also piss them off a bit).
Something to think about anyway.
That's a great idea; didn't want to bring it back right away anyways. If any damage occurs in the meantime, at least it's covered
I'm sure it'll be fine and I'll certainly report back after handing it over to them down the road. Still interested to hear how 2contagious's round 2 turns out
Hi,
I have just received my 2nd replacement - Same problem. The PSU is still buzzing and I noticed the PSU also gives off a high pitch noise when the Mac Pro is connected to mains, but turned off. At least this Mac Pro is not scratched like my first replacement.. so I think I will keep it (?!).. the buzzing is REALLY annoying though and worries me a lot.. and I didn't hear a high pitch noise coming from the PSU before either.. as I said now it's giving off a high pitch noise while turned off, but it also seems to be switching from buzzing to high pitch whining every now and then.. definitely sound like some electronic defect.
I have made a recording of the sound (when it's buzzing):
https://files.me.com/christianschmeer/5kc4rt.mov
I have just received my 2nd replacement - Same problem. The PSU is still buzzing and I noticed the PSU also gives off a high pitch noise when the Mac Pro is connected to mains, but turned off. At least this Mac Pro is not scratched like my first replacement.. so I think I will keep it (?!).. the buzzing is REALLY annoying though and worries me a lot
.. and I didn't hear a high pitch noise coming from the PSU before either.. as I said now it's giving off a high pitch noise while turned off, but it also seems to be switching from buzzing to high pitch whining every now and then.. definitely sound like some electronic defect.I have made a recording of the sound (when it's buzzing):
https://files.me.com/christianschmeer/5kc4rt.mov
Wait a bit, and then schedule an appointment in order to get a new PSU (keep the system, but swap out the bad part).Hi,
I have just received my 2nd replacement - Same problem. The PSU is still buzzing and I noticed the PSU also gives off a high pitch noise when the Mac Pro is connected to mains, but turned off. At least this Mac Pro is not scratched like my first replacement.. so I think I will keep it (?!).. the buzzing is REALLY annoying though and worries me a lot
I have made a recording of the sound (when it's buzzing):
https://files.me.com/christianschmeer/5kc4rt.mov
The wait is intended to keep you from getting another bad unit (bad batch or supplier) yet again.
That is exactly the sound my line conditioner makes when someone turns a hair dryer on elsewhere in the house, and when the incoming voltage is too high (as indicated by the LEDs on the front of the line conditioner).
You are on your second or third one now, all with the same problem. I'd say the power supply in this model MP is not liking your power.
I would plug your MP into a line conditioner or a UPS with a line conditioner, not a cheap power strip or cheap UPS.
I've lived with a line conditioner for 15 years in three different towns and believe me, bad power is a very common event as evidenced from the display on the line conditioner and the noises it makes when the power gets really bad.
You are on your second or third one now, all with the same problem. I'd say the power supply in this model MP is not liking your power.
I would plug your MP into a line conditioner or a UPS with a line conditioner, not a cheap power strip or cheap UPS.
I've lived with a line conditioner for 15 years in three different towns and believe me, bad power is a very common event as evidenced from the display on the line conditioner and the noises it makes when the power gets really bad.
I have tried direct connection to mains, connection via 'APC Line R 1200VA power conditioner', as well as connection via 'LINDY Mains Power Conditioner'. In all three cases the power supply buzzes..
Hi,
I have just received my 2nd replacement - Same problem. The PSU is still buzzing and I noticed the PSU also gives off a high pitch noise when the Mac Pro is connected to mains, but turned off. At least this Mac Pro is not scratched like my first replacement.. so I think I will keep it (?!).. the buzzing is REALLY annoying though and worries me a lot
I have made a recording of the sound (when it's buzzing):
https://files.me.com/christianschmeer/5kc4rt.mov
Wow very sorry to hear that. That audio file is exactly what my first PSU sounded like. I can't believe it's actually making noise when off too. That tiny bit of 'vampire' power draw is enough to upset the power supply? That's nuts.
I'm going to take nanofrog's advice and wait a while before taking mine back. If you live near an Apple Store, perhaps you can just get your PSU replaced instead of the entire machine. I'm reading about power conditioners and UPSs, trying to decide which route to go. If I get one, I'll report back here any changes. Although it's disappointing to hear you haven't any luck with those.
I noticed that the buzzing changes frequency/rhythm when using the sliders in Lightroom, especially the graphically intense effects like lens distortion correction. That makes me think.. the 5870 video card needs A LOT of power and even needs two extra power cables that are connected to the motherboard. Is it possible that the buzzing is some kind of power issue coming from the graphics card making PSUs buzz?
I was thinking this as well before I brought mine in. But if they can reproduce it at the Apple Store, doesn't it eliminate (or reduce) the chance that this is a wall power issue? Either that or their power sucks too
That's a really good point that I forgot to mention earlier. On my first PSU, Handbrake encodes would make the PSU slightly more audible. It makes sense that it'd be more general than the graphics card pulling extra power. I bet as the system demands more power, the PSU issue is amplified. Unfortunately, I never checked this out with graphics-intensive operations on my previous PSU (I have the 5870 as well so it would've been a good test).
Mines getting louder and louder now, and my HD4870 fan is rattling like anything so it's a trip to the Apple Store
You having the 5870 as well might be a sign (although a very small one). We'll have to find someone with a 5770 and a buzzing PSU
I am ordering a GT120 card next week (the one that was in 2009 Mac Pros), so I'll see what the buzzing is like with the GT120.
Dissolve, how much less noisy is the sound your PSU makes now? Is there a lot of difference? I have an appointment for the Genius bar next week and I'll try to get them to replace the PSU. As far as I could tell (at that noise level in store), the 2.4 Octo they had on display did not have a buzzing PSU.
btw. do you also have any sound card issues (crackles?)
btw. do you also have any sound card issues (crackles?)
I can't really quantify it, but most of the time it is definitely quieter. It generally doesn't make that electrical buzzing sound anymore (caught it doing that a few times though). Instead, there's a steady high pitch that's buried below the fan noise...I can only hear it if I put my ear against the PSU just right. I may stop by the Apple Store this weekend and listen to their MP on display to compare as well.
I don't have any crackles coming from speakers. Turning on a small fan in my room will sometimes make them pop though; thanks, old apartment
Good luck with the Genius Bar! At least they'll hopefully check out the new PSU after installing it instead of giving you a new, boxed MP.