Positioning of Powermac G5 sideways

Hi there,

If your G5 doesn't use liquid cooling, the consensus seems to be that laying the G5 on its side is okay.

The warning on page 5 of the User's Guide specifically says that the computer should be operated in an upright position. Not sure why liquid cooling would make a difference since the cooling unit uses a pump and doesn't rely on convection for flow.

Don't lay the PowerMac sideways, there are heat sensors located in certain locations and since heat rises the sensors won't work correctly.

Just look at the underside of the "roof" of your drive bays and you'll see a sensor.

There's no problem laying G5s on there side as long as you don't have the liquid cooling models (2.5 and 2.7). The problem with those models are that the liquid can't circulate properly when they are on their side (a problem I almost experienced first hand).

I have plenty of colleagues that have side ways mounted G5s (all of them Dual 2.0) and none of them have experienced any heat issues in almost 2 years.

Remember just because nothing happens in two years doesn't mean a collective longterm damage is occuring which could likely will revel itself after the AppleCare has expired. 😀

Remember just because nothing happens in two years doesn't mean a collective longterm damage is occuring which could likely will revel itself after the AppleCare has expired.

True, but when they are the heart of $85,000+ audio workstations and involved in recording the scores for 100+ million dollar movies, we had to do an exhaustive amount of research to verify there won't be any long term issues. 😉

True, but when they are the heart of $85,000+ audio workstations and involved in recording the scores for 100+ million dollar movies, we had to do an exhaustive amount of research to verify there won't be any long term issues. 😉

ahh well yes of course, but I'm sure you'll agree that your ideal cooling conditions and access to technical resources is not reflective of the good portion of PowerMac G5 users and thier enviroments/budgets. 😉

I'd have to agree with the others that say dont put on it's side.

From my years of building Windows PC's that rely on shear mass airflow for cooling, it doesnt matter as much which position it's in.
The PMG5 has a sophisticated cooling design which relies on certain airflows placing the heat to be detected by the sensors.

It seems to me if Apple would have intended running on it's side then there would be feet to allow this.

There may not ever be any problem like others have noted but if I was so inclined, I'd keep a close watch on the temps, at least for awhile to be safe.

If you are so inclined (no pun intended) to orient your liquid cooled G5 horizontally, install it so that the removable door is facing up.

Doing this will place the pump at a lower elevation than the other side up and improves the inlet priming of the pump.

As for "heat rising", actually heat doesn't rise. warmed air becomes less dense and will tend to rise as the air circulates by natural convection. Since each section of the G5 chassis has forced convection (aka "fans") these will overcome the natural convection, so orientation will have little effect on overall component temperatures.

KK

Don't do it...it specifically says not to in the manual that comes with it.

I bet you can find a way to keep it upright.

Maybe under the desk?

Behind the monitor?

eh eh?

I look at it this way, Apple says don't do it, they designed the thing, they must have their reasons.

Although if you hired your own engineer and found out you can with some PowerMacs doesn't mean everyone can with all PowerMacs.

So unless you hire your own engineer and take the responsibility on yourself for the repair costs associated with not following Apple's guidelines, then it's best to do as they say.

For example, the University of Virginia Tech built a supercomputer of 1100 DP PowerMac G5's and everyone of them was upright. (they now use the X-servers)

Another example, a video rendering outfit near Hollywood has over 600 DP PowerMac G5's as their render farm. Every one one those in their render room is upright on large metal shelves, instead of laying on their sides in a labor saving rack mounted system.

So until Apple says somewhere that certain models of PowerMacs can be safely on their side, I wouldn't do it. The damage may occur slowly and not appear until after your AppleCare has expired.