ATI Radeon 2600 XT Fan Noise

Question

Level 1

8 points

ATI Radeon 2600 XT Fan Noise

I just received my new Mac Pro on Friday - it shipped with 10.5.4 installed. After looking at some of the new features of Leopard (had only used Tiger previously), I installed all the available updates -- these were:

Mac OS X Update 10.5.5
Aluminum Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0
Java For Mac OS X 10.5 Update 2
iTunes 8.0
Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 2.2
QuickTime 7.5.5
Remote Desktop Client Update 3.2.2
Front Row Update

All the updates were successful and no issues were apparent until this morning. The fan on the graphics card (ATI Radeon 2600 XT) now seems to be running at full speed, regardless of what is running. Just idling at the Desktop the fan still runs at full speed. A soft reset of the SMC has also been done - no change. Is this a known issue? Is anybody else experiencing this? I've also posted my temps below:

Ambient Air 24.0C
CPU A Temperature Diode 34.0C
CPU B Temperature Diode 35.0C
CPU C Temperature Diode 35.0C
CPU D Temperature Diode 35.0C
CPU A Heatsink 32.0C
CPU B Heatsink 32.0C
Hard Drive Bay 1 28.0C
Hard Drive Bay 2 26.0C
Hard Drive Bay 3 27.0C
Hard Drive Bay 4 27.0C
Memory Bank A Point 1 35.0C
Memory Bank A Point 2 33.0C
Memory Bank A Point 3 34.0C
Memory Bank B Point 1 35.0C
Memory Bank B Point 2 37.0C
Memory Bank B Point 3 35.0C
Memory Module A1 48.0C
Memory Module B1 48.0C
Northbridge Heat Sink 38.0C
Expansion Slots 35.0C
Power Supply Location 1 46.0C
Power Supply Location 2 40.0C

Mac Pro Dual Quad 2.8 GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Sep 28, 2008 3:21 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Kenelm13 Author

Level 1

8 points

Sep 29, 2008 5:38 AM in response to Kenelm13

After doing some thorough reading, it seems that my video card issue has happened to others after they applied the 2600 XT update from Apple, this put their firmware at version .252. It's this version that is now shipping with new Mac Pros.

What I don't understand is that why for two days the fan never ran at full speed. It just suddenly started happening yesterday afternoon while I was burning some data to a DVD - the fan hasn't slowed down since.

Reply

Answer 2

Kenelm13 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 1, 2008 11:32 AM in response to Kenelm13

Well, the video card fan is still running at full speed...it hasn't waivered a bit. Does Apple include any thermal regulation in their drivers?! In any case, I finally broke down last night and bought a passive cooler for the card. Maybe now the machine won't sound like a hairdryer.

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 29, 2008 3:17 PM in response to Kenelm13

Hello,

I bought a Mac Pro a couple of days ago and I'm having the same problem as you're having. Seemed pretty silent (except for the DVD player... what a noisy unit) but then I started noticing this fan noise. After inquiring, I'm 100% it's the video card.

So how are things for you? Any improvement? What did you end up doing?

I'm considering bringing it back to the Apple Store. I have to bring it back there to install the Airport card anyway (didn't have it when I bought the computer), I'll certainly complain about that but wonder what I can do (besides menacing to ask for refund).

Cheers

Reply

Answer 4

N-B__

Level 1

26 points

Oct 30, 2008 1:01 AM in response to Tower Studio

I've held off updating to 10.5.5 for this very reason.
Had my machine 2 weeks, installed a couple of WD6400AAKSs and it's still absolutely silent (apart from that exceptionally loud SuperDrive!).
You should definitely be putting a call in to AppleCare (you got 90 days gratis with the machine, in case you haven't already bought the Protection Plan).

Reply

Answer 5

Oct 30, 2008 11:08 AM in response to N-B__

Yes that's exactly what I'm willing to do, I hope they won't just tell me: "Yeah, it's noisy but it works so we can't do anything about that" as I've read on other forums. I could just tell them to keep it and give me back my money then.

Reply

Answer 6

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Oct 30, 2008 11:40 AM in response to Tower Studio

I don't know what is happening with ATI, at first I thought it was the consolidation and merger that affects products and Q&A, but the X1900, then the 2600XT, and even the 3870's fans and noise (which after 3 months seems to be better now on the 3870 with the latest models rolling out).

Normally I would expect a new or even ref'd unit would have the latest fixes and if there still are problems... then there aren't any solutions? One person dropped into Vista and reduced fans to 20% setting and it works even under heavy loads w/o getting above 80C.

Seems like the Nvidia 8800GT costs more, doesn't have the drivers optimized for OpenGL just yet, but runs quieter.

One person complained theirs would making an annoying "up-down-up" fan revving constantly.

A copper cooling kit isn't a option user should have to invest in. Not sure it works with 2600 -

"The Accelero S1 Rev. 2 dramatically extends the compatibility to many of the latest graphic cards. It supports high-end to main stream graphic cards including the latest hot selling Radeon HD 3870, 3850 , GeForce 8800GTS (G92) and 8800GT. http://www.arctic-cooling.com/vga2.php?idx=147

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/Graphics/8800GTAcceleroS1/8800GTAcceleroS1R2.html

Reply

Answer 7

martyn58

Level 1

0 points

Oct 30, 2008 12:43 PM in response to The hatter

Hatter

My 2600XT made the up-down-up revving, which was fixed following a call to customer support, some form of power reset...however it was still unacceptably noisy, so I fitted the Accelero S1 Rev 2.

It fits fine on the card, and is listed as compatable on the Arctic Cooling website.

I agree it is not an option that a user should have to carry out, however I have always found the noisiest fans in any of my previous sytems to be those on the graphics card, and the addition of the passive cooler worth the cost to greatly reduce the noise.

Reply

Answer 8

Nov 8, 2008 4:31 AM in response to Kenelm13

I brought the computer back to the shop, they changed the video card, so far so good, no bad noises, let's hope they won't come back...

Reply

Answer 9

Dec 7, 2008 1:02 PM in response to Tower Studio

Hi, Tower Studio,
did you have any noises again with your ati video card 2600 ?

I've the same problem. I bought my Mac Pro at iCLG Nantes… hummm I'm not very happy to go back at store but if it's the solution !!!! I must do it !

Reply

Answer 10

Oki

Level 2

228 points

Dec 14, 2008 1:52 PM in response to Olivieroone

At the beginning my Mac Pro was problem free. Now ( 8 months later) the ATI Radeon 2600 XT fan noise start after a few hours. Heavy tasks or not.

Reply

Answer 11

Oki

Level 2

228 points

Dec 14, 2008 2:54 PM in response to Oki

I found this http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=571951

Reply

Answer 12

Oki

Level 2

228 points

Dec 15, 2008 12:26 PM in response to Oki

They may send me a new one. Where do I find a DIY doc to do that? Thanks!

Reply

Answer 13

Dec 16, 2008 3:48 AM in response to Oki

I have a fresh HD2600 in my macpro.
Exchanged my gf7300.

Only at startup the fan is going fast.
In normal work i don´t here the fan.

Reply

Answer 14

Dec 17, 2008 7:42 AM in response to Kenelm13

Hi

I had the same problem as this with my RadeonX1900. Excessive fan noise all the time revving up to quite a pitch when working harder (e.g. new iTunes visualizer). I read somewhere to reset the p-ram and also to check for a clogged filter on the Radeon unit. Well I did both and the problem is completely fixed. I was ashamed of how filthy the filter was on the front of the Radeon and (carefully) took the vacuum cleaner to it. I think it was completely blocked. At the same time I reset the p-ram. Now no unusual noise at all; and this is true for when the card is working harder too.

Might not work for everyone, I know, but these are the sorts of simple procedures that can be overlooked.

Reply

Answer 15

ElBeardo

Level 1

9 points

Jan 15, 2009 1:27 AM in response to Kenelm13

Try removing the video card and cleaning it out. I had the same problem and it appeared to be the heat sinks in the video card had gotten completely clogged with dust. You cant really see them unless you remove the card.. see this thread: http://macsaregreat.com/?p=63&cpage=1#comment-1305

*BE REALLY CAREFUL TO EITHER DISCONNECT THE FAN OR PREVENT IT SPINNING WITH A THICK SLICE OF CARD BEFORE RUNNING THE VACUUM CLEANER THROUGH IT*. THE FAN WILL SEND POWER BACK INTO THE CARD IF YOU SPIN IT WITH THE SUCTION FROM THE VACUUM!!!! NOT GOOD AT ALL!!!

Good luck!

Reply