Cooling Systems for the Mac Pro??

Question

Level 1

8 points

Cooling Systems for the Mac Pro??

hey folks-

So I'm wanting to cool my entire system (early 2008 Mac Pro Quad-Core 2.66). My apartment can get really warm where I live (southern cal) and I'm searching for cooling systems to purchase for my mac.. I do a lot of converting/compression for hours upon hours.

I did find this product for the RAM:

http://www.maxupgrades.com/istore/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_i d=160&CFID=5247667&CFTOKEN=67168860

Any other products (w/ links) you guys can think of? Water cooling/extra fans/etc..

Also-- If I install SMC Fan Control what would be the ideal fan speeds for my system. I want to keep it cool, but I don't want to overwork my fans. PLEASE ADVISE!!

Thank you!

-Ash

Mac Pro (Early 2008), Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Apr 29, 2009 5:38 PM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

May 2, 2009 8:15 AM in response to vlo824

Dust, airflow, common sense (don't put it in the corner up against a wall for instance), add a VGA fan cooler or copper cooling.... but tells us what card and system you have.

Probably best to start your own thread, can't hurt and better really.

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Answer 2

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Apr 29, 2009 5:54 PM in response to awsteele

Do you not have air conditioning? If you do consider lowering the ambient temperature of the room. You won't need fan control software because if the computer gets hotter then the fans speed up on their own. All that fan control software does is increase the idle speeds of the fans.

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Answer 3

awsteele Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 29, 2009 6:24 PM in response to Kappy

I do have air conditioning, but it costs at ton out here and uses a lot of electricity. Any recommendations just for the system. It does not seem like there is a whole lot out there..

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Answer 4

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Apr 30, 2009 4:45 AM in response to awsteele

2.66 would be 1st generation Mac Pro with 1333MHz bus.
Do you have 800MHz FBDIMMs?

If you have the Radeon X1900, that is a heat producer, gets dirty, and found in 1st gen.

Copper vga coolers is one step.

Basement or other such below ground - otherwise...

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Answer 5

Apr 30, 2009 5:12 AM in response to awsteele

I normally keep my apartment around 75 degrees day and night, so my Mac Pro would get to around 44 C. I installed SMC and set the fans to a minium of 1,000rpm and my system hovers around 30 C. I think the stock cooling setup for the Mac Pro is extremely efficient with adequate space around the system to let it breathe - mine is sitting on top of my desk.

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Answer 6

awsteele Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 30, 2009 10:45 AM in response to The hatter

no, I have 667 MHz FBDIMMs. Yes, I am using the Radeon X1900. I'm not all that hardware saavy, so I'd really like to find some easy to install hardware that will keep the insides nice and chilly. does ANYONE have a link to some equipment that works well w/ my 1st gen Mac Pro??

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Answer 7

Apr 30, 2009 1:34 PM in response to awsteele

Like I pointed out several hours before your first post, SMC fan control does an excellent job. Give it a try and see if it works for you - it's free and you don't have to install a cooling system. If you're determined on liquid cooling then so be it, you won't be happy with any software fan control solution.

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Answer 8

marokero

Level 1

135 points

Apr 30, 2009 2:53 PM in response to awsteele

Here's an idea: how about using SMC Fan Control AND placing insulation tubing to direct hot exhaust from your Mac Pro to the outside? That shouldn't cost much at a hardware store.

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Answer 9

vlo824

Level 1

0 points

May 2, 2009 12:39 AM in response to awsteele

I've actually had the same problem.

My graphics card shut down quite a few times because of overheating.

Just two days ago, my entire computer shut down and would not reboot. Took it to the store after trying almost everything that would solve a software problem. They told me I probably burnt out my GPU or my motherboard.

So, I started searching for ways to upgrade or improve the cooling and thats how I ended up here.

I suspect that the placement of the computer influences the temperature quite a bit. Any suggestions on where to put my mac?

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Answer 10

parajo

Level 1

13 points

May 2, 2009 11:53 AM in response to The hatter

Hi The hatter,
I wonder if someone, ever replaced fans on a Mac Pro ?
With 3.2GHz processors, using 4 SAS drives (running over 15K rpm), 16GB of RAM...
The cooling configuration is not appropiated !

The two fans on the back side are running out of there normes, and are responsable of high frequency noise.

I use the same Mac Pro configuration, except for the drives, which are 4 velociRaptors, NO noise !

We usely install "NOCTUA" fans on our specific home made computers, Fantastic !
Designed in Austria (Europe)

Nine (9) blade design with 3 adjustable speeds depending on the type of fan.

The NF-P12 (12cm) is surprisingly quiet and is adjustable at 900 rpm : 1100 rpm : 1300 rpm.

I think i will try it to replace all fans !

Any comment will be appreciated.
Regards,
Jean

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