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Level 1

5 points

iTunes or Audio increases cpu temperature

Hi,
I have a 3 week old Mac Pro Quad 2.66 2009 that has an idle CPU temperature of about 35-37C with Safari, Quicktime, iTunes, Mail, iCal, Preview all open but not processing anything.

If I start to play anything that includes audio I notice that the CPU temperature (as reported in iStat Pro) will increase to 60C within 1 minute. To clarify, when I say audio this can include playing a song in iTunes, a movie in Quicktime, browsing a website that includes flash or embedded quicktime, or even just having garageband open. All of these actions cause no more than 1% CPU usage, except for maybe the web site's flash content.

I can't explain why such minor actions would cause such a massive spike in the CPU temperature, other things that consume 70-80% I could understand, but just iTunes alone, it doesn't make sense.

I would be less concerned about this if the fan controller decided to do something about it, but it just seems to ignore it, the exhaust and intake fans remain at a constant 599 rpm through out.

Could this be an issue with the onboard sound controller? The new nehalem architecture?

I've noticed that there are a few other threads in Apple's discussion forums and on Macrumors about this topic but they seem to have become inactive of recent. Can anyone else confirm they notice this same issue or simply test it using iTunes?

Thanks in advance for everyones help,
Mike.

Mac Pro 2.66 Quad, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Aug 11, 2009 12:07 PM

63 replies

Mike Hume Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 21, 2009 7:54 AM in response to Samsara

Hi,
Given your results I’m inclined to think that I have a problem with my Mac Pro. I think I will contact Apple and see if they can resolve why my fans go to full speed after only a few seconds load from Geekbench. While I'm talking to them I will make them aware of the iTunes issue and link to this thread as a reference.

Can anyone else run the 32bit Geekbench tests in quick succession to see if I'm the only one suffering the excessive fan speeds.

Thanks,
Mike.

Samsara

Level 4

1,321 points

Oct 21, 2009 6:36 PM in response to Mike Hume

Hi Mike, I ran GB 32 bit 7 times in a row. Really only two values stick out in my mind. Booster Fan CPU A and B.
The RPMs to the right are extreme values and the far right are minimum values.

Before:
http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd325/senecat/beforeGB.png

After:
http://i528.photobucket.com/albums/dd325/senecat/After7timesrunningGB.png

Vidkidd

Level 1

0 points

Oct 28, 2009 12:49 PM in response to Samsara

Sorry for my absence... Have been beyond busy at work the last 2 weeks...

This issue SEEMS to be directly tied to OS X and NOT the Core i7 CPU.

I installed bootcamp and was unable to duplicate the erratic Voltage Consumption behavior and resulting Temperature spikes on Windows XP SP2 - installed via bootcamp.

Also discovered is that the issue is NOT tied specifically to Audio Playback, and can also be triggered with FLASH content, such as 2D artwork based ads or search pages on YouTube....

My guess is that some core service deep in OS X, has not been optimally implemented and needs to be fixed. This problem is also present in 10.5.8 - so the comment about SL being the cause is debunked.

I have a feeling that the erratic fan behaviors, etc are all tied together with this master issue....

Vidkidd

Level 1

0 points

Oct 28, 2009 12:54 PM in response to Vidkidd

Here are a couple videos I posted on YouTube of this issue in action:

2009 MacPro CPU Cooked by MP3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3GFk8FO3rc
2009 MacPro CPU Cooked by Flash Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUvkbm7Vvlo
Solid temps in XP while playing same MP3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH63jiMVs5E
Solid temps in XP while playing Flash Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s8qf1Rh9Qw

*COUGH* *COUGH* Somethings broke under the hood!

Samsara

Level 4

1,321 points

Oct 28, 2009 1:30 PM in response to Vidkidd

No offense, but I tend to trust the viewpoint of someone who has a Doctorate in Computer Science and has been working with Macs for years and years.
And 58 is the highest temp you've reached? Mine have spiked into the 80's. The point at which our Macs shut down is 95C, your Mac is in no way burning up.
Is there some optimization of apps that could be done? I'm sure there is. But if your temps are typical of most then really it's a non issue.

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Oct 28, 2009 1:32 PM in response to Vidkidd

I know I saw multiple reports about problems with Flash on multiple systems, not just Mac Pro. In fact the early reports about YouTube were the first thing I read about problems (along with Guest Account issue, USB vs Firewire problems).

Doesn't happen that I see in Windows 7 as I said above (and has better threading, memory handling, support for 256 cores after all! rules in favor of Apple OS being at fault, AND plug-ins using Rosetta PPC code still.

Makes the whole idea of having one OS that is 32-bit, and another that requires and is fully 64-bit make sense to me.

The Mac Pro is the first Mac with hyper-threading and native 4-cores (Penryn was just two dual-cores in one package, not a true quad technically, and no HT).

10.6 is a 6-month premie, and failed to identify and get all the kinks identified first, and resolved.

65watts

I think you mean maybe 65C as any quad-core 35xx/55xx uses more than 65W unless low power and idle situations. It will quickly (momentarily) jump to 135W per cpu at various times in response to launching, booting, or other activity, then drop down. *50W idle* and 150W max is what I show for Bloomfield 920 @ stock setting.

80*C is not uncommon temp. High but nothing an Xeon can't handle with proper cooling. And they are a workstation.

contradict sales and marketing for the MacPro.

And when did marketing ever really reflect the real world? or believable? Businesses have more protected speech afterall.

Vidkidd

Level 1

0 points

Oct 28, 2009 2:58 PM in response to The hatter

Doctorates are paid for. Is it in Hardware engineering? 😉

Ive been working on Macs since the Lisa/Mac XL. Have designed countless video game hardware platforms. Brought countless award wining products to market.. etc... To each his own...

IMO - this behavior on this CPU is wrong and it's probably due to poorly written/tested code that no one noticed was screwing up...

Samsara

Level 4

1,321 points

Oct 28, 2009 3:14 PM in response to Vidkidd

it's probably due to poorly written/tested code

Which only affects 09' Macs...

You could try contacting him yourself. And if you want a superior system monitor from a company that also doesn't make Lava Lamps, http://www.islayer.com/apps/ilovelamp/, Hardware Monitor is unbeatable.

You can find out about Marcel Bresink and contact him here: http://www.bresink.com/info.html

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Oct 30, 2009 12:06 PM in response to Samsara

Now the 2009 iMac is experiencing problems with Flash, have to see if it includes same issues noted in this thread.

Apple's New 27-Inch iMacs Experiencing Performance Issues?
AppleInsider echoes same: Flash Playback spikes cpu usage
And from MacFixit: Reports of Flash playback issues in new 27-inch iMacs surface

Samsara

Level 4

1,321 points

Oct 30, 2009 12:16 PM in response to The hatter

My old Dual 2.7 G5 used to go crazy with flash sites. I'll try to find some intensive flash sites and see what HM reports my Mac is doing.
So again, a Nehalem and Mac OS problem combo? Since it doesn't happen using Windows on a Mac?

Samsara

Level 4

1,321 points

Oct 30, 2009 12:59 PM in response to The hatter

And lo and behold, I stumble across this...
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9140163/NewiMac_owners_complain_about_performanceproblems

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Oct 30, 2009 1:20 PM in response to Samsara

Kindof scary when you read "no known issues" and "ceased providing a list of bug fixes" from that CW linked article. Hum.

My new Nvidia GTX 260 arrived, installed the latest Nvidia beta 195.x drivers that itself had "200 bug fixes" and prelim support now for OpenCL and some other CUDA related featurs. And, of course, troublefree sailing.

+(Oh, and moved my PC to larger case and an extra 910W PSU, fixed the 18 hr day issues I'd created Tuesday.)+

Samsara

Level 4

1,321 points

Oct 30, 2009 2:40 PM in response to The hatter

My new Nvidia GTX 260 arrived... And, of course, troublefree sailing.
fixed the 18 hr day issues

Lol, well someones's having a good day. 🙂

Me? I've been bugged all day by the Intel thing and now Flash. Youtube doesn't seem too much of a problem, about a 15 degree heat rise overall. No choppiness or anything. Activity Monitor shows 90% idle.
This page though, http://www.sheridanandco.com/ , causes a hit, and then settles down in Activity Monitor, with temps that rise about 15 degrees. The link in the upper left hand corner "View Showreel" however leads to a Flash video that causes about a 20 to 25+ degree hike? I hit 90C! And it stays around that temp even when the video stops playing.

Vidkidd,... I owe you an apology. Something is rotten in Denmark, rather Cupertino. No more resorting to experts for awhile, I'm going to sit on the sidelines and watch this pan out like everyone else.

Message was edited by: Samsara

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Oct 30, 2009 2:57 PM in response to Samsara

That page is active, but only adds 2*. CPU fan is 1300 rpm though, but 36*C.

I would have to say I'd be plenty annoyed at the SSD market in general right now. You realize we are their R&D Dept? seems like it.

90* may be in the safe thermal range, but that doesn't mean that I'd be comfortable, far from it.

If I was running 2009 Pro, I'd have a Flash setting for SMCFanControl to boost them to 1500 rpm, then pull off 200 rpm steps to see what is optimum.

Samsara

Level 4

1,321 points

Oct 30, 2009 3:36 PM in response to The hatter

And that's in your earlier MP, right? Well, that seems consistent to this story. Really Hatter, you must get an 09 to experience this for yourself, lol. Oh, and a few SSDs too.

No, I'm not happy with these temps at all. And mine seem much higher than most peoples for some reason. It's G5-vu all over again... lol. 🙂 I have it perfectly set up too, with plenty, and I mean, plenty of room around it with cool air all around. I've been bundling up already to keep my work area nice and cool.

Eh, I'm not that concerned, it just bothers me when I can't figure things out. So essentially I've been bothered ever day of my life so I'm used to it. At least the fans aren't blaring at me like my 2.7, that would be the final straw. And really, for everything I do or can think of doing this machine and my set up is just perfect for me. Plus I've been given personal assurances that this Mac will outlast me. 😉 Lol.
Yes, I'm going insane...

You know, I knee jerk to blame Apple but really what company is the common link of the top stories at least in my day so far? Let's see, SSDs and Nehalems... who makes both? Hmm...

Well, even my updated 1st gen Intels have diminished somewhat but really not too bad. However I'm really pleased with my OCZ SSDs. Not a bad word about those yet in the press that I've seen. Now if only they'd start making computers with their own cool graphical OS, that would be something...

iTunes or Audio increases cpu temperature