Mac Pro power consumption?

The big power draw is when you turn on or wake from sleep and it makes a large draw actually.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inrush_current

Don't know about solar and DC, but normally a 1000VA UPS like APC SMART or 1300VA RS is needed and recommended. Any 1500VA of reputable brand.

The max W is probably less than 500W and the PSU is 865W range, but that doesn't tell the whole story. And in regular use, 250W for Mac Pro is fine (monitor etc extra).

People do use Kill-A-Watt measure but that won't show some values, you would need something that records highest value read. Also, accurate readings from 2009 with its design.

I would look for $2100 low end from last year.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_pro

It isn't idle that is a big factor in sizing UPS. Just electric bill. It is inrush current that causes trouble booting cold and wake from sleep.

As for UK wiring, that has been an issue with some of the breaker used.

I think you would be too close to the edge. Here are real wattages from my MacPro1,1.

Off 8
Sleep 12
Normal work 240
Boinc, 90% cpu 330

I've done some power measurements for a 2010 Mac Pro single processor, 6 core. You can find them on page 3 of this review:
http://macs.about.com/od/currentapplehardware/fr/Mac-Pro-Review-Summer-2010.htm

Please note, these power measurements were done without regard for creating a maximum electrical usage situation. The peak measurements were performed with various benchmark applications, and the loads you actually see will be different. Never the less this will give you some ideas.

Tom

The measurements I provided are for a 120VAC system. Note, however, they are for just the tower, no peripherals were measured. 'Idling' is too vague, if you're not actively using it have the Energy Settings put it to sleep. Consider getting an UPS to buffer the input power. Be aware that a lot of inverters don't put out a 'clean' 60HZ sine wave and they will cause the UPS to trip in. All considered, I don't think the Mac Pro is for you.

Hi Martin,

Watts is watts, it's a measurement of power, in this case power consumed. However, in this case this input voltage was indeed 120 VAC.

As for your inverter, looks like a pretty good choice. It appears to produce a reasonably good sine wave output, which your Mac Pro will like. It also appears to be able to deliver up to 500 watts instantaneous, which should be ok for the surge current at power on.

You mention you will be buying used. I would like to suggest you stay away from 2006 or 2007 models of the Mac Pro. They had some problems with demanding a very high amount of power at turn-on. This was the in-rush current and for some reason Apple did a poor job of managing the turn-on current in these early models. All of the Mac Pro's have reasonable idle state power consumption.

Here is Apples power figures for the 2008 and 2009 models:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2836

Apple has not posted any figures for the 2010 models yet.

By the way, just for us curious folks, can you describe your solar setup? Would be interesting to hear about it.

Tom

The 2008s as shipped had the most 'notable' inrush issue plus freezes on wake from sleep (how did they ever ship a system doing that, sounds like a lack of any real testing, which was corrected in later models and with SMC update).

Never had a problem for those first 18 months like that.

Leopard and Early 2009 have their own high temps using audio/itunes that wasn't fixed until end of 2009, and then for 10.6 only.

Why not just a good 2.4GHz 4-8GB MacMini?

Apologies for the tardy reply. I'm not receiving notifications and I had to create a new account as I'm currently in the UK with a different computer!

I'm leaning towards using two Mac Minis - a 2.0GHz Intel model and a G4 1.5GHz, using "Teleport" to link them. The consumption will be well within reasonable limits and I'll be able to use the relatively fast Intel model most of the time, crossing over to "Classic" when needed.

As for the solar energy, here's the story:-

Last year we had a nearby lightning strike, which damaged a transformer. For three days the supply hovered around 100 volts, which was too low to power my UPS but I discovered that all my computer equipment worked fine running directly off 100 volts.

That prompted me to consider that it might use slightly less current when running off the lower voltage. As one needs maximum efficiency when running off batteries, I ordered a 12vDC - 115vAC 300 Watt inverter via Amazon in America. It had to go via England because the company refused to ship direct.

I tested the inverter with an 85AH 12 volt "leisure battery" and it worked fine, running the computers, monitors and Hard drives for about 2.5 hours.

So I ordered two 6 volt 200AH deep cycle "Hoppecke" batteries from a company in Iraklion and collected them from a factory near Rethymnon, where they happened to be working that week; thus saving the cost of carriage.

When fully charged, these run my office for typically 11 hours, dropping to voltage to 11 volts. The inverter is good down to 10.5 volts so I could probably get 12 hours, but I didn't want the system to shut down so I haven't tested it that far.

I ordered an "intelligent battery charger" from Amazon, rated at 15 Amps. This takes all day to recharge the batteries and is a temporary solution until I can afford 1500 Euros for two 175 Watt photovoltaic panels from Irakion.

I suspect that I'll still have to switch over to mains power for part of the time, since my computer is on 24/7 (I transfer TV programmes from the UK most nights). However, this system will at least give me a day's running during power cuts. Later on, if/when I can afford to, I'll add more batteries and panels.

Shopping list and prices, below.

Best Wishes,

Martin


2 x Hoppecke SolarBlox 6V 200Ah @ €179 = €358 (Euros).
Battery dimensions:
240mm wide x 168mm deep by 274mm high including connections.
Weight - blooming heavy!
http://www.pv-kritis.gr/

PowerBright 12Vdc - 115Vac 300W inverter which draws up to 10 Amps.
Cost approx 190 Euros including shipping to UK via amazon.com.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002RWKIJM/

Silverline Smart Charger 15 Amp @ approx 60 Euros from Amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002QRWGWA/

So far I've spent 358 + 190 + 60 = 608 Euros plus sundries.

Next on the agenda:-

Photovoltaic panels
2x aleo S_14-175 modules (550 Euros each)
1x IVT Charge controller 30A (195 Euros)
1x Display for IVT (60 Euros)
1x Base (Schletter Compact direct) (150 Euros)
Total: 1505 Euros
http://www.pv-kritis.gr/