Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

11 points

Small buzzing sound coming from back of Mac Pro - Is this normal?

Hi there,

I've noticed there's a buzzing sound coming from my brand new 2010 Mac Pro if I listen closely from the back. It sounds like an electrical buzz and even though it's only audible from the back of the machine, I'm a little concerned this might get worse and worse over time. I don't remember hearing the same buzzing on my 2005 Power Mac G5. I'm not 100%, but it might be coming from the power supply. Has anyone else experienced this? It's only audible when you listen closely from the back.

If someone could go behind their Mac Pro and listen for a buzzing sound that would be great so I will know whether it's normal or not. Don't get me wrong. The buzzing sound is not annoying in any way as I cannot hear it from where I sit. I'm just concerned that it might lead to something worse or even damage my Mac Pro over time.

Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from somebody soon.

Regards,

Daniel

Mac Pro 3.2GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon "Nehalem" (Mid 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.4), 12GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM

Posted on Sep 27, 2010 10:11 PM

61 replies

Oct 8, 2010 3:59 AM in response to chrisuk123

Unfortunately no, not yet. They didn't even call me to say how the new parts are working. They got the new parts 2days ago and I'm sure they've fitted them in, but no news yet =\

Will keep u all informed no worries.

Oct 11, 2010 5:31 PM in response to progressia

I suppose you still haven't got it back? 😟
My appointment at the Apple Store is on Wednesday. I'm sure they won't mind replacing my PSU, but there is also a lot of vibration/noise going on in my Mac Pro (a non constant noise).. not sure how to address that issue.. some of the vibration is definitely coming from the intake fan.. not sure about the rest.. the door seems to make the vibration worse, as the Mac Pro is okay with the door taken off. Has anyone tried using noise reduction mats in Mac Pros?

Oct 12, 2010 2:22 AM in response to chrisuk123

Ok the wait is over. I got my MacPro back. They've changed my PSU to a new one, and I asked them to change my Airport Extreme card because that was faulty too.

I STILL hear the buzzing sound at the back, maybe this time it's less audible than last time. I don't know what else to say. Maybe it's normal, I don't know. I have class now, but I'm going to give Amsys a call later on and then Apple telling them that i still hear it. Will get back to u on that

Oct 12, 2010 9:32 AM in response to chrisuk123

the door seems to make the vibration worse, as the Mac Pro is okay with the door taken off. Has anyone tried using noise reduction mats in Mac Pros?

One user nearby reported good results by inserting a small wad of soft material between the processor shelf and the side door.

He used a small piece of paper towel folded over several times, but you may want to use something with a higher ignition temperature -- paper is only about 451 Fahrenheit (thank you Ray Bradbury).

Oct 12, 2010 5:30 PM in response to progressia

What was wrong with the Airport card?
Sad to hear your buzzing is still there.. the thing is that some kind of buzzing seems to be normal (all Mac Pros I 'listened to' in store and all 2006 Mac Pros at my uni have a buzzing sound). The difference is that this buzzing is constant, does not change, and does not get worse. My buzzing goes from low buzzing to high buzzing to high pitch noise to whatever it wants.. it's definitely faulty.. maybe your new PSU isn't faulty and is just making the "normal" buzz sound? Can you hear it in normal use?

Message was edited by: chrisuk123

Oct 12, 2010 5:30 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks, I'll give that a try 🙂

Oct 13, 2010 1:52 AM in response to chrisuk123

My airport card was losing signals a lot, but i think that this is related to my building's WiFi access points. SO i spoke to the manager and he's going to have an extra access point outside my door because of the poor signal.

Yes the electrical buzz is still present, only i think it's less audible than before. and when turned off, i can barely hear it anymore. So....I'm beginning to THINK that it's normal...i HOPE.

As for your high-pitched sounds, u might want to get that looked-at, doesnt sound normal to me, better to get it replaced. AND REMEMBER, when the engineer comes to collect your machine, ask him to step in to your house for 2mins to just see if the sounds are normal in his views, he will still take in your machine for repairs nonetheless, but it's better to get a pro's opinion am i right?

all the best.

Oct 13, 2010 6:51 AM in response to progressia

So does the buzzing EVER get any louder than it "normally" does now?

Oct 13, 2010 6:51 AM in response to progressia

Started to notice today. Seems to be related to the load on the machine - heavy render brings it on.
Annoying and a little worrying.

And now its stopped - nope changed to lower level and not affected by heavy rendering!

Most odd

Oct 14, 2010 3:31 AM in response to deepshade

Just some more feedback.

Tried opening panel and resetting all drive bays. Definitely not that. Wrong area - but gave it a go.

Resetting the PRAM (advice from Apple?) - no change

It is related to how hard the machine works - experimented a little more - could definitely get it to start by stressing the machine - seems to be power related.

Its not high pitched 'processor' type clicks, squeeks or squeals

Definitely located very near the power lead in (as some have said - almost like its not properly plugged in the back and arcing) possibly above socket and to the far back left (from front

Took the powerlead off the mains supply powerbar (which has two monitors and a desk lamp (low watt flourescent) and plugged directly into wall - silent!?

Stress tested - still silent!

Haven't got time to reverse the process to check - but will certainly post here if it returns.

Oct 14, 2010 3:26 PM in response to chrisuk123

No not for me. It's always the same, but like i said, it's less audible than before. I have to close my bedroom windows and have dead silence to hear the slight electric buzzing sound of the PSU. I'm beginning to think that it's normal. Considering many others reported that 2006-2007 MacPros also buzz on the back. And I mean, i just had my PSU changed from Apple. My thoughts only.

IlMolto Author

Level 1

11 points

Oct 15, 2010 2:28 AM in response to progressia

Well at least there's been some improvement with the buzzing. I would also say that it's probably normal, especially because so many other people have the same thing happening. As long as your Mac is working without problems then I wouldn't worry about it.

Thanks for posting and keeping us up to date. You've given me some peace of mind that the buzzing isn't such a bad thing.

Regards,

Daniel

Oct 15, 2010 2:47 AM in response to progressia

Keep us informed pls

The Crackle is definitely wrong

The power supply buzz - I'm leaning towards it being the nature of the beast - if the supply is not clean

thanks for update

Oct 20, 2010 2:33 AM in response to deepshade

It's back!

Oct 23, 2010 5:02 PM in response to deepshade

Hi,

so I went to the Apple Store this week to pick up my Mac Pro only to find out that they had done NO REPAIRS or replacements at all and they told me nothing was wrong with it. I then got a repair guy to come out and talk to me and he listened to the PSU with me and then we compared it to the other Mac Pros they had in store. Given that they all had a buzzing PSU he said it's probably normal, but because it seems like a strange issue and because I have the audio crackles/popping issue as well, he told me he would do an "exclamation" (I think that's what he called it). Basically he told me he would contact the engineering team in california about it and then would get back to me. For some reason I have a feeling that won't happen, but I hope he wasn't just lying.

Small buzzing sound coming from back of Mac Pro - Is this normal?