Mac Pro noise level?

Brian Middleton · Post by **Brian Middleton** » Fri Sep 29, 2006 12:29 pm

Sorry if this has been addressed--I haven't turned it up on a quick search.

Those who are already working with a Mac Pro (the few, the proud....), how does the noise level compare with earlier models? I'm working with an MDD dual 1.25 G4 and just about ready to contemplate replacing it. The noise level is not too bad, but enough that I have to keep it in a makeshift box (open in the back, so it's not really sound-tight, but it reduces the noise enough to be useful). It would be great to be able to get "out of the box" so to speak.

Frostworkstudio · Post by **Frostworkstudio** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:01 am

Brian:
I am not sure other than what I have heard regarding the noise levels eminating from mac cpu towers, but we run the Mac Pro, and I am VERY happy how quiet it is. However, the location of our machine happens to be in a separate room than where our tracking happens.
Other than hearing the hard drive click occasionally, and seeing the "on" light on the Mac Pros' fascia, you wouldnt know it was operating at all. There is SOME noise in our mixing room due to the street outside, and what-not, but I think that even the hiss from our near fields is louder than the Mac Pro.
Hope this helps...

WSVP · Post by **WSVP** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 1:13 pm

Brian

I was using a MDD dual 867 (windtunnel) and I believe it was probably the loudest computer ever made. I am now using a G5 dual quad, which is extremely quiet. I would think that the Mac Pro noise level would be pretty low. Hopefully Apple learned a lesson on the MDD series computers.

Outside of the noise issues, the MDD series were great machines in their time. Better expandability than the G5 series.

I have to keep it in a makeshift box (open in the back, so it's not really sound-tight, but it reduces the noise enough to be useful).

Make sure so be careful about airflow when putting any computer in a box (even one with openings). Check the case of the computer after running for a while, if gets hot then the airflow is not sufficient. Running it hot will cause early failure of the hard drives, power supply and the CPU.

Brian Middleton · Post by **Brian Middleton** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 2:17 pm

No worries on the box, I've been using it without incident for several years. I built it very deep (front to back) on purpose, with plenty of space behind the machine, so that there would be enough volume of "ambient" air to keep things from getting out of hand as long as it wasn't sealed airtight. It seems to work--it never gets terribly hot.

Anyway, from all you're saying it sounds like I'm going to be a happy camper with the Mac Pro.

And yes, my MDD is a truly excellent computer. I don't think I've ever had a more trouble-free machine in my computing life. It makes me hesitate to upgrade, but it is becoming obsolete in terms of processing power....I find myself maxing out the processor on dense mixes and my mind drifts longingly to the Apple store...

giles117 · Post by **giles117** » Tue Oct 03, 2006 7:38 pm

How about it's quieter than My Old G5..... Which was 100x quieter than my old MDD G4

Tomas E · Post by **Tomas E** » Fri Oct 06, 2006 6:02 am

I've just got my Mac Pro. At first I could'nt hear it at all. Now I'm beginning to regognise the sound, so if I listen carefully I can hear it. But compared to my 8600...well, the difference is huge!

SmilesLots · Post by **SmilesLots** » Wed Oct 11, 2006 4:05 am

Log me in as another MacPro advocate. It is quiet, cool, fast and very expandable. I think the best tower Apple has produced so far. I too have come from the MDD wind tunnel Macs, so there is night-and-day difference between the noise levels. I record live audio and could not use the dual G4 at all. Had to get a G5 iMac to do the recording and then transfer the file to the Dual G4 for editing. So from me there is a "thank you Apple" for finally getting something at least half-way right.