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Mileham

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2017
45
4
Cascadia
Hello, first post here. I searched through the FAQ but this link regarding fans is dead (and was for G4 only, it seems). However if I have missed a relevant thread please let me know!

I have a G5 Quad that I purchased from a graphics company selling their old Macs. Under CPU-intensive load, the dull repetitive 'clicking' noise that is audible as it idles, gets louder and louder. I can't quite tell what is generating this noise -- CPU fans? LCS pump? But I am not familiar enough with the internals of this machine to pinpoint it. I have not attempted a 'teardown'.

Overall I would like to make this Quad as quiet as possible.

Thanks.
 

XaPHER

macrumors 6502
Oct 13, 2010
280
180
I only own the dual core 2ghz G5 from this generation but, as far as I know, the clicking noise I hear from it comes from the machine's fans which spin really slowly.

It doesn't get louder in my case (unless I get a kernel panic and the fans go full blast), but the goal of the PMG5's cooling system was to be as quiet as possible.

What temperature do your machine's sensors return ? Depending on it, there may not be a reason to worry, because the fans speed of course may rise if it gets hotter.
 

Mileham

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2017
45
4
Cascadia
Thanks, XaPHER. I will have to check tonight when I'm home. I wonder if I will need to replace any fans. If so, I have no idea what size they are, and where to get replacements that meet or exceed original fans. Ideally, they would be quieter. :)
 

XaPHER

macrumors 6502
Oct 13, 2010
280
180
Ideally, you shouldn't be replacing them. They're pulse width modulation (PWM) 4-wires fans. There isn't much matter of efficiency because they're software-controlled. Also, they normally aren't getting more noisy because of wear; They're not spinning fast enough.

Although I may be wrong about the noise because I haven't seen a LCS model yet.

Is the Quad that noisy?
 

Mileham

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2017
45
4
Cascadia
OK thanks. It's not that noisy, just that it clicks repeatedly, kind of like a metronome. I wonder if the air-cooled G5s are quieter, when not under load, or more like the 'wind tunnel' G4s I have heard about.
 

XaPHER

macrumors 6502
Oct 13, 2010
280
180
Windtunnel's are noisy as hell. Aircooled G5 are quieter, but does clicking sounds.
 

jbarley

macrumors 601
Jul 1, 2006
4,023
1,895
Vancouver Island
I mention this only because no one else has so far, a very common cause of clicking noises can be an early indication of a failing HDD.

or not...:oops:
 
Last edited:

Mileham

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2017
45
4
Cascadia
I mention this only because no one else has so far, a very common cause of clicking noises can be a sign of a failing HDD.

Thanks -- there is only a new SSD in it but that certainly would be something to watch out for when I add one
 

Mileham

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2017
45
4
Cascadia
I only own the dual core 2ghz G5 from this generation but, as far as I know, the clicking noise I hear from it comes from the machine's fans which spin really slowly.

It doesn't get louder in my case (unless I get a kernel panic and the fans go full blast), but the goal of the PMG5's cooling system was to be as quiet as possible.

What temperature do your machine's sensors return ? Depending on it, there may not be a reason to worry, because the fans speed of course may rise if it gets hotter.

CPU B is running at 50 degrees Celsius (core 2 diode)
 

Cox Orange

macrumors 68000
Jan 1, 2010
1,814
241
Also, when it is filled up with dust, can make it louder fans.
Some have had dried out thermal paste under the CPU, but don't replace that before intensive research, because you would need an Apple Service Diagnostics CD to recalibrate the fans afterwards, when you did something to the CPU.

Someone already mentioned the clicking could be a worn out bearing of a fan.
 

Mileham

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2017
45
4
Cascadia
Also, when it is filled up with dust, can make it louder fans.
Some have had dried out thermal paste under the CPU, but don't replace that before intensive research, because you would need an Apple Service Diagnostics CD to recalibrate the fans afterwards, when you did something to the CPU.

Someone already mentioned the clicking could be a worn out bearing of a fan.

Thanks, yeah I don't have the ASD disc. Is it possible to oil the fan bearing?
 

Cox Orange

macrumors 68000
Jan 1, 2010
1,814
241
Thanks, yeah I don't have the ASD disc. Is it possible to oil the fan bearing?
Oh, I assume not, but I don't know. But others may tell you. In the meantime you could search the PowerPC Subforum, there is a thread dedicated to overhauling a G5.
 

Mileham

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2017
45
4
Cascadia
Ran a stress test (using Power Fractal) and the temp never exceeded 70 Celsius. Hopefully that is normal. The fans of course ramped up, but the clicking sound never got worse. I can live with it. By the way, I'm using Bresink's Hardware Monitor.
 

XaPHER

macrumors 6502
Oct 13, 2010
280
180
70 Celsius is reasonable for a stress test. Is the inside of the machine clean? When I acquire a new machine I always blow the dust out. It once helped reduce noise from fans on a laptop.
 

Mileham

macrumors member
Original poster
Jan 11, 2017
45
4
Cascadia
70 Celsius is reasonable for a stress test. Is the inside of the machine clean? When I acquire a new machine I always blow the dust out. It once helped reduce noise from fans on a laptop.

OK good. Yes I cleaned it with compressed air after buying it. Perhaps will do a second dust check, thanks.
 
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