Loud!! 7800GT

[Little Endian]

I've got a 7800GT in my PowerMac and if it were not for this card my machine would be almost whisper quiet. My Computer was not this noisy when I first got it with the 7800GT included.

I am certain it is the GPU fan because if I stop the fan with my finger the Computer becomes whisper quiet. The card never made this much noise before and it seems that the Fan on it is always running at Full speed regardless of what I'm doing.

Okay so what I'm wondering is if there is a way to quiet the GPU fan down a bit? I know that the other Fans are controlled by software but is this true for the GPU fan as well? or does it have a mind of it's own. I have been monitoring the temperature of the GPU and it seems fine running at 125-150 degrees fahrenheit which is what it ran at before getting so noisy. The fan just seems to want to run at full throttle.

So far I have tried cleaning the card of Dust. Resetting the PMU. Booted from a Second HD with clean OSX install and still the same the Fan still runs at a monotonous full throttle never wavering. I have read elsewhere that the Fan has two speeds but mine seems to only want to run at High speed. Is there anything that I can do besides ripping off the stock heatsink/fan and replacing it with an after market solution?

 

[Temujin]

I've got a 7800GT in my PowerMac and if it were not for this card my machine would be almost whisper quiet. My Computer was not this noisy when I first got it with the 7800GT included.

I am certain it is the GPU fan because if I stop the fan with my finger the Computer becomes whisper quiet. The card never made this much noise before and it seems that the Fan on it is always running at Full speed regardless of what I'm doing.

Okay so what I'm wondering is if there is a way to quiet the GPU fan down a bit? I know that the other Fans are controlled by software but is this true for the GPU fan as well? or does it have a mind of it's own. I have been monitoring the temperature of the GPU and it seems fine running at 125-150 degrees fahrenheit which is what it ran at before getting so noisy. The fan just seems to want to run at full throttle.

So far I have tried cleaning the card of Dust. Resetting the PMU. Booted from a Second HD with clean OSX install and still the same the Fan still runs at a monotonous full throttle never wavering. I have read elsewhere that the Fan has two speeds but mine seems to only want to run at High speed. Is there anything that I can do besides ripping off the stock heatsink/fan and replacing it with an after market solution?

Try checking the manufacturer's support page. Perhaps a driver upgrade will help, if the fan is controlled by software that is.

I'd recommend getting http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=192&code=013 I find the stock fans inadequate and noisy. This one will do the trick

Or try a http://www.zalman.co.kr/eng/product/view.asp?idx=14&code=017 if your card permits it that is.

 

[Little Endian]

Try checking the manufacturer's support page. Perhaps a driver upgrade will help.

Wish I could. Nvidia does not provide drivers for Mac cards they leave that to Apple and unfortunately Apple has nothing on this.

 

[RGunner]

Not a lot of options...

If you are daring and careful you can easily replace the stock fan.

Check with http://www.hardmac.com I think they did a review of 'silent' fan upgrade on the 7800 series. IT will void your warranty, unless you are careful and can put everything back as purchased (if ever a problem).

Great card tho! <jealous>!

http://www.hardmac.com/news/2005-12-08/#4842

 

[Temujin]

Wish I could. Nvidia does not provide drivers for Mac cards they leave that to Apple and unfortunately Apple has nothing on this.

Well Nvidia provides the chip, not the card. Is it an ASUS, MSI card or other?
One of those manufacturers might have Mac drivers.

 

[Little Endian]

Hmm...... Looks like my only option is to replace the stock fan and heatsink. New Drivers will only be available if and when Apple decides to introduce them. Unfortunately for Nvidia Cards Apple is the only source to update from. I don't think I quite want to void my warranty yet on the 7800 but it's getting to the point where I wouldn't mind if it broke so Apple could send me a new one in hopes that it runs quieter. Thanks for all the responses.