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Mac Pro 1.1 overheating, loud noise & burn smell

There should be a few inches in all directions between the MP and other surfaces. There should be no obstructions preventing intake at the front and exhaust at the back.

You don't have it in an enclosure, do you? I see MANY computer desks that enclose the desktop tower on all sides except the front. This is no good because the hot exhaust has nowhere to go except along side the computer toward the front, where it gets sucked right back into the computer again. Even if you have an open back, I suspect many just shove the desk all the way against the wall, causing the same problem.
 
spidey3 said:
I stand corrected on the temps - I must have misread them.
Yes, ~40 C is about 10 degrees higher than expected at idle -- even with the fans at base speeds. Despite my error, I still feel that there is no problem with the heatsink mounting, as the heatsink temps are very close to the core temps.

Recommendation stands:
1) Thorough clean-out
2) Check for fans not reaching target speed
3) Don't mess with the heatsink mounting yet

Spidey!!!
Click to expand...

I am not touching the heatsink just yet. But I have to find a damn solution :)

----------
ActionableMango said:
There should be a few inches in all directions between the MP and other surfaces. There should be no obstructions preventing intake at the front and exhaust at the back.

You don't have it in an enclosure, do you? I see MANY computer desks that enclose the desktop tower on all sides except the front. This is no good because the hot exhaust has nowhere to go except along side the computer toward the front, where it gets sucked right back into the computer again. Even if you have an open back, I suspect many just shove the desk all the way against the wall, causing the same problem.
Click to expand...

At the back there is 1.5m of open space, the same at the front. The wall is on the side of the Mac Pro and behind the display.
 
Frodoo said:
I've set the fans rpm to default and in a matter of minutes the Northbridge Heat Sink went from 64 C up to 79 C.
Click to expand...

:eek: Mine never exceeds 72 C with 8 sticks of RAM (with non-Apple heatsinks) and four HDDs. Even with ambient temp 29 C.
BTW, northbridge chip in 1.1 has max safe temp ~80 C.

And stupid question: do all fans work? :)
 
666sheep said:
:eek: Mine never exceeds 72 C with 8 sticks of RAM (with non-Apple heatsinks) and four HDDs. Even with ambient temp 29 C.
BTW, northbridge chip in 1.1 has max safe temp ~80 C.

And stupid question: do all fans work? :)
Click to expand...


... and I've let the fans speed at 500 rpm for just 5 minutes, after seeing 79 C I got scared and went back to 1400 rpm.
All fans work.
 
Frodoo said:
4. I use smcFanControl to change the fans speed - on default they are at 500 rpm(I never use this speed), while I have two settings for 1400 and 1600 rpm. What do you mean if the Actual RPM match Target RPM?
Click to expand...

Assuming your smcFanControl application is installed in /Applications, then you just need to open a Terminal window and run the following command:

Code: 
/Applications/smcFanControl.app/Contents/Resources/smc -f

This will show you all of the speed settings for each fan.

For instance:
Code: 
$ /Applications/smcFanControl.app/Contents/Resources/smc -f
Total fans in system: 4

Fan #0:
    Actual speed : 499
    Minimum speed: 500
    Maximum speed: 2900
    Safe speed   : 1200
    Target speed : 500
    Mode         : auto

Fan #1:
    Actual speed : 499
    Minimum speed: 500
    Maximum speed: 2900
    Safe speed   : 1200
    Target speed : 500
    Mode         : auto

Fan #2:
    Actual speed : 599
    Minimum speed: 500
    Maximum speed: 2900
    Safe speed   : 1200
    Target speed : 600
    Mode         : auto

Fan #3:
    Actual speed : 598
    Minimum speed: 600
    Maximum speed: 2800
    Safe speed   : 1200
    Target speed : 600
    Mode         : auto
$

"Actual speed" is the speed at which the fan is currently spinning.
"Target speed" is the speed at which the SMC wants the fan to be spinning.

If these are not in relative agreement, then it is most likely that the fan is failing in some way.

As for which fan is which:

Fan #0: CPU - Lower front of chassis
Fan #1: PCI Bay - Center front of chassis
Fan #2: Exhaust - Bottom rear of chassis
Fan #3: Power Supply - Upper read of chassis

Please post the output from smc -f...

Spidey!!!
 
Frodoo said:
... and I've let the fans speed at 500 rpm for just 5 minutes, after seeing 79 C I got scared and went back to 1400 rpm.
All fans work.
Click to expand...

You probably shouldn't have all fans at 500 rpm. That is definitely too low for the exhaust and PSU fans.

I see normal temps using default fan setting [no smcFanControl running], and have the following target speeds:

Fan #0: CPU - 500 rpm
Fan #1: PCI Bay - 500 rpm
Fan #2: Exhaust - 600 rpm
Fan #3: Power Supply - 600 rpm

The balance of the fan speeds is important -- if it is wrong, then the fans end up working against each other, and you can end up with some areas of the chassis undercooled.

Spidey!!!
 
spidey3 said:
You probably shouldn't have all fans at 500 rpm. That is definitely too low for the exhaust and PSU fans.

I see normal temps using default fan setting [no smcFanControl running], and have the following target speeds:

Fan #0: CPU - 500 rpm
Fan #1: PCI Bay - 500 rpm
Fan #2: Exhaust - 600 rpm
Fan #3: Power Supply - 600 rpm

The balance of the fan speeds is important -- if it is wrong, then the fans end up working against each other, and you can end up with some areas of the chassis undercooled.

Spidey!!!
Click to expand...


Using default speed:
CPU Fan: 500
PCIe / HDD Fan: 500
Rear Fan: 500
Power Supply: 600



The results from Terminal for the default speeds:


/Applications/smcFanControl.app/Contents/Resources/smc -f
Total fans in system: 4

Fan #0:
Actual speed : 500
Minimum speed: 500
Maximum speed: 2900
Safe speed : 1200
Target speed : 500
Mode : auto

Fan #1:
Actual speed : 701
Minimum speed: 500
Maximum speed: 2900
Safe speed : 1200
Target speed : 668
Mode : auto

Fan #2:
Actual speed : 599
Minimum speed: 500
Maximum speed: 2900
Safe speed : 1200
Target speed : 600
Mode : auto

Fan #3:
Actual speed : 598
Minimum speed: 600
Maximum speed: 2800
Safe speed : 1200
Target speed : 600
Mode : auto


------------------------------------


/Applications/smcFanControl.app/Contents/Resources/smc -f
Total fans in system: 4

Fan #0:
Actual speed : 1445
Minimum speed: 1445
Maximum speed: 2900
Safe speed : 1200
Target speed : 1445
Mode : auto

Fan #1:
Actual speed : 1563
Minimum speed: 1564
Maximum speed: 2900
Safe speed : 1200
Target speed : 1564
Mode : auto

Fan #2:
Actual speed : 1545
Minimum speed: 1445
Maximum speed: 2900
Safe speed : 1200
Target speed : 1545
Mode : auto

Fan #3:
Actual speed : 638
Minimum speed: 640
Maximum speed: 2800
Safe speed : 1200
Target speed : 640
Mode : auto




For Fan 3 Power Supply, I've set the speed at 1411 rpm, but all it does is 638 rpm. Is that ok?


The speeds I've set in smcFanControl:

CPU Fan: 1445
PCIe / HDD Fan: 1565
Rear Fan: 1445
Power Supply: 1411
 
Finally figured out the burn smell. It comes from Fan #2: Exhaust - Bottom rear of chassis @ 1400 rpm.

Had to rev up the fans speed to 1800 rpm to make the burn smell go away.

It drives me mental :mad:
 
Frodoo said:
Finally figured out the burn smell. It comes from Fan #2: Exhaust - Bottom rear of chassis @ 1400 rpm.
Click to expand...

Have you removed the memory riser cage and inspected the exhaust fan and motherboard area below the memory risers carefully? I am wondering if airflow in that area is blocked in some way. Also, look for any scorching / discoloration on the motherboard or memory risers. Check that the exhaust fan spins freely.

BTW, are you using Apple standard FBDIMMs, or ones from some other supplier? What do your memory temps look like when you use the default fan speeds?

If you don't find anything obviously wrong with these steps (fan problem, dust accumulation), then I fear you may have a motherboard problem, possibly a bad voltage regulator, etc...

Spidey!!!
 
Neodym said:
Expensive in relation to a bracket solution, which comes at 1/5th or less in comparison to the price of a dedicated card.
Click to expand...
Most I recall went for ~ $20USD, so I didn't think much in terms of a price difference at the time of the previous post. Looking at newegg, I found one for $6 with free shipping (others offered are still where I recall).

But given the inexpensive nature of the eSATA cards (based on the $25 Highpoint that other members have proven work properly in a MP), and less aggravation with disks dropping out, I'd opt for the card. But maybe that's just me. :p
 
nanofrog said:
But given the inexpensive nature of the eSATA cards (based on the $25 Highpoint that other members have proven work properly in a MP), and less aggravation with disks dropping out, I'd opt for the card. But maybe that's just me. :p
Click to expand...

+1 for nanofrog! I had lots of trouble connecting external drives to ODD SATA. Strongly suggest getting a card which properly implements eSATA, not the base SATA meant for internal drives...
 
spidey3 said:
Have you removed the memory riser cage and inspected the exhaust fan and motherboard area below the memory risers carefully? I am wondering if airflow in that area is blocked in some way. Also, look for any scorching / discoloration on the motherboard or memory risers. Check that the exhaust fan spins freely.

BTW, are you using Apple standard FBDIMMs, or ones from some other supplier? What do your memory temps look like when you use the default fan speeds?

If you don't find anything obviously wrong with these steps (fan problem, dust accumulation), then I fear you may have a motherboard problem, possibly a bad voltage regulator, etc...

Spidey!!!
Click to expand...

standard FBDIMMs, the only thing I replaced is the graphics card.

I'll be away for a few days, but as soon as I get back I'll check it up and post the results
 
A big dust bunny

I dont understand how it got this big because almost every month I cleaned up my Mac, but I have to admit I never removed the fans or the cpu heatsinks. Shame on me :)

will post the new results

dvq6v.jpg
 
be VERY wary of static electricity when cleaning that! Use compressed air to blow as much away as you can. Dust and electronics don't get along.
 
old temperatures / new temperatures

using Temperature Monitor

Ambient Air: 25 C - 24 C
CPU A Heatsink 41 C - 26 C
CPU A Proximity 41 C - 30 C
CPU B Heatsink 40 C - 27 C
Expansion Slots 39 C - 28 C
Hard Drive Bay 1 27 C - 24 C
Hard Drive Bay 2 26 C - 24 C
Hard Drive Bay 3 26 C - 24 C
Hard Drive Bay 4 27 C - 24 C
Memory Bank A Point 1 38 C - 26 C
Memory Bank A Point 2 39 C - 27 C
Memory Bank A Point 3 33 C - 27 C
Memory Bank B Point 1 37 C - 26 C
Memory Bank B Point 2 39 C - 28 C
Memory Bank B Point 3 36 C - 29 C
Memory Module A1 52 C - 36 C
Memory Module A2 54 C - 39 C
Memory Module B1 48 C - 35 C
Memory Module B2 55 C - 38 C
Northbridge Heat Sink 63 C - 41 C
Power Supply Location 1 40 C - 34 C
Power Supply Location 2 Smart Disk... 46 C - 40 C
P(9ND1N2RS) 33 C
CPU Core 1 41 C - 22 C
CPU Core 2 39 C - 21 C
CPU Core 3 40 C - 21 C
CPU Core 4 39 C - 21 C

to have relevant results both temperatures are for 1400 rpm.

The problem that I have now is that iStat Menus 3 is showing much higher CPU temperatures, CPU1 is 59 C & CPU2 is 58 C, while the old temperatures according to iStat Menus 3 were CPU1 37 C & CPU2 34 C.

I replaced the thermal compound.

Should I ignore iStat Menus 3 or should I be really worried?

----------
papoopeepoo said:
be VERY wary of static electricity when cleaning that! Use compressed air to blow as much away as you can. Dust and electronics don't get along.
Click to expand...

I already cleaned it up, but took out piece by piece and used compressed air, outside the house.
 
Last edited:
Frodoo said:
A big dust bunny

I dont understand how it got this big because almost every month I cleaned up my Mac, but I have to admit I never removed the fans or the cpu heatsinks.
Click to expand...

Fun fact: Household dust is mostly dead human skin, animal dander, dust mites and dust mite excrement.

As for your particular case: Wow!

I am trying to imagine how that much dust could accumulate. Do you live in a very dusty environment, have pets which shed a lot, or such? Does your clothes dryer exhaust inside the house? How often do you vacuum? Better: Are you in the habit of emptying the vacuum cleaner into your MacPro? :)

Frodoo said:
The problem that I have now is that iStat Menus 3 is showing much higher CPU temperatures, CPU1 is 59 C & CPU2 is 58 C, while the old temperatures according to iStat Menus 3 were CPU1 37 C & CPU2 34 C.
Click to expand...

As I mentioned earlier, iStat Menus has an error in its CPU die temperature calculation on these MacPro's. They should be subtracted from the TjMax for the CPU type (in your case 80°C) - but they are not. End result is that when the die temperature goes down, iStat Menus reports it going up. If we calculate using your "after" iStat Menus output: 80°C (TjMax) - 59°C = 21°C -- which matches with Temperature Monitor perfectly.

Note the problem is not seen in the iStat Pro dashboard widget -- but I think this is because the dashboard widget just reports heatsink temperature - not actual CPU die temperature.

See https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1071398/ for a detailed discussion of the iStat Menus problem.

Spidey!!!
 
I can't imagine how that much dust could have built up inside the machine. :eek:

Regular vacuum cleaning of the surrounding area and absolutely rigorous attention to keeping the area free of dust should solve this in future.

I had custom built PCs that had similar problems - I used large heatsinks and 120mm fans and they typically clogged up with dust, but never that bad. I would expect that your temperatures now are far more reasonable.
 
avro707 said:
I had custom built PCs that had similar problems - I used large heatsinks and 120mm fans and they typically clogged up with dust, but never that bad. I would expect that your temperatures now are far more reasonable.
Click to expand...

Does anyone around here besides me remember working on computing equipment which had filters which needed to be replaced regularly? Seeing something like this makes one wonder why we forgot about the simple idea of having an easily replaceable [or washable] filter on the air intake, so that dust doesn't get inside and gum up everything...

Spidey!!!
 
Yes, I indeed remember that. Lian Li cases. The filter didn't help that much - the case still got dust in it. But that was in a case that was raised only slightly off the carpeted floor on a block of wood. So probably worst case scenario.

I don't think it's worth the bother - it's easier to keep the place clean. This message is a reminder to me to check my Mac Pro 5,1 out tonight and see if it needs dust removed from it.
 
OP, nice Giant Dust Bunny ;) One of the biggest I've ever seen :)
Try stock fan settings, temps should be OK now.
BTW, once in a month I'm disassembling my MP to clean it decently. It works better than any filter. Esp. if you have pets as I do.
 
If you look at the photo, the motherboard behind the front fan and the cpu heatsinks was dusty(because I never opened it up to clean it and the Mac is already 4 years old) but if you look at the rest of the motherboard there is no dust because I would regularly blow out the dust with compressed air.


Guys I can not thank you enough for the help :)
 
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