Mac Pro 2009 Upgrade issues

[sqhead]

I recently upgraded a couple more things on my MacPro 4.1 8 core.

• stock processors 2.26 to 2.93 &
• GPU from 5770 to 5870 (prior to the 5770 it had the GT120)

And now I’ve noticed a few peculiar things and have a few questions to the group, whether anyone has noticed or experienced similar things.

I’ve noticed, after boot up, say 10-20 seconds, there’s a noticeable click coming from the power supply. Similar to a relay sound or load protection circuit, not exactly sure what it is. The same sound also occurs about 10-20 secs after the computer goes to sleep or shutdown. I’ve replaced the GPU back to the ATI 5770 and have not heard it again. Is this normal when using the ATI 5870 given it uses more power to run? I’ve also noticed that the “PCIe Slot 1 12v” value in iStat changed from approx. 2.5A to 3.8A with the 5870.

I’m now just running the 5770 card as I’m worried that there could be something wrong with the 5870 causing the power supply to overload?

Another strange thing I’ve noticed, when playing around with the fan speed of the booster A and booster B fans. If I increase the speed of just A, B also increases to the same value, but I can increase B independently of A. Also not sure if this is normal or have I done something when upgrading the cpu’s? (I did use the delid cpu’s)

Any feedback or help would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[h9826790]

Not sure about the A B fan, but there are some logic in the fans, e.g. if you increase the exhaust fan speed, almost all CPU related fan speed will increase.

The 5870 of course will draw more than the 5770. 3.8A is nothing, the official max is about 6.1A for the PCIe slot.

There is no way the 5870 can overload the 980W PSU. I am running 2x 7950 with internal power only, still not even close to half of the rated power that the PSU can deliver..

 

[sqhead]

I agree with you there about the 5870 not overloading the PSU, but what about the single pop like sound coming from the PSU. Have you heard anything like that before?

 

[h9826790]

I agree with you there about the 5870 not overloading the PSU, but what about the single pop like sound coming from the PSU. Have you heard anything like that before?

TBH, not sure about that. Can you confirm the click should is from the card or from the PSU?

 

[sqhead]

Definitely the PSU, as I first heard it while the side cover was off, just after installing the 5870 I was checking that the fan was spinning up (I had replaced the fan).

 

[h9826790]

If the 5870 cause that, the problem could be quite serious. I never use the 5870, but from 4870 jump to 7950, so can't really confirm that, but I don't think it's normal to hear that second click for 5870.

 

[Squuiid]

My PSU clicks once when powering on or coming out of sleep.
Yours sounds different in that it's delayed.
Definitely a relay like sound though.

 

[Macbookclinicleadtech]

I guarantee its and issue with the card not your PSU, thsts a tiny power difference it can handle twice that amount . You were smart to throw the old card back in .

As others have said 7950 is way to go ......huge difference