Putting a Macpro in desk cabinet?

[speekez]

Hello

I have a MacPro and a computer desk that has a cabinent space below I could sit the MacPro in, so it is not in public eye in our livingroom. There is a hole the size of a tennis ball on the back for wires coming out to outlets.

So long as I keep the front door of the cabinent open with operating the computer, should this be okay -- heat wise? Operating with the cabinent door shut would be a no-no though.

 

[Grimace]

Hello

I have a MacPro and a computer desk that has a cabinent space below I could sit the MacPro in, so it is not in public eye in our livingroom. There is a hole the size of a tennis ball on the back for wires coming out to outlets.

So long as I keep the front door of the cabinent open with operating the computer, should this be okay -- heat wise? Operating with the cabinent door shut would be a no-no though.

That should be fine. The fans do the cooling really - the inside is the hottest part. If it feels like an over around the machine after a day, maybe reconsider.

 

[fivetoadsloth]

I dont tihnk youll have any problems, the fans do a really nice job.

 

[product26]

is the hole in the top or the bottom of the back?

if it is up top, you should be okay. the heat is evacuated out the back, and needs to go somewhere once it leaves the computer, otherwise it will build up and make its way to the front of the cabinet where it will be sucked back in to the computer only to make it hotter.

if possible, put some more holes in the back.

 

[speekez]

is the hole in the top or the bottom of the back?

if it is up top, you should be okay. the heat is evacuated out the back, and needs to go somewhere once it leaves the computer, otherwise it will build up and make its way to the front of the cabinet where it will be sucked back in to the computer only to make it hotter.

if possible, put some more holes in the back.

the hole is in the top rear back corner of the side panel. with heat rising, that seems to be the way to go

 

[dkoralek]

is the hole in the top or the bottom of the back?

if it is up top, you should be okay. the heat is evacuated out the back, and needs to go somewhere once it leaves the computer, otherwise it will build up and make its way to the front of the cabinet where it will be sucked back in to the computer only to make it hotter.

if possible, put some more holes in the back.

Yeah, I can't reinforce this more. Just because the fans evacuate air from inside the machine, if it can't get out of the space, it's just going to get right back in. So, what you might happen is that the fans start running faster (increasing the noise level, which for mine is dead silent), and still not reducing the temps inside. You could try it for a while and use something like hardware monitor to see what happens to the temps while you run things with your set up. Out of curiosity, how much room is around the machine in its cupboard? How big is the hole? If it isn't much bigger than enough room to allow the cables to fit through, it isn't going to be good enough.

cheers.

 

[speekez]

Yeah, I can't reinforce this more. Just because the fans evacuate air from inside the machine, if it can't get out of the space, it's just going to get right back in. So, what you might happen is that the fans start running faster (increasing the noise level, which for mine is dead silent), and still not reducing the temps inside. You could try it for a while and use something like hardware monitor to see what happens to the temps while you run things with your set up. Out of curiosity, how much room is around the machine in its cupboard? How big is the hole? If it isn't much bigger than enough room to allow the cables to fit through, it isn't going to be good enough.

cheers.

Yes. I agree that the machine needs surrounding air that is cooler to pull in. The hole is a bit bigger than a baseball. There's about 8 inches above the computer to spare, with 3-4 inches on each side. Right now, there's a G3 in it (I am upgrading to the MacPro soon). So, now is a good time to experiment.

 

[aaronw1986]

Oh why, oh why...be proud of that Mac Pro, show it off!

 

[speekez]

Oh why, oh why...be proud of that Mac Pro, show it off!

Hahaha I would love to.... alas, no place to put it without my feet hitting it

 

[cynerjist]

Yes. I agree that the machine needs surrounding air that is cooler to pull in. The hole is a bit bigger than a baseball. There's about 8 inches above the computer to spare, with 3-4 inches on each side. Right now, there's a G3 in it (I am upgrading to the MacPro soon). So, now is a good time to experiment.

Personally, I would not put it in that cabinet. 3-4 inches on the sides and rear and a baseball (or slightly larger) sized hole is not sufficient ventilation, in my opinion. Even if your cabinet is made of metal, the heat will build up, and much more so if it is wood.

But it's your call. No better course than to try it and see if you are comfortable with it.

 

[madyaks]

I had one in the same sort of enclosure..
Don't do it, it got very warm down there, you could actually feel the difference in temperature when you stuck your hand down there to pop in a CD.

Let it breathe.

 

[speekez]

hi gang

thanks for the helpful replies and taking an interest. I will certainly keep your cautions in mind. Two things:

1. Is there a program I can run on the MacPro to test temperature? Is there a certain temperature I certain go over?

2. The back wall of the cabinent can come off without affecting the structural integrity of the desk.... that way, the entire back of the cabinet could be open for air.... probably even better for the fans so they can blow the air out the back. Anyone think this is a good idea? It might be a good compromise.

 

[Counterfit]

Absolutely take the back off.

 

[dkoralek]

hi gang

thanks for the helpful replies and taking an interest. I will certainly keep your cautions in mind. Two things:

1. Is there a program I can run on the MacPro to test temperature? Is there a certain temperature I certain go over?

2. The back wall of the cabinent can come off without affecting the structural integrity of the desk.... that way, the entire back of the cabinet could be open for air.... probably even better for the fans so they can blow the air out the back. Anyone think this is a good idea? It might be a good compromise.

taking the whole back off would probably be more effective. You can use a program like hardware monitor http://www.bresink.com/osx/HardwareMonitor.html to read off all of the temps in your mac pro (it will tell you what the core temps are, the ram risers, the ram chips, the drives, etc. as well as tell you how fast the fans are spinning, etc.

cheers.

 

[ljones]

I have to leave my cabinet door open. Because the incoming airflow gets cut down and the heat in the cabinet builds up becauase the main opening in my desk is at the bottom. I'll likely cut that back piece out one ay to free up that hot air. but i think it still needs a good amount of air flow to enter the system. So until i make some changes or get another desk, my decsk door stays open.