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MP 7,1 The new Mac Pro is not that quiet?
- Thread starter Parzival
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I can't overstate how subjective "noise" is in these situations. One person's "silent" is another's cacophony.
The only way you can truly compare MP noise levels is if everyone uses a decibel meter, using the same settings, and set the exact same distance and location from the computer. Also for reference, it might be helpful to measure your room noise with the computer powered off before hand.
Example for my 2012 5,1 (3.33 hex-core w/RX560 GPU):
Using the SPL Meter app for iOS (settings: A weighting, slow response, 40db range)
32.2 db measured 16" from front and center of MP case.
Room noise with computer asleep: 28.7 db (iPhone 6), 27.1 db (iPhone 11)
The only way you can truly compare MP noise levels is if everyone uses a decibel meter, using the same settings, and set the exact same distance and location from the computer. Also for reference, it might be helpful to measure your room noise with the computer powered off before hand.
Example for my 2012 5,1 (3.33 hex-core w/RX560 GPU):
Using the SPL Meter app for iOS (settings: A weighting, slow response, 40db range)
32.2 db measured 16" from front and center of MP case.
Room noise with computer asleep: 28.7 db (iPhone 6), 27.1 db (iPhone 11)
I did the same here and my room measured 33.8 db with the Mac Pro 7,1 running and 29.1 db with it turned off measured 18" from the computer, where my head sits. I can just barely hear that 4.7 db difference if I try to listen for it.
The human mind has the capability to adjust to a certain amount of environmental background sound unlike the unwanted recording of it. I remember my fruity iMac‘s hard drive made a constant high pitched sound like a mosquito. I was told that that was normal but with no competing background sounds such as in a office enviroment it was irritating to say the least. My solution was to have music playing while using my iMac and slowly reduce the volume of the music. After a few days my brain had dialed out the iMac HD sound to the point where it was still audible, of course, but no longer a distraction.
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Basic sound test:
Ambient background noise (Mac Pro Off): 24db
Mac Pro Blower: 75db
Mac Pro Top outlet: 44db
These tests aren't meant to be super accurate - they are taken far too close to show realistic values - but should be easy enough for anyone to do and having comparisons against other people's setups will make the tests useful.
If you'd like to do the same test you need the following:
Turn on the computer, leave it to idle. If it's a protected drive, don't enter the password and do the tests from there.
Blower - 75db
Place it as shown in below 2 pictures (almost touching). You're trying to aim to find the loudest consistent output so you may need to move your phone a little to achieve that.
This is where I tested it from, 5 circles up:
Back - 44db
Place almost touching between 3 circles and 4 circles down from the top, center.
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If you can, please perform this tests and share your results here.
Ambient background noise (Mac Pro Off): 24db
Mac Pro Blower: 75db
Mac Pro Top outlet: 44db
These tests aren't meant to be super accurate - they are taken far too close to show realistic values - but should be easy enough for anyone to do and having comparisons against other people's setups will make the tests useful.
If you'd like to do the same test you need the following:
- Mac Pro
- iPhone (11 Pro used, but I'm assuming any modern one will have similar microphones)
- Decibel X (App)
Turn on the computer, leave it to idle. If it's a protected drive, don't enter the password and do the tests from there.
Blower - 75db
Place it as shown in below 2 pictures (almost touching). You're trying to aim to find the loudest consistent output so you may need to move your phone a little to achieve that.
This is where I tested it from, 5 circles up:
Back - 44db
Place almost touching between 3 circles and 4 circles down from the top, center.
---
If you can, please perform this tests and share your results here.
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Don't you think that's a bit close? I used the same app and tested where my head is, about 18-24" from the Mac Pro. No one will have their ear pushed against the case.
Whoa! 75db is like, car-engine idling level!
Reading at that close a distance, you're probably getting some air turbulence to skew the reading. I suggest backing off to at least 16" (on center, case front) to ensure no air flow blows across the mic (You'd be surprised how sensitive they can be). Also, make sure your hand is super-steady (vibration) and you're not breathing in the direction of the device mic.
Example: you wouldn't think a caterpillar eating a leaf would seem that loud. But stick a sensitive condenser mic up close and you're in for a surprise! Best to measure from a more real-world distance for usable, relatable results. (IMO)
Reading at that close a distance, you're probably getting some air turbulence to skew the reading. I suggest backing off to at least 16" (on center, case front) to ensure no air flow blows across the mic (You'd be surprised how sensitive they can be). Also, make sure your hand is super-steady (vibration) and you're not breathing in the direction of the device mic.
Example: you wouldn't think a caterpillar eating a leaf would seem that loud. But stick a sensitive condenser mic up close and you're in for a surprise! Best to measure from a more real-world distance for usable, relatable results. (IMO)
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What standard are you referring to?
3 feet is quite a ways away from what's supposed to be a quiet computer. I'd wonder about achieving consistent readings over room tone, depending on the user environment. A slightly closer measurement helps rule out room tone. (although too close, such as with AdamSeen's measurements, runs the risk of proximity effect, among other issues mentioned above)
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I agree with the sentiment, it's too close. But if somebody does the same thing then the results are comparable. The iPhone isn't a sensitive sound testing device, capturing the extremes will produce the useful results in an easy way. Additionally having to create a standardised test at a distance from the Mac isn't easy. A metre from the Mac, from which angle? Did you guess or measure the metre? From which point? What material are your walls made from? How far away are you from the walls? etc...
It’s a standard for all dB measurements so you get consistent comparison readings. I work in an industry where we have to take readings if all plant and equipment, the readings have too be a 1m and compared with standards for health and safety. Variable distances give different readings.
With this much debate I am guessing it is not loud at all, you have an immensely powerful computer and it is going to take some fan work to cool it off. Get used to it. Sure I got laptops, iMac biggest thing sold, but you are talking the Pro correct??? Just move the thing to an isolated, preferably cooler area and record your jams or serve your music or whatever.
Would be great to have iMacPro/MacMini data to compare. Can anyone please measure the db values?
The iPhone mic is not bad at all for this use case, seeing as the noise floor for a MP will be well within it's capabilities. (more so than my old Radio Shack SPL meter, even!) More importantly, everyone can download the same app, so test methods are more likely to be consistent.
I really hope someone can test this (https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...et.2221291/page-3?post=28181109#post-28181109), especially happy to get any readings from people who are happy with the noise or say they hear no noise.
Going to open up the MP tonight to try a few more things, as I'm sure the majority of the noise is coming from the blower area now. Maybe I reseated one of the memory covers incorrectly? Does different CAS latency RAM (after market) increase the speed of the blower?
Going to open up the MP tonight to try a few more things, as I'm sure the majority of the noise is coming from the blower area now. Maybe I reseated one of the memory covers incorrectly? Does different CAS latency RAM (after market) increase the speed of the blower?
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After spending a lot of time with it this evening, the noise is coming from the blower fan (PSU/SSD/RAM cooler). With the blower fan off, it sounds substaintially better. Here is the sound difference:
Swapping the memory back to default made no difference. All fans are running at nornal speeds: 490-591 RPM.
Unexpectedly, the iMac (non-pro) is quieter than the Mac Pro.
I'll give Apple a call tomorrow and consider what my next steps are. If any of you have a Mac Pro and can test it, please let me know your results (https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...et.2221291/page-3?post=28181109#post-28181109).
Swapping the memory back to default made no difference. All fans are running at nornal speeds: 490-591 RPM.
Unexpectedly, the iMac (non-pro) is quieter than the Mac Pro.
I'll give Apple a call tomorrow and consider what my next steps are. If any of you have a Mac Pro and can test it, please let me know your results (https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...et.2221291/page-3?post=28181109#post-28181109).
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These numbers seem pretty meaningless since I measure 85db near the blower, yet where I sit a few feet away it's extremely quiet. I've been encoding video for several hours during which my CPU has been between 1200 and 1500% (it's a 12-core), so that may explain why my numbers are higher than yours:
Ambient background noise: 35db
Mac Pro Blower: 85db
Mac Pro Top outlet: 45db
Roughly 3 feet away from the Mac: 36db
In the last few years I've used an iMac (non-Pro), Mac Mini, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, and a 2013 Mac Pro, and at full load the 2019 Mac Pro is roughly equivalent to the 2013 Mac Pro and much, much quieter than the others. It's hard to distinguish the Mac Pros from the heat/AC in my office, and there's basically no difference between the sound level at idle and under full load, from a few feet away.
Ambient background noise: 35db
Mac Pro Blower: 85db
Mac Pro Top outlet: 45db
Roughly 3 feet away from the Mac: 36db
In the last few years I've used an iMac (non-Pro), Mac Mini, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, and a 2013 Mac Pro, and at full load the 2019 Mac Pro is roughly equivalent to the 2013 Mac Pro and much, much quieter than the others. It's hard to distinguish the Mac Pros from the heat/AC in my office, and there's basically no difference between the sound level at idle and under full load, from a few feet away.
Thank you for doing the test, it is extremely helpful.
Your room is a louder than mine so I'm assuming the noise won't be apparent.
As your blower fan figure is higher, it likely means mine is operating within normal parameters and there's nothing wrong with it.
I believe it would be fair to say that the Mac Pro is quietest machine at load. At idle, it doesn't seem to be - even my PC I put together, which I didn't aim for super quiet, is quieter. As is my iMac.
One of my primary reasons for buying it was it being quiet and powerful - quieter than I could build, but it isn't the case. For my mixed loads use case (heavy intermittent use, followed by quiet evening writing), I'll make a decision soon if the upsides outweigh the down.
Your room is a louder than mine so I'm assuming the noise won't be apparent.
As your blower fan figure is higher, it likely means mine is operating within normal parameters and there's nothing wrong with it.
I believe it would be fair to say that the Mac Pro is quietest machine at load. At idle, it doesn't seem to be - even my PC I put together, which I didn't aim for super quiet, is quieter. As is my iMac.
One of my primary reasons for buying it was it being quiet and powerful - quieter than I could build, but it isn't the case. For my mixed loads use case (heavy intermittent use, followed by quiet evening writing), I'll make a decision soon if the upsides outweigh the down.
This. As close as possible to a fan outlet partially turns that meter into an 'airspeed' meter, not a noise meter. Noise is measured as change in pressure. If you put it into a high pressure zone ( impinged with high airflow ) then will measure that also.
Whatever wall surface you system's blower is blowing at may be contributing also. ( if set up a somewhat of a speaker chamber then can get the a sound boost in other parts of the room. )
As far as airspeed goes ... yes the blower has higher speed than the high diameter bypass fans. Cooling effectiveness is by the amount (mass) of air moved . So smaller diameter means moving the air faster to get to the similar range .
I've tried mentioning this as well... But not only this, but when you stick most mics up close to a sound source, you get bass build-up, also know as "proximity effect" which will certainly skew your reading to give higher values.
1 meter may a standard among industrial equipment, but for a quiet studio environment it may be too far away. Your meter will pick up considerable room tone along the MP case noise, again giving you a potential bad reading. Stick with something like 12-18" for best, most consistent results.
At any rate, with a machine with a $6k starting price, nobody should even have be thinking about these sort of things! Hope you get it sorted out asap. ??
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I do understand that the test is inaccurate, but it's been incredibly useful to find out where the problem is and what's caused it without having to try and setup an accurate test environment.
I spoke to Apple today, they've escalated it to an engineer to have a look into and maybe provide expected dB levels - but I doubt Apple will disclose that, I will update here if they do.
Unfortunately I'll have run out of time to return it by the time they get back to me, so with great sadness I'm going to send it back tomorrow.
It's a shame Apple never sent out units to reviewers to get in-depth technical reviews. I've still no real idea if it's me in a quiet room being irritated by it, or the blower fan in my computer is somehow defective.
I spoke to Apple today, they've escalated it to an engineer to have a look into and maybe provide expected dB levels - but I doubt Apple will disclose that, I will update here if they do.
Unfortunately I'll have run out of time to return it by the time they get back to me, so with great sadness I'm going to send it back tomorrow.
It's a shame Apple never sent out units to reviewers to get in-depth technical reviews. I've still no real idea if it's me in a quiet room being irritated by it, or the blower fan in my computer is somehow defective.
My 28 Core MP7,1 is currently undergoing a long term stress test with its processor upgrade .
All its cores and threads have been at 100 percent continuous load for the last 24 hours , using a prime number calculating program .
Factory SMC wasn't rotating the system fans fast enough to cool the W-3275M properly , so I bumped up all four system fans to 1,000 RPM using MFC . The processor is as cool as a cucumber now . Around 65 degrees Celsius at the Tcase using Intel's Power Gadget for Mac .
I can't hear a thing from the front of the Mac . The rear has a slight hum . I'll see if I can get some sound pressure readings later today . But even for sensitive music editors , I don't think it'll be a big deal .
Apple got it right with the cooling system , so far as I can tell .
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I have a professional ( albeit inexpensive ) sound pressure meter . I'll try to test my MP7,1 later today . See my previous post for details .
All its cores and threads have been at 100 percent continuous load for the last 24 hours , using a prime number calculating program .
Factory SMC wasn't rotating the system fans fast enough to cool the W-3275M properly , so I bumped up all four system fans to 1,000 RPM using MFC . The processor is as cool as a cucumber now . Around 65 degrees Celsius at the Tcase using Intel's Power Gadget for Mac .
I can't hear a thing from the front of the Mac . The rear has a slight hum . I'll see if I can get some sound pressure readings later today . But even for sensitive music editors , I don't think it'll be a big deal .
Apple got it right with the cooling system , so far as I can tell .
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I have a professional ( albeit inexpensive ) sound pressure meter . I'll try to test my MP7,1 later today . See my previous post for details .
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