Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Water cooling a 2009 Mac Pro cpu

T

Thecoretechreview

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 30, 2016
21
3
Melbourne Australia
hi guys

I wanted to start the conversation on this subject.

I have a 2009 4,1 Mac Pro now running a 980x 3.33ghz i7 with a GTX 680 and 12gb of 1333mhz ram.

I have noticed the cpu idling around 40c right now, ambient is around 30c on a summers day here in Melbourne Australia.

During games in Windows, it can get into the mid 60's Celsius with fans controlling via macs fan control app.

I have spotted all in one coolers on the market these days that have refillable reservoirs and therefore the ability to shorten or adjust the hoses.

http://www.raijintek.com/en/products_detail.php?ProductID=37

And

http://www.lepatek.com/eng/product_content/31/1/76/#produkte


Both of the above claim to have the brackets to fit to lga 1366 CPUs that exist on the Mac Pro.

2 questions.
  • Are the stand offs that hold the apple cooler the same dimensions as a standard 1366 cpu?
  • What happens to the fans when the apple cooler is removed? Do they go crazy?
Thanks in advance!

Phil
 
Thecoretechreview said:
  • Are the stand offs that hold the apple cooler the same dimensions as a standard 1366 cpu?
  • What happens to the fans when the apple cooler is removed? Do they go crazy?
Click to expand...
Hi Phil.
1. No. Dimensions are different. See attached images.
2. You can control fans with software like MacsFanControl. But before OS start fan will go crazy.
3. Standart Apple cooler also cooling chipset heatsink. If you remove it you will get northbridge overheating.
So my opinion, that watercooling not good idea for cMP.

MacPro 5,1 Single CPU Board
maxresdefault.jpg


Standart LGA1366
Socket_LGA_1366_open_R7309468_wp.jpg
 
Thecoretechreview said:
hi guys

I wanted to start the conversation on this subject.

I have a 2009 4,1 Mac Pro now running a 980x 3.33ghz i7 with a GTX 680 and 12gb of 1333mhz ram.

I have noticed the cpu idling around 40c right now, ambient is around 30c on a summers day here in Melbourne Australia.

During games in Windows, it can get into the mid 60's Celsius with fans controlling via macs fan control app.

I have spotted all in one coolers on the market these days that have refillable reservoirs and therefore the ability to shorten or adjust the hoses.

http://www.raijintek.com/en/products_detail.php?ProductID=37

And

http://www.lepatek.com/eng/product_content/31/1/76/#produkte


Both of the above claim to have the brackets to fit to lga 1366 CPUs that exist on the Mac Pro.

2 questions.
  • Are the stand offs that hold the apple cooler the same dimensions as a standard 1366 cpu?
  • What happens to the fans when the apple cooler is removed? Do they go crazy?
Thanks in advance!

Phil
Click to expand...

Not 100% sure, but my understanding is that the heatsink mount points are non standard on the cMP. So, none of those after market liquid cooler work OOTB for the cMP regardless which socket is.

Mid 60 is nothing for the CPU, I often stress my CPU to high 70 24/7. That's way below the thermal throttling temperature, no way can cause any damage.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: jeff7117 and EnderBeta
Thecoretechreview said:
hi guys

I wanted to start the conversation on this subject.

I have a 2009 4,1 Mac Pro now running a 980x 3.33ghz i7 with a GTX 680 and 12gb of 1333mhz ram.

I have noticed the cpu idling around 40c right now, ambient is around 30c on a summers day here in Melbourne Australia.

During games in Windows, it can get into the mid 60's Celsius with fans controlling via macs fan control app.

I have spotted all in one coolers on the market these days that have refillable reservoirs and therefore the ability to shorten or adjust the hoses.

http://www.raijintek.com/en/products_detail.php?ProductID=37

And

http://www.lepatek.com/eng/product_content/31/1/76/#produkte


Both of the above claim to have the brackets to fit to lga 1366 CPUs that exist on the Mac Pro.

2 questions.
  • Are the stand offs that hold the apple cooler the same dimensions as a standard 1366 cpu?
  • What happens to the fans when the apple cooler is removed? Do they go crazy?
Thanks in advance!

Phil
Click to expand...

Also, bear in mind they're Xeon chips, not i7s. They're server grade CPUs and will take a hell of a lot more thermal punishment over their lifetimes than a desktop grade chip.
 
Theophany said:
Also, bear in mind they're Xeon chips, not i7s. They're server grade CPUs and will take a hell of a lot more thermal punishment over their lifetimes than a desktop grade chip.
Click to expand...

May be OP really using the i7, it's a know fact that 980x is compatible on the cMP. And some guys actually go for these CPU because they were a bit cheaper.
 
Those CPU temperatures seem pretty decent actually to me... the ambient is a little higher, but the load temperature is very reasonable.

Not sure the amount of hassle to get something like this setup will be worth the tradeoff / benefits TBH.
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies, it's good to see the conversation is going.

I shall measure up the mount points in comparison to the standard, and share it with you all.

I am running a i7 980x, I mostly play games but didn't want a PC due to needing Mac OS X access.

I have to admit, I forgot about the north Bridge!

My aim is to reduce noise..... I will be attacking the GPU department in another thread.
[doublepost=1490043757][/doublepost]
Filin said:
Hi Phil.
1. No. Dimensions are different. See attached images.
2. You can control fans with software like MacsFanControl. But before OS start fan will go crazy.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the images, thats really helpful.

Regarding the fans, which fans go crazy? All of them or just the CPU section of the case?
 
Hey guys,

So I measured up the CPU tray to check clearance.

I found that a 120mm fan/radiator would not fit the height of the trays opening and would require mods I'm not willing to do. My idea is that the tray would still be removable and want everything to fit there.

I found the following
CPU pump/reservior combo
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/cpu-cooler/intel-amd/20228/alphacool-eisbaer-solo-2600rpm-black

low profile 90 degree fittings
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/fitt...0-anschraubtuelle-900-drehbar-g1/4-deep-black

A radiator that fitted
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/radi...xt45-full-copper-92mm-single-radiator?c=20543

a universal Northbridge cooler.
https://www.alphacool.com/shop/gpu-...l-hf-14-smart-motion-universal-nickel-edition

and checked to see if there was enough space using fusion 360.

here is what I have come up with.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vymzebklut2gt5o/cpu tray clearance.jpg?dl=0

https://www.dropbox.com/s/slz2um4f5v0r2r0/macpro cpu tray cooler.jpg?dl=0

what does everyone think?
 
How you going to mount the water block on to the CPU tray with the Apple style non standard mounting points?
 
Last edited:
h9826790 said:
How you going to mount the watch block on to the CPU tray with the Apple style non standard mounting points?
Click to expand...

I have access to a 2 axis cnc machine to make a new adapter for the water block.

Filin: I take your point about the mosfets. I noticed that the current heatsink was touching them with some thermal transfer pads. Most likely I will cool those with some stick-on heat sinks commonly found on motherboards in the PC world.
 
  • Like
Reactions: h9826790
Thecoretechreview said:
I have access to a 2 axis cnc machine to make a new adapter for the water block.

Filin: I take your point about the mosfets. I noticed that the current heatsink was touching them with some thermal transfer pads. Most likely I will cool those with some stick-on heat sinks commonly found on motherboards in the PC world.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about 3D printing, however, not sure which material can do the job. If you can CNC the parts, that should be a much better option.
 
honestly, i'd recommend buying an empty mac pro case and attempting to fit all this stuff inside of it before you destroy your existing case.

even 70C is well within the thermal envelope design for that CPU. noise issues aside, you're nowhere near a threshold that would cause a problem with the CPU.

why not go hackintosh? you're already running non-standard CPUs and video cards, going to a hackintosh wouldnt be a huge leap and you'll have a much easier time getting silent components. I run a dual xeon hack with Noctua heatsinks and silent seasonic power supplies, makes way less noise than a mac pro.

i understand sometimes its really just about the challenge but I have to wonder how much return you'd get out of this for the amount of time, money, and work involved.
 
kwikdeth said:
honestly, i'd recommend buying an empty mac pro case and attempting to fit all this stuff inside of it before you destroy your existing case.

even 70C is well within the thermal envelope design for that CPU. noise issues aside, you're nowhere near a threshold that would cause a problem with the CPU.

why not go hackintosh? you're already running non-standard CPUs and video cards, going to a hackintosh wouldnt be a huge leap and you'll have a much easier time getting silent components. I run a dual xeon hack with Noctua heatsinks and silent seasonic power supplies, makes way less noise than a mac pro.

i understand sometimes its really just about the challenge but I have to wonder how much return you'd get out of this for the amount of time, money, and work involved.
Click to expand...

Hi Kwikdeath,

Just to be clear, I am not going to make any mods to the case or components that are not replaceable, I appreciate your comments about doing a hackintosh but that is a much more expensive route considering that I would have to buy everything. And sell everything I already have.

Noise is my main concern, but the main reason for doing this is to tinker! And all components would be transferable to my next machine..... Which could be a hackintosh if apple don't pull their finger out and get this new Mac Pro done soon!
 
  • Like
Reactions: kwikdeth
Thecoretechreview said:
hi guys

I wanted to start the conversation on this subject.

I have a 2009 4,1 Mac Pro now running a 980x 3.33ghz i7 with a GTX 680 and 12gb of 1333mhz ram.

I have noticed the cpu idling around 40c right now, ambient is around 30c on a summers day here in Melbourne Australia.

During games in Windows, it can get into the mid 60's Celsius with fans controlling via macs fan control app.

I have spotted all in one coolers on the market these days that have refillable reservoirs and therefore the ability to shorten or adjust the hoses.

http://www.raijintek.com/en/products_detail.php?ProductID=37

And

http://www.lepatek.com/eng/product_content/31/1/76/#produkte


Both of the above claim to have the brackets to fit to lga 1366 CPUs that exist on the Mac Pro.

2 questions.
  • Are the stand offs that hold the apple cooler the same dimensions as a standard 1366 cpu?
  • What happens to the fans when the apple cooler is removed? Do they go crazy?
Thanks in advance!

Phil
Click to expand...

Just finished mine
 

Attachments

  • IMG_20190601_213542.jpg
    IMG_20190601_213542.jpg
    3.9 MB · Views: 3,027
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Reactions: Prophet96ix, MIKX, orph and 2 others
Wakomushu

Your CPU cooling solution must have been a labor of love ! I salute you ! "

1. What were the biggest problems ?

2. What was the total cost ?

3. If you have iStats menus could you post a screen shot please ?

I have been working on " general 4,1 & 5,1 overall internal case cooling" with particular attention to the Northbridge chip. " since April 2019.

My thread is here : https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...mp-reduction-in-dual-cpu-cmp-4-1-5-1.2179729/

I posted a new iStats menus report there tonight.
 
Pretty cool... However it has been proven many times that air cooling with good heatsinks are actually superior than water... Linus tech tips and others have tested this pretty extensively. Noctua brand air cooler is the best option. However, not sure the noctua unit would fit in a cMP.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back