When New Mac Pro?

[relbbircs]

My early 2008 Mac Pro has developed an intermittent buzzing. Blowing dust out helps, but it keeps coming back. Instead of trouble shooting I'm thinking I should buy a new Mac Pro, but want to hold off if the new models will be here soon. Any thoughts as to the wait for them?

Thanks!

[Woops -- I should've scrolled down further to the previous thread.]

 

[Hellhammer]

Most likely not before Q4 2011 or early 2012. The CPUs for MP won't be out before Q4.

 

[Joshuarocks]

My early 2008 Mac Pro has developed an intermittent buzzing. Blowing dust out helps, but it keeps coming back. Instead of trouble shooting I'm thinking I should buy a new Mac Pro, but want to hold off if the new models will be here soon. Any thoughts as to the wait for them?

Thanks!

[Woops -- I should've scrolled down further to the previous thread.]

First off, don't panic 2nd, have you diagnosed where the buzzing is coming from? It could be possibly some dust in big clumps attached to one of the fans. Or it could also have to do with possibly the power supply. Try to further diagnose the area where the noise is coming from. From my experience, the 2008 Mac Pro was and still is one of the most reliable mac pros ever built.. the ati 2600xt video card left a lot to be desired, but in terms of the 2008 model, it is one of the best ones out there. And the LAST to be built by INTEL before FOXCONN took over motherboard manufacturing(nanofrog).

 

[MacFanJeff]

My early 2008 Mac Pro has developed an intermittent buzzing. Blowing dust out helps, but it keeps coming back. Instead of trouble shooting I'm thinking I should buy a new Mac Pro, but want to hold off if the new models will be here soon. Any thoughts as to the wait for them?

Thanks!

[Woops -- I should've scrolled down further to the previous thread.]

There's no reason to think anything is wrong with the 2008 Mac Pro from what you state here. You just need to look into it as it should be a simple fix. That buzzing may be caused by the video card as the other poster said. My nVidia card 8800 is great and you can find Apple specific ones taken from systems on eBay at a reasonable cost.

If you just want to upgrade, nothing wrong with that. Just don't think your system is somehow bad that you have now.

 

[Joshuarocks]

There's no reason to think anything is wrong with the 2008 Mac Pro from what you state here. You just need to look into it as it should be a simple fix. That buzzing may be caused by the video card as the other poster said. My nVidia card 8800 is great and you can find Apple specific ones taken from systems on eBay at a reasonable cost.

If you just want to upgrade, nothing wrong with that. Just don't think your system is somehow bad that you have now.

I second that.. and while my Mac Pro sleeps right now, I am on my Quad G5 and it seems to chug along just fine.. JUst because of some noise in your 2008 Mac Pro don't think you need a new machine..

Thats where I went wrong when I went overboard getting 6-core capability for my 2009 mac pro.. now 2010.

 

[CaptainChunk]

Likely one of two things:

1. Dirty/clogged fans - check graphics card and system intake/outtake fans.

2. Buzzing power supply - not a cheap part (around $300 or so), but way cheaper than buying a new Mac Pro.

In other words (like mentioned before), it sounds like a relatively minor problem and you shouldn't have to replace your entire machine unless you really do want to upgrade.

 

[relbbircs]

It might well be the power supply -- I think the video card and fans are fairly well clear of dust and fans working OK.

Noise is an issue because the computer sits next to a microphone used in sound production. Maybe with the expected Sound Track Pro update a new Mac Pro would be significantly faster for audio editing, I don't know... I hate to sink $5K-plus into a new machine if not needed, or if a new model is due shortly, but would rather get a replacement than fool around trying to fix an errant buzz...

Likely one of two things:

2. Buzzing power supply - not a cheap part (around $300 or so), but way cheaper than buying a new Mac Pro.

 

[IceMacMac]

...the 2008 Mac Pro was and still is one of the most reliable mac pros ever built.. the ati 2600xt video card left a lot to be desired, but in terms of the 2008 model, it is one of the best ones out there. And the LAST to be built by INTEL before FOXCONN took over motherboard manufacturing(nanofrog).

That's an interesting fact that I hadn't known. I can attest that my MacPro 2008 has been completely trouble free; whereas my MacPro 2009 has had chronic issues.