n3wblog » dust http://n3wb.com/boolean tech commentary and observations from the future Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:05:27 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Mac Pro Video Card Noise http://n3wb.com/boolean/archives/2009/02/mac-pro-video-card-noise/ http://n3wb.com/boolean/archives/2009/02/mac-pro-video-card-noise/#comments Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:02:28 +0000 boolean http://n3wb.com/boolean/archives/2009/02/mac-pro-video-card-noise/ I’ve noticed that my Mac Pro has gotten progressively noisier over the past year or so. I thought it was due to firmware updates bundled along with OS X 10.5 version bumps. I’ve been through a similar experience with my PowerMac Dual G5 which had wildly-different fan characteristics with odd versions of Tiger.

Finally, I broke down and decided to do some research. First hit revealed, this entry on Macs Are Great. Sounded plausible and matched what I was hearing so I opened up my machine and removed the video card.

ATI Radeon X1900 Dust Cover
Gross. Also, checkout the rad decal on my card. Totally makes it faster.

Update: How did I clean this? I used a Q-tip and a bit of isopropyl alcohol. I meant to take an after-photo, but forgot. You’ll have to take my word that it cleaned right up. My machine’s invisibly quiet now, except for the hard-drives.

]]> http://n3wb.com/boolean/archives/2009/02/mac-pro-video-card-noise/feed/ 2