Mac Overheating?

zorch

Just upgraded the processor in my Cube to 1.3Ghz fanless.
Keeps locking up with the dark grey shutdown message after a few mins.

Is there any logs that I can check to see if the processor is overheating?

Thanks.

ZENER

Can you provide any more details:

Make/model of upgrade.
OS installed.
Any firmware upgrades applied.
Type and amount of RAM.
How long after power up does it fail?
Do you have a cinema display connected to the internal video card and taking power from it ?
Does the heatsink feel overly hot to touch.
Did you follow the installation instructions to the letter ?
Did everything fit back together properly?

Plus anything else you think relevant.
BTW how much did it cost you? I have a Cube myself I'd like to upgrade.

ZEN

zorch

..Cube has

80G HD
17" Apple ADC LCD
Gforce 2MX 32MB
One 512Mb stick PC100
One 256Mb stick PC133
Airport
OSX Panther 3.5

The Upgrade

GiGa designs 7457 1.33Ghz fanless
Giga Designs Firmware upgrade prior to install.
Purchased from Nova International - (about 499Euro)

When I took out the old processor -only had two retaining spring loaded screws - centre one missing. - So the new processor did not have consistent contact across the surface to the heatsink.

Ordered a new set of screws and installed again - does not shut down as quick since then.

Not getting any real heat output at the top - but I doesn't get a chance to stay on for long either 3-4 Mins.

Giga Designs did not reply to my tech support mail.

Thanks for any help / guidance

ZENER

Does the monitor have its own PSU or is it supplied from the cube ? The extra power required by the faster CPU would leave little in reserve for a monitor, on the other hand I wouldn't expect a Kernal Panic from this situation but it may be worth noting.

It's imperative that the Heatsink is flat onto the surface of the CPU with no gaps and just a bead of compound in the center, too much may effect the components protruding from the case of the chip. Is the heatplate making clear contact with the heatsink ? You say the sink doesn't get very warm or doesn't have time to, if this is a heat related problem then it's possible there is no/improper contact between the sink and the plate. The 3 spring loaded screws making a difference would suggest taking it apart again and double checking everything you've done. Would you consider yourself savvy with this kind of procedure ?

Another thing to try is the RAM. You mention 2 sticks, try running the cube with only one and see if either makes any difference.

ZEN

zorch

...took out the 256MB stick and slowed it down to 1Ghz - seems ok - it has been on for a few hours, but I have not pushed it - it's main job is a music server anyway. Heat sink feels hot now - but not unusually so

I may try to reinstall the os if problems reoccur - I have some permissions difficulty ( BSD sub system files) Drive 10 does not fix this. I dont have Norton utilities

TFT ADC get it's power from the cube - I just presume GIGA Designs factor this in when designing the upgrade - think they do a 1.7Ghz with a fan now.
I just want it quiet with reasonable performance.

I do most of my work on a 15" powerbook anyway

ZENER

Is it possible to try the cube with a self powerd monitor for a while just to see what happens ? Reducing the speed of the CPU and removing one stick of RAM will greatly reduce the powr consumption of the computer which has me suspecting this may be a power problem.

The Cube PSU is capable of delivering 205W flat out. The Cube is rated at 8A Max (224 Watts). I would guess this 8A included a monitor originally with the 450 or 500 MHz CPU but with the 1.3GHz the power requirements will increase coupled with the extra RAM this could lead to problems.

The cube makes an excellent music server. I intend to put mine beside my music system downstairs and use one of the many iTunes remote control apps available, from my iBook. It's quiet and pretty to look at too !!

ZEN