Why I'm not going to use an SSD for now anyway

[pwhinson]

Much of what I've read on this forum indicates there's wisdom in using an SSD in a stripped down computer, mostly recommending a G5 2.0 double processor single core machine. The machine runs a stripped down version of OS X plus itunes. The actual music is stored on an external device of your choosing. Its been suggested that an SSD in the G5 box would reduce the heat in the G5 and thus reduce the fan speed noise.

 

After talking this morning with an apple specialist (not with the company but a professional systems installer/integrator) - I'm leaning away from doing this because according to him, what I'm likely hearing is the processor fans running. Now mind you I RARELY hear them running. After hours of listening or when I'm listening to high rez material I occasionally hear the fans rev up to a higher speed sometimes. Nonetheless, an SSD, according to the consultant, would not significantly impact the noise I'm hearing because the processor fans in the G5 are mounted directly behind the two processors and different zones within the G5 and thermally and acoustically separated. Not only that, there is literally a metal wall between the hard drive assembly and the rest of the internals of the G5. The G5 has nine fans, but only two that are ever really audible - the processor fans. I don't think the addition of an SSD is going to make any difference there. Any PERSONAL EXPERIENCE out there regarding this specific configuration and issue?

 

[The Computer Audiophile]

I have a lot of personal experience with this configuration. An SSD has improved the sound of my audio and I will not use a server without an SSD any more. That said, the loud fans are processor fans and I recommend a Noren AcousticLock hish box to quiet the G5 down. Inside a hush box the G5 is totally silent.

 

The benefits of an SSD are more related to other things besides heat and fans.

 

 

 

[rayhil]

For those that have considered the fan noise issues, can you shed any light on the fans in the Macbooks and whether their operation will change with the use of a SSD versus a spinning drive?

 

[Lars]

I have a MacBook Pro 17 with an SSD. SSD has nothing to do with the fan. The fans run at minimal speed which is about 1900-2000 when playing music. Remember, Apple sell this computer with an SSD.

 

[bixby]

My Macbook fan(s) do not come on when using itunes playing files via an external spinning drive. I cannot hear the drive spinning from the listening position which is about 8 feet away in my main system. I am using a very quiet drive however in a fanless external enclosure.

 

When using my Macbook on my desktop and about two feet way I can hear the drive spinning when playing music and not having any volume up on the monitors. Turn them or headphones on and it is not audible except for in between cuts.

 

Have not tried SSD but do not think at least they should cause any fan activation in the Macbook.

 

cheers

 

 

[Lars]

I believe the fans are always on. Use a program to see this. You just can't hear them at low normal speed.

 

[rayhil]

Bixby, although a bit off the topic, you note that you use a quiet drive in a fanless enclosure and you seem very pleased with their low noise levels. What drive and enclosure are you using.

Thanks.

 

[vortecjr]

you said, "Its been suggested that an SSD in the G5 box would reduce the heat in the G5 and thus reduce the fan speed noise."

 

Below is typical spec from a 1t hhd and a 30gb SSD and they are not that big a deal compared to the heat from a typical dual core cpu around 65 watts and lets not forget the video chip heat. Yes, a SSD will run some what cooler as you can see below, but that is not a major reason to switch to ssd in a computer audio player. The SSD have shown over and over again to sound better for other reasons more likely to be associated with increased access speeds.

 

HHD Power Dissipation

Read/Write 5.4 Watts

Idle 2.8 Watts

Standby 0.40 Watts

Sleep 0.40 Watts

 

SSD Read (Peak Watts) 1.5 Watts

Write (Peak Watts) 2.0 Watts

Sleep (Standby) watts 0.7 Watts

 

NINE fans is terrible!

 

[BobH]

I'm not normally one for calls of 'DBT', 'prove it', 'show me the science', etc etc, but there does seem to be a creeping evangelism for SSD's that bears remarkable similarities to the 'buy a Mac' mantra. With the greatest respect and in no way wishing to offend, may I suggest a gentler touch?

 

One may well be convinced that an SSD is sonically superior to a normal HD and good luck to you, says I. If it sounds good then it is good! But that is a personal opinion, NOT a fact! SSD's have been reported to offer some sonic benefits over their spinning brethren, for reasons unkown. So, IMHO, humble opinions are in order, statements of fact about SSD's superiority can surely wait for the reasons unknown to become a little clearer?

 

Oh, sorry, gotta go. Elvis has just popped in for a chat about music servers. I'll tell him to buy a Mac!

 

[pwhinson]

Nine fans may be terrible but the processor fans are the only ones that are audible to my ears and then only occasionally. When folks say SSD "sounds better" -- is that in an all SSD system? ...or would a system like mine benefit from having the OS and itunes on the internal drive (and the music library stored externally in a drobo which ain't gonna change because of the space required for these files).

 

[bixby]

Hi Rayhill

 

This is the enclosure I use

 

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/MEFW924AL1K/

 

and here is the drive I put in it since the research I did indicated it as a better quieter drive.

 

http://www.copystars.com/1tb_sata_hard_drive_1tb_87219_prd1.htm

 

you can do some research on the drive if you want, supposedly top class and quiet.......

 

Installed flawlessly

 

hope this helps.