How to Take the Temperature of a G4?

[Bruce_F]

When I upgraded my PowerCenter Pro with an XLR8 upgrade, it came with software to show the running temperature of the CPU.

Is there anything like that for the G4 MDD?

I have looked around a bit, but I'm coming up empty handed.

[Al]

The 7410 and I think (but not sure) previous G4 processors did not come with the temp sensor built in.  But the later chips I think it was added back in.  There for, if it was a "Nitro" (7410) there was no way to get the onboard processor temp. like the G3 chips.  Some people have tried to add an external temp. sensor, but found them to not be accurate enough.

If your G4 chip has the built in sensor then you can use a program from Newer Technologies called Guage Pro (OS 9 program located @ OWC).  For OS X there is a program called  System Manager 1.1

[Paddy]

Bruce, found this on a site with software for measuring temps:

 

quote:Motorola's MPC7450CE/D Rev 5 errata indicates "The thermal assist unit (TAU) is no longer supported on the MPC7450, MPC7451, or MPC7441.". Because of this, you will not be able to measure the junction temperature on any system with these processors. At current, this includes the "Gigabit" PowerBook G4 and the "2001 Quicksilver" G4's.

This guy purchased an add-on sensor at CompUSA:

http://www.g4noise.com/mods/mods_heat/2-measuring.html

[Bruce_F]

Thanks Al and Paddy!

I kind of figured there was no sensor to read when I ran a little utility called ThermoDock last night and got a CPU temp. reading of 30°F! (I wish)

SystemManager is pretty cool! However, the line where the CPU temp. is supposed to show says N/A.

I'm not concerned about the temperature... just curious.

Since I installed the Apple noise reduction fan kit, I've been pretty happy with the the noise level of my G4.

It started that dieseling that you may have heard about. After about a half hour in a room with an ambient temperature of say, 68°F, the fan starts a goofy sounding pulse that resembles a little engine idling.

That has been remedied!

After reading how people have modified the airflow going from the CPU fan to the heat sync, I decided to try something.

I folded a piece of cover stock so it would fit alone side the fan, where the wires go through. Then I wrapped the card across the hard drives and tucked it inside the box housing so it doesn't interfere with closing the box.

This little modification does two things:

1. It creates a funnel of air, directed at the heat sync.
2. It isolates the hard drives, away from the direct exposure to the heat sync.

Ever since that little modification, the CPU fan never goes above the low range. So... no dieseling!

[kelly]

I still say it was nice of The Leader to offer that option.  

http://www.macintouch.com/g4-2003pt03.html#apr01

xlr8yourmac on temerature.

Can't be done