thermal damage to PCI cards on MDD Macs?

If you have that top PCI slot free, you could install one of those slot fans. They're pretty common in the DIY PC world, and pretty cheap too; around $20 or less. It's unfortunate that a common installation is 3 HD cards plus a SCSI card, leaving no room for a slot fan. I think it's rather pitiful to only have 4 PCI slots on a "professional" computer. PC motherboards with 6 PCI slots are commonplace.

I just came across this and I am concerned about my new dual 1.25 MDD G4. I have 4 TDM cards in it along with 2 internal HD's and know I am beginning to worry about the inside temp. Anyone know for sure if this is a problem? I'm tempted to get rid of my noisemaking MDD G4 and going back to a Quicksilver. Apple lessened the noise but it is still unbearable! Now on top of noise I have a heat problem!

I have been thinking about putting the noisy fan/power supply back in ever since it was changed and the heat coming out the back is so much less than before. Expecially since the original noise made me move it out of the room anyway, who cares if it's noisy.

is what I just put in the top slot of my dual 867 MDD, and it's working wonderfully!

Jim, You're safe if it's out of the room anyway. I just tried placing mine in another room (limited space) and the digi interface cable (max 12') was about 2' too short. I either need the Veraz kit (if it proves to be quiet when released) or it's back to a 933 Quicksilver, which I'd rather not do unless absolutely necessary. Lee, The expansion chassis sounds like a plan but then I would still be stuck with the noise.

I'm completely mad about this G4 hairdryer thing. My DP867 runs very hot with only 1 extra WD120 and 2 HD cards. I think I'll switch to a PC. I already have 2 LE systems in PC and they work like a charm. One even has 4 monitors hooked up. And ther are 6 PCI slots and there are lots of enclosures to choose. I use rack enclosures with 2 chasis fans. Not bat at all.

Sorry to drift off topic here, and not to start a PC vs. Mac war (I work with PC's all day everyday and have contemplated switching my protools system to PC as well), but the 6 vs. 4 slot thing is really a moot point. Mac's come with firewire and Gigabit Ethernet (as well as low end sound card) built in (and have for a while). By the time you add that to a PC motherboard with six slots, you are back down to the 4 slots that the newer G4's have. Also, every G4 mac has a dual capable video card as well so that saves a slot too. Ok, now back to this heat thing, can anyone at digi verify if this is a problem or not? There sure is a lot of hot air blowing out of the back of my new G4. It is about the same amount of heat, in about the same velocity (from what I can measure with the open palm of my hand that our 1-space rack mounted Dell servers generate at work. An expansion chassis is an unacceptable option at this point. I just can't afford it and still pay for HD3 AND new G4 AND C24 AND Sonic upgrade AND Massive Pack (both by June 30, mind you) AND house AND car AND... at this point I am already contemplating the necessity of lunch