Mac Pro Power Supply questions

Can it be replaced with an ATX type power supply?
The New guy wrote on :
Does anybody know where to find a used one? Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it? Can it be replaced with an ATX type power supply? The Mac Pro uses a server type motherboard made by Intel so you wouldn't think this would be difficult......but....:)
Mike Rosenberg replied on :

The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Does anybody know where to find a used one?

Google.com

Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it?

Google.com

George Kerby replied on :

On 3/23/08 9:56 AM, in article noemailhere-0ED0FD.09562023032008@redacted.invalid, "The New guy" noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Does anybody know where to find a used one? Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it? Can it be replaced with an ATX type power supply? The Mac Pro uses a server type motherboard made by Intel so you wouldn't think this would be difficult......but....:) I got mine on eBay. Check out exactly which one you need, tho.. http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-MAC-250-SWITCHING-POWER-SUPPLY-250W-1679_W0QQitemZ11 0217973799QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3670QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118 .l1247QQcmdZViewItem

Jolly Roger replied on :

In article noemailhere-0ED0FD.09562023032008@redacted.invalid, The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Does anybody know where to find a used one?

Other than eBay or Google?

Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it?

Other than crackingit open and looking? No.

Can it be replaced with an ATX type power supply?

I doubt it. Apple routinely cutomizes their power supplies, deviating from the ATX standard substantially.

The Mac Pro uses a server type motherboard made by Intel so you wouldn't think this would be difficult......but....:)

While Apple works closely with Intel to design their hardware, in the end, Apple designs the hardware - Intel just helps.

billy replied on :

Jolly Roger jollyroger@redacted.invalid writes:

The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Does anybody know where to find a used one?

Other than eBay or Google?

Just in case you'd go for a new one (US$300) -

http://www.welovemacs.com/6614001.html

The Mac Pro is still fairly new, so used may be hard to find, or cost about as much...

Billy Y..

Mike Rosenberg replied on :

billy@redacted.invalid wrote:

Other than eBay or Google?

Just in case you'd go for a new one (US$300) -

http://www.welovemacs.com/6614001.html

Which, BTW, I turned up, too, using Google.

The New guy replied on :

In article 1ie95lx.13likqs2hdk37N%mikePOST@redacted.invalid, mikePOST@redacted.invalid (Mike Rosenberg) wrote:

The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Does anybody know where to find a used one?

Google.com

Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it?

Google.com

I tried Google - went to about 50 sites. Nothing turned up. Couldn't find a single seller or specs anywhere. Same on Ebay. The Ebay link posted by another has been removed....just my luck! :) Not an easy thing to research. Since its a server board you'd think it couldn't be that difficult to power.

The New guy replied on :

In article C40BE6E6.498E4%ghost_topper@redacted.invalid, George Kerby ghost_topper@redacted.invalid wrote:

On 3/23/08 9:56 AM, in article noemailhere-0ED0FD.09562023032008@redacted.invalid, "The New guy" noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Does anybody know where to find a used one? Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it? Can it be replaced with an ATX type power supply? The Mac Pro uses a server type motherboard made by Intel so you wouldn't think this would be difficult......but....:) I got mine on eBay. Check out exactly which one you need, tho.. http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-MAC-250-SWITCHING-POWER-SUPPLY-250W-1679_W0QQitemZ11 0217973799QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3670QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118 .l1247QQcmdZViewItem

Removed. :(

Mike Rosenberg replied on :

The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

I tried Google - went to about 50 sites. Nothing turned up. Couldn't find a single seller or specs anywhere.

Huh. I Googled "Mac Pro power suplly" before I posted earlier, since I don't make it a point of telling people to Google for information I know they won't find that way. I found several vendors. I can't recall whether they were selling new or used items, but they included the specs.

Same on Ebay. The Ebay link posted by another has been removed....just my luck! :) Not an easy thing to research.

Huh? I just tried it and it works. Don't get excited, though, because it's for a Pro-Mac (as in a brand name or manufacturer) power supply, not a Mac Pro. Here it is so you can see for yourself, though:

http://preview.tinyurl.com/2km85m

Since its a server board you'd think it couldn't be that difficult to power.

I have no idea what that's supposed to mean.

Andy replied on :

In article noemailhere-0ED0FD.09562023032008@redacted.invalid, The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Does anybody know where to find a used one? Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it? Can it be replaced with an ATX type power supply? The Mac Pro uses a server type motherboard made by Intel so you wouldn't think this would be difficult......but....:)

No Applecare on a Mac Pro?

A.

The New guy replied on :

I tried Google - went to about 50 sites. Nothing turned up. Couldn't find a single seller or specs anywhere.

Huh. I Googled "Mac Pro power supply" before I posted earlier,

Well that would have given you almost nothing relevant. However if you had used "mac pro" "power supply" it might help a bit. I tried again adding "replacement" "-g4" "-powermac" to filter out the irrelevant hits and still came up with nothing. Its not easy - as I originally said.

since I don't make it a point of telling people to Google for information I know they won't find that way. I found several vendors. I can't recall whether they were selling new or used items, but they included the specs.

Where? I've just been to several more sites and there is nothing useful. By "specs" I don't mean the power consumption or voltage outputs. Specs means what are the exact voltage and current ratings on all of the power supplies' outputs. Once I know that, I might be able to use an ATX power supply to power the beast.

Apple wants $300 - which is pretty ridiculous.

Same on Ebay. The Ebay link posted by another has been removed....just my luck! :) Not an easy thing to research.

Huh? I just tried it and it works. Don't get excited, though, because it's for a Pro-Mac (as in a brand name or manufacturer) power supply, not a Mac Pro. Here it is so you can see for yourself, though: http://preview.tinyurl.com/2km85m

Yep - another PC power supply.

Since its a server board you'd think it couldn't be that difficult to power.

I have no idea what that's supposed to mean.

Well the Mac Pro motherboard is much like a server motherboard. Servers tend to use ECC FB-Dimms, Xeon processors (often in a dual configuration like the Mac Pro) and are not the traditional dimensions of 9.5" x 12" of a regular motherboard.

Lewis replied on :

y The noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article 1ie95lx.13likqs2hdk37N%mikePOST@redacted.invalid, mikePOST@redacted.invalid (Mike Rosenberg) wrote:

The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Does anybody know where to find a used one?

Google.com

Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it?

Google.com

I tried Google - went to about 50 sites. Nothing turned up.

You need to google better.

http://www.google.com/products?q=macPro+power+supply&btnG=Search+Products

http://snurl.com/22gyl

George Kerby replied on :

On 3/23/08 5:50 PM, in article noemailhere-CE72F2.17501423032008@redacted.invalid, "The New guy" noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article C40BE6E6.498E4%ghost_topper@redacted.invalid, George Kerby ghost_topper@redacted.invalid wrote:

On 3/23/08 9:56 AM, in article noemailhere-0ED0FD.09562023032008@redacted.invalid, "The New guy" noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Does anybody know where to find a used one? Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it? Can it be replaced with an ATX type power supply? The Mac Pro uses a server type motherboard made by Intel so you wouldn't think this would be difficult......but....:) I got mine on eBay. Check out exactly which one you need, tho.. http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-MAC-250-SWITCHING-POWER-SUPPLY-250W-1679_W0QQitemZ11 0217973799QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3670QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118 .l1247QQcmdZViewItem

Removed. :( There are several listed. Just go to eBay and put "Mac Power Supply" in the search field.

George Kerby replied on :

On 3/23/08 6:07 PM, in article 1ie9rb8.v6b2tbqsm3sxN%mikePOST@redacted.invalid, "Mike Rosenberg" mikePOST@redacted.invalid wrote:

The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

I tried Google - went to about 50 sites. Nothing turned up. Couldn't find a single seller or specs anywhere.

Huh. I Googled "Mac Pro power suplly" before I posted earlier, since I don't make it a point of telling people to Google for information I know they won't find that way. I found several vendors. I can't recall whether they were selling new or used items, but they included the specs.

Same on Ebay. The Ebay link posted by another has been removed....just my luck! :) Not an easy thing to research.

Huh? I just tried it and it works. Don't get excited, though, because it's for a Pro-Mac (as in a brand name or manufacturer) power supply, not a Mac Pro. Here it is so you can see for yourself, though:

Opps! My bad. But they are there. He just needs to open the computer and get the correct make and model #.

http://preview.tinyurl.com/2km85m

Since its a server board you'd think it couldn't be that difficult to power.

I have no idea what that's supposed to mean.

The New guy replied on :

Does anybody know where to find a used one? Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it? Can it be replaced with an ATX type power supply? The Mac Pro uses a server type motherboard made by Intel so you wouldn't think this would be difficult......but....:)

I got mine on eBay. Check out exactly which one you need, tho.. http://cgi.ebay.com/PRO-MAC-250-SWITCHING-POWER-SUPPLY-250W-1679_W0QQitemZ110217973799QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3670QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQ_trksidZp1638.m118.l1247QQcmdZViewItem

This is not for a Mac Pro. Its just a cheapo PC power supply. Its called Pro-Mac. Nothing to do with Apple at all.

There are several listed. Just go to eBay and put "Mac Power Supply" in the search field.

Really? Show me one! :) I'd love to read about it. I'm sure others would to.

The New guy replied on :

Does anybody know where to find a used one? Does anybody know how I can find the specs on it? I tried Google - went to about 50 sites. Nothing turned up.

You need to google better. http://www.google.com/products?q=macPro+power+supply&btnG=Search+Products http://snurl.com/22gyl

Neither site had anything relevant. Anybody can go to Apple and plop down $300 for the real deal. I'm looking for a used one and the specs on it.

You see? Not such an easy little search project after all! :)

Andy replied on :

In article noemailhere-8EBD04.10370524032008@redacted.invalid, The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Neither site had anything relevant. Anybody can go to Apple and plop down $300 for the real deal. I'm looking for a used one and the specs on it.

You see? Not such an easy little search project after all! :)

Do you really expect there to be a wealth of dead Mac Pros being parted out on eBay?

The cause of the dead PSU wasn't you fucking around installing extra fans, was it?

A.

George Kerby replied on :

On 3/25/08 2:54 AM, in article no-3AADED.18541025032008@redacted.invalid, "Andy" no@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article noemailhere-8EBD04.10370524032008@redacted.invalid, The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Neither site had anything relevant. Anybody can go to Apple and plop down $300 for the real deal. I'm looking for a used one and the specs on it.

You see? Not such an easy little search project after all! :)

Do you really expect there to be a wealth of dead Mac Pros being parted out on eBay?

The cause of the dead PSU wasn't you fucking around installing extra fans, was it?

A. Most likely, knowing who it is...

Jolly Roger replied on :

In article no-3AADED.18541025032008@redacted.invalid, Andy no@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article noemailhere-8EBD04.10370524032008@redacted.invalid, The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Neither site had anything relevant. Anybody can go to Apple and plop down $300 for the real deal. I'm looking for a used one and the specs on it.

You see? Not such an easy little search project after all! :)

Do you really expect there to be a wealth of dead Mac Pros being parted out on eBay?

The cause of the dead PSU wasn't you fucking around installing extra fans, was it?

Good question. Tell us the juicy details, The New Guy!!!

The New guy replied on :

In article jollyroger-F81089.09505425032008@redacted.invalid, Jolly Roger jollyroger@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article no-3AADED.18541025032008@redacted.invalid, Andy no@redacted.invalid wrote:

In article noemailhere-8EBD04.10370524032008@redacted.invalid, The New guy noemailhere@redacted.invalid wrote:

Neither site had anything relevant. Anybody can go to Apple and plop down $300 for the real deal. I'm looking for a used one and the specs on it.

You see? Not such an easy little search project after all! :)

Do you really expect there to be a wealth of dead Mac Pros being parted out on eBay?

The cause of the dead PSU wasn't you installing extra fans, was it?

Good question. Tell us the juicy details, The New Guy!!!

Lol....no I wasn't installing extra fans. Just purely information gathering. If one can get a Mac Pro motherboard ($480 now) the additional headaches are the memory riser cards (around $90 each from most places) and the power supply. Everything else that I can think of is pretty generic. One needs to know the voltages that the motherboard needs so it can be replicated by another (perhaps modified) power supply. Xeon CPU's can be easily sourced used I think. FB-Dimms are far cheaper now than even a year ago. Everything else is easy. I won't be using the Mac Pro case of course. My design, while being perhaps quite hideous, will muffle 4 x Raid 0 10k drives plus other Sata and firewire drives as well as the 2 x DVD burners, while keeping everything very, very cool. Brains before beauty, right? :)

But right now the power supply has me quite stumped. Used prices for the cheapest Mac Pro's still seem over $1500. So piecing things together will save a bundle. Plus it will be a lot cooler and quieter.
If one could score a used power supply for even $150 it would be tempting but really its just voltages and amperages. Shouldn't be so difficult to modify an existing one.