Seti on a Mac Mini?

[TC]

I'm pondering getting a core 2 duo mac mini to replace my aging shuttle pc and wondered if anyone has loaded one with windows xp or linux and tried the seti client? I think it's passively cooled so I wonder if it can handle running a full load 24/7?

[eaglescouter]

No personal experience, but I do know that there is a mac optimized client :)

[JamesXP]

It shouldn't be a problem... Just test it out and see the temps, I seen one of those in a PC shop picked it up started wobbling it about I thought it was an external cd-drive LOL

[LandShark]

I know a few folding members are running the mac mini (CD or C2D) 24/7 with no ill effect. yes, it does get hot (like laptop temp), but I haven't hear any failure tho. also, I've heard there's a little program that let you control the system fan in the mac mini so you can crank them to full speed for 24/7 folding/crunching.

I personally thinking to get one as a kitchenPC and fold 24/7 too.

[johnjohngoose]

The problem with the Mac optimized clients is that their updates are fewer and further between. They do have decently efficient apps (they must because there's an octocore-xeon MacPro in the top 5 Seti computers), but don't expect a new app revision to appear until well after the Windows apps.

Personally, I have my iMac Core Duo running Seti 24/7 (and storing my music and digital photos) next to my Windows computer (which i use for work and gaming) and it's certainly not a large producer of credits, but it does help.

As for running it 24/7, it will do it just fine, but it will feel hot to the touch!
UNFORTUNATELY, you can't overclock them. :mad:

[eaglescouter]

The newest mac optimized client was just released a few weeks ago :)

[benbaked]

There is a program for OS X called smcFanControl (http://homepage.mac.com/holtmann/eidac/software/page5/page5.html) that will allow you to adjust the mini's system fan speed. Even with the fan at full speed it's not too loud. To my knowledge there is no such program for Windows that will allow you to adjust the fan speed, but if you dualboot OS X and Windows you can adjust the fan speed in OS X and then reboot to Windows and it will remember your fan speed setting.

I haven't tried Linux on a mac mini, but I fold one full-time on Windows and it works fine.

[TC]

I wouldn't be using the mac optimized client though since I would load windows and use an core 2 optimized client right?

[muddocktor]

Yeah, if you are running windows on it then by all means use the Core2 optimized app.

[Macaholic]

I wouldn't be using the mac optimized client though since I would load windows and use an core 2 optimized client right?

Just something to keep in mind. The current Boot Camp beta will expire on release of Leopard (10.5) next Friday (10/26/07) since Boot Camp has been incorporated into Leopard. Apple has already removed the Boot Camp beta page. Be sure you purchase a Mac mini that has Leopard installed. Some mini's can languish in the retail channel with Tiger (10.4) installed on them. Always double-check to be sure when you place your order online or pick one up from a brick and mortar store.

[LandShark]

Just something to keep in mind. The current Boot Camp beta will expire on release of Leopard (10.5) next Friday (10/26/07) since Boot Camp has been incorporated into Leopard. Apple has already removed the Boot Camp beta page. Be sure you purchase a Mac mini that has Leopard installed. Some mini's can languish in the retail channel with Tiger (10.4) installed on them. Always double-check to be sure when you place your order online or pick one up from a brick and mortar store.

does that mean bootcamp won't work after Leopard release?? or just won't get updated but will still work?? you know I have a new iMac folding in vista using bootcamp Mac! or do I still to upgarde to Leopard just in order to use bootcamp now??? (bought it when the new iMac just out, so, no $10 upgarde for me :( )

[Macaholic]

does that mean bootcamp won't work after Leopard release?? or just won't get updated but will still work?? you know I have a new iMac folding in vista using bootcamp Mac! or do I still to upgarde to Leopard just in order to use bootcamp now??? (bought it when the new iMac just out, so, no $10 upgarde for me :( )

It will still work. Obviously, just no tech support or new drivers unless you upgrade to Leopard. Read more here (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=306583) and here (http://www.apple.com/macosx/features/bootcamp.html).