Silent / Quiet Computers: Sound levels in decibels

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Silent / Quiet Computers: Sound levels in decibels

35717 points posted to Desktops and Laptops by pchris 02/17/07 **REVIEWED**

I'd like Dell to provide the sound level in decibels for each of their desktops, under max load as well as at idle.

How a manufacturer can produce an expensive computer, and then have the user acoustic experience of that computer dominated by the noise generated by a cheap fan worth just pennies, for the entire lifetime of that computer, is incomprehensible. Computers are noisy when brand new, but those cheap fans begin to rub and oscillate and make additional annoying noises, frequently within a short period of time of purchase.

Personally, the peace and quiet of my personal workspace is very important to me, it's my sanctuary from the world where I can focus and be creative. To have that experience disrupted by cheap fans is sad, especially when slightly more expensive fans and some reasonable design would solve the issue. Another reason why I consider buying an Apple.

If the cost of a better sound design and fans is significant, it could be an extra cost option.
In general, Dell provides noise data of its products in the Environmental Datasheets. Tests are conducted according to ISO standards in a NVLAP accredited acoustics facility. Click here for more details

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macias 02/17/07	I couldn't agree more -- I really suffer from noise, external (cars, kids, dogs, you name it), but I would at least expect that my computer won't disturb me. _I THINK_. People try to make creative things, so, again, QUIET PLEASE :-)
bobetsue 02/17/07	Thank you for raising the issue of fan noise! When one buys from Dell, one has no way of knowing if the machine will be quiet. What is the point of good computer speakers if the computer makes a lot of noise? No one would ever buiy a radio or stereo that made noise. As computers become music and video entertainment centers, noise becomes an issue.
thattallguy 02/19/07	Agreed. One caveat -- there's no reason to limit this information to desktops. My laptop is my desktop and it gets used for informal presentations, etc. where noise can be an issue.
dellsupporter 02/20/07	I also agree. Most customers never consider noise when purchasing a computer. Of the last four Dells that I have ordered for friends or family, three have been very noisy (one understandably because it was a low end system).
bobcatridge 02/20/07	We need quiet PC's (all kinds). Sound levels are my second most important feature when buy a new PC.
pogson 02/20/07	In education, noise level is a problem because we have multiple computer seats in a cluster in the corner or in a lab. It is silly to install a bunch of 100 watt CPUS with all kinds of power hungry devices. The answer is the fanless thin client. There are lots on the market that run at 20 watts or even less. They can connect to a terminal server that pumps the heat and noise into a server room somewhere else. See http://ltsp.org or http://k12ltsp.org for the software to convert a regular PC with perhaps extra storage and RAM into a terminal server. One regular PC with a 64 bit processor is ideal. They can handle more than 30 simultaneous users with ease. It works because most of the usage is click/read/view/click and 1% of the CPU is all it takes. DELL should sell Linux terminal servers and thin clients for schools and businesses. In each room it might make sense to have one multimedia machine with the usual capabilities, but a classroom does not need 5 of them and a lab does not need 30.
m85476585 02/21/07	My Dimension 8400 is not that bad, but when I took out the CPU fan I was very surprised. It had a 92mmx38mm fan that can blow up to 250 CFM!!! I plugged it into a 12V power supply and it sounded like a leaf blower (and moved about as much air as one). It never went above its lowest speed in my computer, so why include such a big fan? My Inspiron 1100 is noisy when the fan kicks in, but is otherwise average. My XPS Gen 2 seems to be getting louder, and the fan is increasing speed more often than before.
daveski 02/21/07	Superb idea. I have purchased Optiplex desktops for the company I work for for a few years now, and in my experience this range is amazingly quite even under moderate to high load. The big cased machines have huge slow running fans that are quiter than the hard drives. If the consumer range is as quiet, then Dell are missing a trick not publicising the fact.
geoff_in_oz 02/21/07	This is a really important issue (and will become a real selling point with the Vista emphasis on home media use - where a quiet PC is essential). Introduce a new line of PCs: Totally quiet (or, at the very least: Extremely quiet).
stevied 02/21/07	Absolutely FANTASTIC idea. Expand the idea to include options so that we can decide if we really want to add that noisy high performance GPU.
harborsparrow 02/22/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/17/07 QUIET please! desktops are disgustingly noisy I have two Dell desktops in my living room; they sound like an air conditioner when both are on. I have them on pads of polar tec and wrapped up inside and out, have replaced disks with quieter versions, and still they are very loud. I'd pay extra for a PC that promotes quiet running in my living environment.
pdonket 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/17/07 What desktop do you have? I also can't say much here besides....things require power, powersupplies will run loud. Also, if you think your dell is loud, listen to an alienware with the a 600w PSU, THAT, is loud.
aridog 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/21/07 You want quiet in a desk top...try the Dell Precision 390. Just bought one loaded...quiet as a mouse, and extremely well ventilated.
guest_houston 02/22/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/18/07 We Need to Know Which Ones are Totally Quiet PCs With the new low power Dual Core (60 nm process, and soon to be 45nm) chips I am hoping that noise levels of computers will go down. We have the computer for our work/business, we have one for the kids, and now we need one for the living room – to run all our entertainment. But it has to be really quiet. Perhaps Dell could publicize the decibel level of the models, or just figure out which is the quietest and label that one as “the quiet PC”. I did see a note about the XPS with the “2-stage cooling”, but I’m not sure this is specifically for quietness levels. The product that needs this is a Media Center PC that connects to an XBOX 360 for television recording, music, and photos. It may not need a fast CPU, or even a high end graphics card, but it would need a big hard drive that can be quiet. Then make sure the rest of the PC can be quiet, and voila!
saoir 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/21/07 Quietness is a major factor that needs to be addressed. The physical size of tower units is not really a major issue when compared to the constant pressure to reduce laptop size. However when users are sitting in quiet rooms working on their tower PC, the noise factor is a huge factor when tiredness and irritation is Concerned. Please promote and highlight QUIETNESS as a major factor in all Tower Systems.
colin.h 02/22/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/21/07 As a convinced Linux user for the past four years, I believe Dell should invite open source software VARs to become involved with Dell's marketing. Although I use Ubuntu Linux almost exclusively today on my desktop, I realise the Linux game will always improve and many Linux distributions are yet to emerge. The latest idea that is catching on like wildfire is Linux that boots the computer from the USB pen memory. These versions of Linux will shortly be packaged by application area. The advantage for the user is that one's MS Windows is not affected by the Linux loaded in RAM and one can also save to the USB data section. So it becomes possibe to include specific open source software applications that can also be tried out without affecting the Windows set-up. They even load faster than most hard disk-based software does.. The distribution I see as being the precursor here is Mandriva 2007 flash drive package. We are working on some ideas for a project using Mandriva in Quebec City. I also believe our group would be delighted to work in promoting Dell in this sense and I'm sure many others would too. By the way I personally use a Dell PIII desktop and an Acer AMD TurionX2 powered notebook.
mahei 02/22/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/19/07 I don't want to hear a whisper! Make them silent. Use watercooling and passive heat sinks Make them silent! Get rid of those noisy fans - they fail anyhow after 2 years! Use passive heat sinks. Use water cooling. Dampen the hard disks and DVD drives.
stevied 02/22/07	Another comment from me. My current computer is placed on my desktop for ease of access, best wiring situation and to keep the computer off the floor sucking up dust and debris. The top of the computer is 2 inches below ear level and about 8" from my shoulder. Needless to say I can hear ever bump, grind and whirl that occurs in the computer. Sound levels are critical to me.
crw030 02/23/07	Offer creative cooling to address size/noise/temperature issues. Not saying this is the only option, but an example: http://www.novelconceptsinc.com/< would be nice if 1) I could watch TV over the noise of my fan, 2) My desktop could stay running at peak performance without the fan revving up to leaf-blower crescendo. 3) I didnt have to melt the skin on my leg when I was working with my laptop on my lap. Be creative, lower the noise.
kblobo 02/23/07	A solid state PC like I commented on would go along way towards resolving this issue.....
pdonket 02/23/07	Dell's aren't all that noisy. Plain and simple.
alphaben 02/24/07	This is a great idea. Also, it would be great if there was an option for noiseless coolers in the desktops. A huge number of people would pay the difference.
pdonket 02/24/07	It depends on the computer. Most computers don't make much noise at all, my laptop is quiet as ever when I'm gaming to the max. Also, what do you think they'll do for cooling thats silent, liquid cool all dell's? Thats simply stupid. I guess they could have heatsinks shooting out of every part of the computer if you'd prefer.
fxmulder 02/24/07	if you're interested at noise levels you can look at this link : http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/environment/en/prod_datas...< I agree with comments - maje this information more visible - and especially at point of need.
austinoriginal 02/24/07	My Dell is so quiet I forget that it's on and sometimes turn it off by mistake. :>( Duh.
stevied 02/24/07	Re: pdonket. I agree that Dells aren't all that noisy. In fact, nobody's computer is really "that noisy". But when the computer is literally inches from your ear, there is a bit of noise. Enough noise that the sound of the computer can drive out the noise of the HVAC system kicking on or off. And multiple computers in one room, especially a quite room, will appear even noisier. I have 6 computers in one small room. Dell's and HP's. Being in close proximity it is easy to judge each computer. And there is a very different level in the noise levels of the computers. Now, I am not going to say Dell is noisier (or quieter) than HP. I don't think the issue is brand specific. I believe most of the issue regarding noise can be directly related to the cooling fan's installed on the computers. Obviously different CPU's and GPU's have different ventilation requirements. Some fans run seemingly constantly at relatively low rpm. Other fans can be heard whirling away from time to time at fairly high rates. Smaller fans seem to run at higher rpms than a single larger fan. This issue is replicated with optical drives and hard drives, but those noises are much more intermittent. So given all of the variables in design and operation, I doubt Dell would be able to give us an absolute noise value for every computer configuration. But I would like a starting point to compare computers.
pdonket 02/24/07	Maybe Dell should put a near silent 250mm fan in the side of their case, or use the new X-clio case found on newegg. I really would love one of those. Cooled so nicely.
pieter_vsta 02/25/07	You can't hear a PC before you buy it online. Correct information about the sound levels is therefore even more important. I only bought a DELL system at home because I knew the (low) sound level from an identical system at my work.
yum7ovorpmu5 02/25/07	I bought a dell two years ago and almost returned it because it was so darn loud! Eventually I ditched the high-end video card for one without a fan. This has helped but I still wish it were even quieter. Your idea to state the decibels is great!
reg 02/26/07	www.puppylinux.org Puppy Linux is a FAST, SMALL, LIGHTWIEGHT Linux OS that fits the whole Operating System and Bunches of Applications in less than 90 MB. Running completely in RAM, and storing itself on a Flash Drive, Puppy Linux DOES NOT NEED A HARD DRIVE!!! Puppy Linux has lower computational power needs, so even a moderate ultra low power CPU works A.O.K. A low power CPU, A flash drive, and no hard drive means no fans, no heat, and NO NOISE! Perfect for a silent computer. You can download puppy linux from here: http://www.puppylinux.org/user/downloads.php?cat_id=1
fyrefly 02/26/07	Just make sure that you dont try and 'fix' the noise problem of fans by just reducing the speeds. I use my business D820 for FPS gaming and i have my fan set to full constantly, any reduction in the laptops ability to cool itself would really hurt the gamers out there. If you're going to try and make it quieter, do it by using better quality fans.
navvy 02/26/07	I don't think my Dell is noisier than other machines, but I'd like to see the max dB figures on the adverts. Especially for media-centre machines, as that is where fan and hard drive noise are most important.
stevied 02/26/07	Puppy Linux? A solution? My personal computer has dual 160mb internal HD's with an external 200mb HD. And I am a lowend user! No CPU? Great idea. Now, please tell me how Photoshop is going to operate! Obviously the Linux Fanbois have to push their products at every turn. But growup. We are discussing the level of noise that is common with 99% of the users of computers sold by Dell. Puppy Linux is not going to solve my problems, it is not going to solve the problems associated with Gaming computers, or media-center computers or common academic or business computers.
caywood 02/26/07	Hooray! I couldn't agree more. Someone's voiced one of my pet peeves about buying from an online vendor...not being able to hear it before buying. My last PC purchase was via Internet and home delivery. I'm very satisfied with the computer, but had no idea it would be this loud. There are 5 fans in there! A sound rating for each computer would be helpful, avoid surprises and encourage customers like me to buy from Dell.
henrieb 02/26/07	Quite is good. @reg, have you ever used Photoshop? Have you ever tried to do advanced editing? Yes GIMP works for some people, but not everyone.
vfwlkr 02/26/07	I would rather buy a sub-1GHz CPU, than one with a noisy fan.
glaistig 02/27/07	Passive heat disipation should be taken into account when designing new systems. Fans do not have to be noisy. Dell should require their suppliers to deliver silent fans. Case design should be evaluated for noise reduction. (The car industry has specialised firms identifying the noise and vibration sources apply it to your designs) Hard disk and dvd drives should be selected for low noise levels. Dell should define a noise benchmark and publicise the results with every configuration. (a noise calcullation program could help to estimete for the selected configuration) In our next round of Requests for Quotation we will require information on noise levels and we will use noise level as one of many selection criteria. Energy will be another one. We will apply penalties for non-conformance to declared levels.
wsfulton 02/27/07	If the fan has to come on to cool down, then it should not suddenly turn on making a sudden noise. Using a heavily damped control system where the fan slowly changes will be less intrusive. Passive heat dissipation would be the ideal though. An option to run the computer at a slower and quieter speed should be easily turned on from the OS.
citizen 02/27/07	If your PC is too noisy, you can put the box in a closet, attic, basement or garage. Use a wireless keyboard, mouse and monitor.
keithrc 02/27/07	My Dimension E510 sounds like a hair dryer when the fan ramps up due to high CPU demand. Otherwise it's almost completely silent. I would pay extra for a 'silent operation' upgrade option, I'll bet others would too, especially if the PC will be in the living area as a media center. Hiding the box in the closet is not always- or perhaps even often- a practical solution. Few peripherals are wireless, need easy DVD drive access, etc. Wireless monitor?
4dell 02/27/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/19/07 Silent PC Make every effort to produce silent (or close to silent) PCs. Several of my otherwise quite functional DELLs have the sound profile of a vacuum cleaner. They are banned from my desk and have been put in a back closet. As the PC moves in the living room anything but a silent PC will make it there. The noise profiles of my current DELLs got me close to the point of never buying a DELL again. Correct the problem and then make some BIG NOISE about it. Otherwise, the people on the way out might not hear you...
thany 02/27/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/22/07 Offer a PC that is completely noiseless, EVER. That means: - Fanless PSU - Watercooled VGA+CPU without fans, but with a large radiator - Enclose harddisks in noise dampening housings All other components that get too hot because of the lack of airflow, cool them solely with heatpipes, attached to the side of the case (which would have to be aluminum, not some cheap plastic).
jiganto 02/27/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/22/07 These would be nice to use as file servers or media center pieces.
hubfam 02/27/07	Merged Comment originally posted 02/23/07 They make one. It's called a Mac Mini!!
jweel5 02/27/07	Merged Idea originally posted 02/22/07 Create more "niche" designs like silent/quiet computers Silent/Quiet computers
pdonket 02/27/07	Just so everyone knows, suggesting the use of a mac to most is absolutely dumb. Most people don't want OSX on the computer, they want more familiar windows. Personally, I don't want a weak piece of crap that I can't upgrade, I want a beastly computer.
capslock 02/28/07	Nowadays computers are all the same, being quiet can make the difference between a good computer and a standard machine. It's also part of the ergonomics of the computer, and with some well written emails, you could get the HR types to go mad for it. If you do ever measure the sound of a computer, do so in a meaningful way: http://www.silentpcreview.com/ know something about that.
hockeyrox20120 02/28/07	ok there, the xps 710 is really crazy fast and good and it's still really quiet...listen to the macbooks... you might change your mind
bp 03/01/07	yes this idea is great ! Make some standard test procedure (where to place the micro, what applications are running, ...) and measure a min/max noise level. If the procedure is known, other website could rank against competitors or review even the procedure. A low noise computer ins't that pricey : for example a geforce 7600 gt is passively cooled without extra cost. Only the power supply and processor fan be loud... Maybe in the Dell computer store, upgrade options for better cooling fans / power supplies. Thanks in advance for this website.. all the customers idea packaged in one place, for free. Lots of brains make great ideas.
kdubber 03/01/07	I have thought of using flash drives instead of hard drives for years..they are only just now getting big enough to consider this..and NOT with industry standard programs like PhotoShop or AutoCAD.. yes I think the GIMP might replace Photoshop..but nothing replaces AutoCAD let alone 3D based Mechanical Design programs..Blender is a couple generations behind 3DMax and I have yet to see anything that does what SolidWorks or ProE does in Linux.. I want Linux..but for now I am stuck with Windows.. and HARD DRIVES.. no way around here... HOWEVER in a media center.. might make sense.. use a whole whack of flash drives.. like a jukebox.. daisy chain them and have them write back to themselves instead to another drive.. hmmm this could be an idea ..it would sure quiet down a system... In the meantime.. how about liquid cooling and some sound insulation..THESE CAN be done..so can slower but bigger fans that make less noise.. DB's can be reduced..let's see it done. Kent
pdonket 03/01/07	dell is not going to liquid cool all their PC's, thats a dumb idea. Liquid cooling is only really necessary if you have a hot OC'd system, or you have a beastly computer that creates tons of noise with all the components. Neither of those is a dell.
johann_p 03/01/07	Good idea except that the noise level should be given in Sone, not Decibels.
pdonket 03/01/07	i've never heard of a measurement such as Sone in my life....
reg 03/01/07	Samsung is going to Eat Dell's Lunch.. It's over. The real manufactures of computer chips, circuits, and sub-components are going to go Head to Head with Dell On-Line. They can undercut any price by 20% or more, - they own all the factories making all the parts, with very low overhead. The writing is on the wall. The Real manufacturers where just behind the curve when it came to marketing their products. Guess what? They caught up. Game Over Dell.
pdonket 03/02/07	samsung has barely any market share in the computer industry, so I'm not really sure what you're talking about. I don't think they even make computers....correct me if I'm wrong. Dell hasn't lost by any means at this point and still has tons of devoted customers. They're trying to appeal to us now more than ever, and I think will be doing a good job by way of this website.
spamblock 03/02/07	It's the vibrating tool-free case design, not just the fans that is the issue. I purchased a Dell E5100 and the tool-free case was a humming, buzzing, vibrating distraction. I think it was haunted. I spent literally hours of time applying tape trying to get it to stop vibrating. Finally I fixed the problem. I bought a new case. Really. This forced me to buy a new motherboard, then a new copy of Windows, so the computer I now own is only part Dell. For me to buy another Dell, I will need to see a case that is properly designed. I will pay more for it if it's an option.
taterworks 03/02/07	Somebody asked why such a large fan is used in cooling -- and couldn't Dell get away with a smaller one? The very reason such a large fan is used is so that it can spin slowly while moving the air, but it can ramp up to a higher speed (should that level of cooling become necessary). If a smaller fan was used, it would need to spin much faster to move the same air, creating a louder and higher-pitched (that is, more annoying) sound. If anything, Dell should be applauded for the measures they've taken and the initiative they've shown in using large, slow-spinning fans, thermal fan speed control, and big heatsinks to cool the computer quietly. If there's any room for improvement at all, it would be a fan controller that supports semi-passive mode, turning the fan completely off when the CPU is at idle. In conjunction with energy-efficient 65nm CPUs, it might be possible to build a machine that is completely silent at idle, instead of just very, very quiet (which is what they have now.) Then, the CPU fan would only spin up when cooling is needed, as in a laptop machine. If Dell needs other ideas about how to go about this, the web site SilentPCReview.com can suggest some. For pointers on heatsink design, take a look at the Scythe Ninja. Its wide fin spacing minimizes airflow impedance, which means that fans can push air through more effectively at slower rotation speeds.
reg 03/02/07	NEW TOTALLY SILENT COMPUTERS!
pdonket 03/02/07	I still vote for a 250mm side fan ^_^
reg 03/03/07	oh, pdonket - Samsung is the worlds largest manufacturer of RAM and Flash RAM, the supplier for all the iPod Nanos, and many, many other MP3 players. Samsung is the world's leading manufacturer of LCD screens, with the thinnest and lightest LCD panels on Earth, they make a darn nice HDTV line up too. The monitors (22" widescreen) are simply a wonder to behold. I imagine that since Samsung can manufacture mostly all of a laptop's parts, they can undercut other competition through supply optimization, removing costs layers in the vertical market. Other companies in China are doing the same, massive manufacturing efforts churning out freighter ships full of laptops and desktops - More PCs than people on earth!
mejd 03/04/07	Cool and quiet is a premium for me. I always try to buy my computers "detuned" --- i.e. a low power version or with a slower processor than standard. Lots or RAM and careful software selection makes a far greater difference in performance than GHz.
reg 03/04/07	Boot From FLASH!
junyang18 03/04/07	I also like to hear the noise of keystroke. The sound is different between a Latitude and Inspiron, let alone Desktop. I'm so used to the sound of Latitude and the first time I got my Inspiron, I was not used to it. I wish I knew this before I ordered it online.
ryan_ramsey 03/05/07	I have an XPS Gen 5 that is the loudest thing in my entire house. I would love to be able to have sound information, especially for items that go in family rooms.
reg 03/05/07	Get your Ultra Quiet Computer: HERE.
pdonket 03/05/07	Most people don't want a mac.
reg 03/05/07	Well, the Numbers Say Different: Dell Q4-2006 Results - DOWN 33%.. BusinessWeek calls Dell Turnaround 'Doubtful'. Apple Q4-2006 Results - UP 77% (That's 1.6 Million Macintosh computers, not including iPods, etc.) Compare THIS, To This. Money speaks louder than words.
pdonket 03/06/07	1.6 million computers sold by apple is still FAR under what Dell, HP, or Gateway sell, so in reality 1.6 million is somewhat puny. Dell sells something like 40 Million a year, apple cells about 6 Million, with that current increase. It is on the rise, but many people want the windows environment. And as I said, Most people still don't want a mac. Even with mac up 77% and Dell down 33%. And, to tell you the truth, I think these renovations will pull back up in the standings.
reg 03/06/07	Trends my friends, trends. How many quarters can Dell keep the lights on if last quarter was down 33%, then next quarter, and the next, and the next? Should star Dell employees wait and go down with the ship? The smart ones can already post their resumes on executive search firms. Would you want to get 'Left Behind'? The rest can upload their resumes to www.monster.com , www.careerbuilder.com , or www.vault.com why wait until it is too late? As far as consumers go, once people 'Switch to Apple' they generally don't switch back. The next machine they buy is gonna be - guess what? Another Apple. Being free from all the Windows problems is so nice, why go back? Hardware guys go for Linux - if they love open source, they can build their own box. I'll clue you in: Millions of people are waiting to place Apple orders, TODAY. They are waiting for the next revision of OS X (10.5) combined with the next revision of iLife ('07). Once Apple releases these 2 product updates, all new Apple computers come with the updated software included. Along with the Apple OS X and iLife '07 updates, Apple will revamp some of it's hardware too... The home shoppers will buy it when it comes out. The professionals will wait 3 months after the patches and updates are made available. The major Apple workcenters will wait for the updated 3rd party products from Adobe, etc. - to make sure the work still is getting done. Oh, and Apple iPods work seemlessly with your new Macintosh. No Windows Vista errors to worry about.
pdonket 03/07/07	But there are significant differences between Macs and PC's, I wouldn't ever trade my PC in for a mac, I don't want a fruffi little overpriced thing that can only play a couple games and go on the internet, and do photoshop type tasks. Now, I'm gonna say that most of the population has no idea the good parts of OS x 10.5, or iLife, I don't know either myself and I'm into computers and technology quite a bit. Most of this nation is not tech savvy in any respect, most you can ask what RAM is and they would answer with what type of animal that is. I know what you're saying, but I think there is still a giant market of people who don't want a mac at all, they never want to change from a windows type environment. I also agree that trends are trends and that Dell's computer could end within the next year if they don't fix the problems they are facing. However, with the sudden introduction of this, some peoples ideas will be heard (not the regular PC user). Last but not least, I don't think I'd ever buy an iPod in my life, my friends have had so many of them and they would constantly be in a state of needing repair. All of them switched over to creative.
coopersecurity 03/10/07	I gotta tell you all, my Optiplex 210L computers are so quiet, that I forget they are even on, till I realize I'm typing away on a report. The only problem I have found with noise is the Lite-On CD drives that come installed. I know that Lite-On is a great brand, and are a good price for people on a budget, but they are very noisy when in reading a CD. I know that a noisy CD drive isn’t very important in a business environment, but if these same drives are used in home theater computers, then watching a DVD on them will become very annoying when the drive is running at full speed the whole time.
tomd 03/10/07	Some Dells are quiet. My wife's XPS410 is whisper quiet. The real key is how to get that story out to buyers. Quoting Decibel sound numbers is so inexact. The CPU load, desktop arrangement, even internal options can make a big difference in sound. The other thing is noise is percieved very differently by people, a sound that is innocous to me may drive you crazy. You may want to diss Apple, but they get User Experience right. Customer Support, maybe not. Their new systems run XP just as well as any Dell. They have a machine for low, mid and high end market segments. And they make money on them. I have two Apple systems, a G4 Cube and a MDD. I also have Precision and Latitude laptops. The Cube is convection cooled. It's also very limited in expansion, and fragile thermally. I dont see Dell ever making a machine like it. The MDD is the last G4 tower, it's a well designed, but heavy machine. It's also loud when you get it busy. The G5 on the otherhand is a very quiet machine, Apple spent a lot of time engineering the G5. They've kept the design for the Intel Macs. Unfortunately for Dell, I'm sure Apple has a ton of patents covering the thermal and noise reduction design. That's really the crux of things for Dell, if they want to lead, they are going to have to put more money into R&D and start innovating their own designs instead of waiting for 3rd parties to design for them.
oneeyedelf1 03/12/07	I voted for this one, but I have to say I recommend Dells to people because they are quiet. They very quiet considering the price people pay. I don't know about other companies, I do know compared to a few computer I have built myself, and would love for your company to continue to support quiet computers.
fluke 03/14/07	Disclosing the decibel would do a lot in helping me reconsider buying a Dell in the future. But in addition to decibel levels brand new for max load and idle load, I would also need to know the maximum permitted decibel level that is considered a non-warranty issue. I had a Dell that was reasonably quiet for the first two years of use and then the barings on the hard drive started going bad resulting in a continual high pitch and high volume squealing noise (as in it could still be heard when using a vacuum cleaner!) I was told by technical support since the hard drive was still "functioning" that under Dell policy they could do nothing. At first I thought he was joking when he claimed it was still a "perfectly functional Dell" but when I figured out it wasn't a joke I then complained that the "premium" sound card/speaker package I purchased could not be heard. He re-iterated that it was still a perfectly functional Dell if the hard drive could read/write and that the sound card was probably still working withen Dell's acceptable specs as well. It was shortly after that when I wrote Dell "warranty" as being written on toilet paper. Unless a RMA decibel level is provided in writting, the initial expected decibel levels of a brand new system is worthless since it will change over time. Otherwise, you may find that the decibel levels claimed on the web site only apply to the first 30 days and then go out the window much like the rest of Dell's "warranty."
fishor 03/15/07	I would love to be able to have sound information!
taterworks 03/16/07	Making matters difficult is the fact that Dell's cooling systems are thermally controlled. They would need to provide two numbers -- one for 'idle' operation, and one for 'load' operation, because when the system is loaded (and producing more heat), the fans/blowers ramp up in speed. So, let's be sure to have both 'idle' and 'load' noise figures supplied.
reg 03/19/07	Silent Computers Boot In Seconds From Flash Drives
gordongraham 03/21/07	Oh man, I thought it was just me?! I hate the noise that comes from my Dells. I would happily pay another $10 or whatever for a "quiet fan" option. I use my Dell in my home office where I have to concentrate. Having a constant whirring in my ears is not great.
kdubber 03/21/07	Although I have had little trouble with the Dells that I have used in the noise department I agree it could be helped immensely.. using 'SONES' to measure? For one most haven't heard of sone let alone know what it means..kind of like giving temps in celsius in the states and in fahrenheit elsewhere..everyone just says 'HUH'?? So in DB's for sure but some sort of industry standard would be needed..or an independent tester..and NOT those crazies over at Consumer Reports..use someone that knows computers! Like PC magazine or someone.. I mean think about it how can the HONDA ACCORD be the best car in the world year after year..there is HUGE bias at CU..
bamorrow 03/22/07	After some very bad experiences with getting new systems that the users will not use because of noise (an buying MANY third party cooling to silence them) we are starting to require the vendors to provide decibel levels of a fully loaded(read under stress test) system. If more people would do this, then more vendors might start putting then in their specs.
caderik 03/29/07	Dell should really do that... It is why at work I keep asking for dell computers... they are QUIET.
nabbla 04/08/07	Low noise is the single most important feature for me when buying a new laptop. About Sone, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sone. The problem with decibels is that it's logarithmic so 50 decibels isn't twice as loud as 25 (but much more). Both sone and decibels should be given.
tsphoenix 04/19/07	While the most technical, for home buyers (most likely to care about noise levels) dB isn't the best metric, how about measuring what distance it would make negligible noise from?
reg 04/20/07	IF you want the WORST computer ever built by the hands of men: Apple G4 Power Macintosh. These things sound like a vacuum cleaner running on high. It was so very, very bad - Apple had to give away thousands of smaller power supplies to customers, and still - it sounds like a vacuum cleaner - running on normal. It had a great built in speaker - that nobody could hear, because the fans were so loud. The Power Mac G4 was so freaking loud - it would give mac users headaches. Loudest desktop computer - Ever ! = The new Apple iCantHearYou - Macs make too much noise !
drkoontz 04/20/07	I just bought the XPS 710 and at least to my ears it is very quiet. Compared to the last few computers I have have owned this computers just has a very mild purr from it's fans. The fans are load and heat regulated and I have yet to hear them gear up under load. At this point I am very happy with the quietness of the overall system I have bought from dell.
jtome 04/20/07	I just started up another tread saying the same thing. I've actually had clients over my house to work on a video. I had to record audio for the video and animation and my Dell PC was making SO MUCH NOISE at the time I had to turn my computer off and let it cool down. Turn on my AC and then power on the system again. Apple has a MUCH better stance on acoustic experience what is acceptable and what is not. Many Dell systems would fail Apple's test. Dell should publicize the decibel level of all of their computers laptop, desktop and server. I have a Dell XPS system and at times it can be incredibly noisy to the point it should like you have a vacume cleaner beside you. At times I've felt like throwing it out the window and buying a Mac. Maybe when more and more people buy Mac Pro systems and install paraleel's desktop on their Mac to run Windows as well Dell will wake up.
bnfb 04/20/07	Please, please - I'd pay more to be able to buy a pre-built quiet/silent computer. Right now I have to buy one and then spend hours and hours retrofitting all the quiet stuff into it.
premcv 04/20/07	OH? @bnfb: What retrofitting _all the quiet stuff_ are you talking about?
gnu 04/20/07	I just bought an HP dc5750 because it was spec'd (and reviewed) as very quiet. And because I could buy it without paying the Microsoft Tax. I liked it enough that I bought a second one a month later (despite a trying customer service experience with HP). It offered cheap options for an Energy Star 80% efficient power supply (reduced heat = reduced fan noise -- plus lower power bills and less fossil fuel burned), a 35-watt CPU chip (a specialized AMD Athlon64 X2-3800+ (again reduced heat; the standard chip maxes out at 65W). It has big fans that always run slowly (you can turn them up in the Setup screen if you want to hear how loud they can get). I never found a Dell product that was spec'd to use little energy, produce little heat, and make little noise (and run Linux) -- which is why I bought from HP. And for the prior commenters who said their older Dells' fans are getting noisier -- it may be because the inside is starting to fill with dust, and the fan is speeding up to compensate for the reduced airflow. Try turning it off and vacuuming it out gently (or blowing the dust out of it with an air compressor if you have one handy), and see if that reduces the fan noise. Dell -- have you considered making fans that will occasionally stop and then REVERSE at high speed, briefly, to blow the dust out? Maybe once a month, or just when you power it on? Then stop the fan again, and go back to normal operation. It wouldn't be rocket science, just engineering. This might allow the device to run a lot longer, and stay quieter, between manual cleanings. (I'm sure the Linux community can write reversible fan driver software for you, if you provide the hardware that can do it.)
premcv 04/20/07	Right you are, gnu! Also some of the BIOSs have a feature about changing the HDD Acoustic Mode, I know that some Dell models do too. The HDDs are also known to emit noise, depending on the type of noise you hear, though.
mdh 04/20/07	This is a really neat idea, unfortunately it may be less possible than logic would seemingly dictate. Since a large vendor such as Dell often uses fans and other noise-generating components from a variety of OEMs, some with minor differences, providing a figure that is correct for every system produced on a given model line may not be realistic. Still, a cool idea.
dropzone 04/20/07	I had to register just to address the unbelievable amount of BALONEY being cranked out in here about Apple’s stuff! WOW! Some people in here are either biased in the most ugly way, or ignorant beyond belief, or very sadly myopic in their observations of computers in general. “Pdonket”: You’re right in saying that most people don’t want OS X, and unfortunately it is that unfamiliarity you cite that keeps them from understanding the Mac platform as being a viable option to Windows in most – not all -- scenarios. My point is, however, that ignorance does not make them right. The only thing “dumb” about suggesting a Mac is how dumb is the person it’s being suggested to? I have always said that the Mac platform is more right for more people than they realize, and you’d be hard pressed to dispute it. Unfortunately, any rationality you may have displayed with your first observation was completely obliterated by your second one: “a weak piece of crap”? Nonsense! Industry standard components – including the same Intel CPUs DELL SELLS. Macs are excellent performers, as able as most PCs out there. Upgradability? Yes, most of Apple’s form factors are not inviting to upgrades. I wonder why that is? Well, I would say that the reality out there is that most AVERAGE people do not upgrade their PCs, anyway. I’m not talking about people such as yourself or others here that hang out in some dweeb forum (As I do as well – not calling anybody down, just calling us for what we are). Average people just want their computers to WORK so they can get their jobs done. The vast majority of people have no concept of BIOS, overclocking or dealing with – or even knowing about – the Registry. If you took on a broader view beyond your own needs or interests you would see this. As for marketshare? Apple just needs to do what they’ve been doing: running their OWN race. Despite Apple’s consistently rising sales, there’s no way I can see that Windows will ever fall from the #1 position (nor do I care that this happens, btw), but a diminished marketshare is definitely happening. If the Mac platform and Linux (even MORE challenging than OS X for the average person to grasp) can amass 20-25% percent between them over the next decade, guess what? This will make the OVERALL computing world a better place. There is strength in diversity. And then, pdonket, your ridiculous post about “a fruffi little overpriced thing that can only play a couple games and go on the internet, and do photoshop type tasks” is so ignorant and dated it’s not even funny. There is and for the most part always has been a diverse body of software for the Mac, from business (Office/Mac, Outlook Exchange Server compatibility, Filemaker Pro, 4th Dimension, Quickbooks, Citrix clients, Novel software and on and on) to niche business software for uses such as professional practices (doctors, lawyers, etc.) to scientific software and on and on and on. And of course there are all the best of breed media creation apps, both professional AND consumer, available. iLife is unsurpassed in the Windows world of media creation suites and would cost many hundreds of dollars to assemble and it wouldn't work nearly as good.. And these, I must clarify, are native Mac OS compatible applications. I invite you to peruse Apple’s software and peripheral databases to see the (dare I say) surprising range of uses possible on a Mac: http://guide.apple.com/ In fact, try telling me what you CAN’T do with a Mac after having checked out some of the categories at that site. There are some – I know some of them – but feel free to impress us with a little more knowledge and A LOT LESS supposition. Even for any holes there may be here and there (like if one needs MS Access in particular), most such programs can be run on a Mac thanks to either Apple’s dual-boot “Bootcamp” or run in a “Parallels” virtualization. These days, Mac users enjoy the best of ALL worlds… if they even need or want it in the first place.
dropzone 04/20/07	Now, on to “Reg”. The G4 tower the worst computer ever built?? WRONG! The WORST computer ever built probably has to be Apple’s Performa 5200 from the early 1995 (http://www.lowendmac.com/ppc/5200.shtml ). Now THAT machine was a hobbled, poorly constructed POS. The “cheesgrater” Powermac you cite was indeed loud, and Apple had to replace some fan assemblies to quiet them down, but at this system’s time (2002), it was a nice, fast system. Plus, it was very expandable, with two optical bays, four internal drive bays, four PCI and a 4X AGP. But, the problem with you bringing up the Cheesegrater G4, Reg, is that IT’S IRRELEVANT. This machine was terminated in mid 2003 to make way for the G5 Powermac; an excellent example of hardware design, QUIET as a whisper. iMacs have always been very quiet sine their birth, and Every Mac available since the G5 has been extremely quiet as well. WHY?? I’ll tell ya why: NINE FANS, co-ordinated for low rpm air induction. Gee. How did THAT happen?? It happened because, unlike Dell’s dime-a-dozen commodity mindset, Apple puts a tremendous amount of effort and insight into both their hardware and software/OS technologies. This is something “alien“ (oops! Pardon THAT pun) to Dell, so much so that they have to go out and “embrace and extinguish” another company’s creativity. Or, even more pathetically, create this very forum as a plea for creative ideas from the general population in an effort stave off their decline. Note to Dell: not a great idea. Market research is one thing, but this whole “Ideastorm” effort is a BAD idea. So, be FAIR, Reg. Demonstrate some objectivity and try not to paint all of Apple with one tarbrush. This is just too easy and lazy to do, is untruthful and frankly can be done unfairly to ANY company including Dell. In closing, there is A LOT MORE to the Apple platform than many self-proclaimed PC geeks realize. So many of you make me lol because, despite your declaration of being hairy-chested ubergeeks… you can’t seem to get past the superficial skin of an Apple computer! Using a Mac is NOT about pretty boxes; it is about using a system that is orchestrated from the ground up to serve the user better than a Windows system, day in and day out. Month and year in and out. That vertical integration some PC geeks complain about is ironically Apple’s greatest strength. Surprisingly, other companies are starting to see that. “PlaysForSure”, anybody? Well, no. While still not KILLED by Microsoft, it is clearly a failure in light of the 100,000,000 iPods sold (as are Dells now dead players), and it’s failure is further intensified by the fact that MS eschewed PlaysForSure for their Zn marketplace. Hmm… Zune Marketplace--> Zune player. Vertically integrated in the hopes that it works better than PlaysForSure. I wonder where they got THAT idea?? But I digress. Forgive me for this, but Mac OS X can be considered the Holy Grail of OSes. It’s the power of UNIX (and I have NEVER heard a geek diss UNIX or its offspring Linux as being “weak”), melded with a consistent, refined, rock-solid GUI shell that – unlike Windows – tries its best to stay THE HELL out of your face. From a geek perspective, what’s not to love?? If PC geeks were indeed as tech-aware as they SAY they are, they would be more AWARE of other computing platforms like the Mac. And, if they took a more intelligent and open-minded view, they might see that their beliefs are NOT indicative of the masses out there. Most people can barely change their printer cartridge, let alone WANT to know how to clean their Windows Registry or pry a Trojan out of their system. They just want a system they can depend on to get the job DONE. Macs – despite all ignorance relating to them – can do just that.
jtome 04/20/07	Well said dropzone. I'm actually saving up to buy a Mac Pro and I'm planning on installing Parallel's Desktop on it to run windows on the Mac as well. For those of you who do not know what this is, Parallel's Desktop is a program for the Mac that will allow you to install Windows on your Mac and run the PC OS at the same time as you are running your Mac without requioring you to boot into another OS at startup. This would allow you to run any Mac software you need, jump to the PC side to run PC only software you need for your business and be more productive without requioring you to buy both a Mac and PC. http://www.parallels.com/en/products/desktop/
q-space 04/21/07	I've been using Dell Precision machines for around 10 years now, on each iteration the amount of noise has increased. On my previous 670 the cooling wasn't adequate for a 15k SCSI disc array, the discs would run at silly temps, yet older generation machines like the 620 had no problem at all AND were quiet. It is part of Apple's image to make machines that are quiet, they sit under the desks of artists and musicians - the first people to moan if they buy a re-badged tornado. I try to get around the problem by putting the machine under my desk, I can't hear it, plus the air is cooler at ground level. You could try bigger heatsinks and fans, run the fans at low speeds and switch them off when they're not needed? Apparently we're getting HP's now, I don't know if they're any quieter, I could always get a MacPro, which thanks to Intel, now has Virtualization Acceleration so we can run OSX and WinXP together - woohoo. I think I'd rather have a Mac than an HP...
dropzone 04/22/07	Thanks, jtome. I just couldn't allow all this ignorance to continue unchecked! You know, when I'm talking to any Windows users interested in switching, and we're talking about any of the drawbacks to the Mac platform, I usually tell them that "The biggest problem with using a Mac IS TELLING OTHER PEOPLE YOU USE A MAC!" I'd say that the very common level of ignorance displayed within these forums is a testament to this.
jtome 04/22/07	dropzone, In another posting people are complaining about the crapware installed on a new Dell PC and that they are willing to spend $200-400 more not to have this junk instalkled on their computer. I told them that just speak to a Dell rep while ordering your new PC, and tell that that you do not want any bloatware/crapware installed on your new computer and that if it comes with it anyway ship it back to Dell at Dell's expense. My Dell XPS system used to be quiet, and recently it's making a lot of noise I have to buy a "VANTEC SPECTRUM FAN CARD". I suggest people look into this. I use both PC's and Mac computers and am planning on buying a Mac Pro and install Paralell's Desktop on it and XP Pro/Vista to run PC only apps. VANTEC SPECTRUM FAN http://www.vantecusa.com/product-cooling.html# found under System Cooler Fan Card.
dropzone 04/22/07	jtome, your post reveals the ugly underbelly of Microsoft, the OEMs and software partners. They believe that the hard drive purchased by the consumer -- and onwards to the desktop and even that person's bloody IE toolbar -- is their personal playground for advertising and manipulation. Frankly, I think that's AN INSULT to the consumer. Also, the fact that people here are suggesting that they would pay MORE for a better, more quiet fan only vindicates the purchasing priorities of Mac users. I have always been amazed that average people will scrounge around for the absolute cheapest system that they buy and toss into their car trunk ON ONE DAY... and yet, are faced with the negative consequences of a poor decision all the rest of their days using that PC. They are so blind to the TCO factor and paying for the benefits of a QUALITY computing environment that their ignorance borders on dysfunction. Like, do all people willingly look for the cheapest pants, car watch or food to buy? No! There's Kia autos, but then there are also Lexus... or even down a price peg to a Honda. There's Wal Mart, but there is also target and Old Navy. There's McDonalds, but there's also many chains of mid-scale restaurants that serve higher quality food. Most supermarket chains have cheaper in-house brands but I don't see the national brands hurting from it. People seem able to make qualitative distinctions about such things... but for a computer?? All rationale goes OUT the Windows (pardon the pun). And, by "environment", I just don't mean the hardware. An Intel-powered Macintosh is NOT a Mac when it's booted into Windows or Linux, and Apple's highest-order philosophies that guide their software engineering, end-user interface and not to mention best-of-breed applications are non existent within those OS environments. People base their decisions on hardware and don't give the more crucial element of the operating system and developer tools for the platform a second yet alone first thought. And yet, the cruel irony that it is not the hardware that boots into their face every time they turn on the computer; it's the OS and software. Hopefully for their own benefit, more and more people will GET THIS.
premcv 04/23/07	interesting thoughts, dropzone.
reg 04/24/07	dropzone - for Macs, the G4 mentioned above, I think was the very loudest Mac Apple ever built. Macs are noisy.

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