Noise Levels for Dell Desktops

Hi All,

I'm considering buying a new computer, probably Dell Dimension 4600 or 8400.
Does anyone have info or opinions on the noise level of these models,
compared to other Dell models or other manufacturers like Sony, Gateway, or
HP? Is there a website with noise ratings for computers?

Thanx,
Key Bored

"Key Bored" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I'm considering buying a new computer, probably Dell Dimension 4600 or
8400. Does anyone have info or opinions on the noise level of these
models, compared to other Dell models or other manufacturers like Sony,
Gateway, or HP? Is there a website with noise ratings for computers?

Thanx,
Key Bored

My 4600 was whisper quiet when I first bought but within a month it was a
leaf blower. Apparently it was common at the time but don't know if they've
fixed it or not.

"Ricky W. Hunt" wrote:

"Key Bored" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I'm considering buying a new computer, probably Dell Dimension 4600 or
8400. Does anyone have info or opinions on the noise level of these
models, compared to other Dell models or other manufacturers like Sony,
Gateway, or HP? Is there a website with noise ratings for computers?

Thanx,
Key Bored

My 4600 was whisper quiet when I first bought but within a month it was a
leaf blower. Apparently it was common at the time but don't know if they've
fixed it or not.

My Dimension 8300 is super noisy, particularly when it's a little warm
out. I can hear in the next room! I have to turn it off at time when I am
not using it because it is so loud at times.

It has the 3.0MHz and ATI Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB and the combination is
loud!
************************************************** ****
Charliec

"Key Bored" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I'm considering buying a new computer, probably Dell Dimension 4600 or
8400. Does anyone have info or opinions on the noise level of these
models, compared to other Dell models or other manufacturers like Sony,
Gateway, or HP? Is there a website with noise ratings for computers?

My 8200 is very quiet. Most noise comes from cheap fans or loose/vibrating
fan shroud (covering around the fan). Dell replaced the original noise fan
which has been quiet ever since. Another source of noise is the fan for a
high end graphic card which generates a lot of heat and needs extra strong
cooling. You can buy replacement fans which are quieter than the originals.
If you select a mid level graphic card you'll probably end up with a quiet
Dell, either 4600 or 8400.

"Key Bored" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I'm considering buying a new computer, probably Dell Dimension 4600 or
8400. Does anyone have info or opinions on the noise level of these
models, compared to other Dell models or other manufacturers like Sony,
Gateway, or HP? Is there a website with noise ratings for computers?

Thanx,
Key Bored




Just received a 4600 2 days ago and its fan/disk noise is nil (nearly
inaudible),
CD rev'ing up is audible (as I would want it to be)..

"Key Bored" wrote in message ...
Hi All,

I'm considering buying a new computer, probably Dell Dimension 4600 or 8400.
Does anyone have info or opinions on the noise level of these models,
compared to other Dell models or other manufacturers like Sony, Gateway, or
HP? Is there a website with noise ratings for computers?

Some info can be found in the documents located he

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topi...us&l=en&s=corp

However, I find the information frustratingly vague. The configuration of the
test machines isn't fully documented, nor is the amount of load. But that is
something to look at.

There are numerous forums on the net where PC quieting is dicussed. For
example, www.anandtech.com, www.tomshardware.com, and
www.silentpcreview.com have forums. I don't know whether any third
parties have evaluated Dells, Gateways, etc for noise. However, if you
dig around you'll probably find numerous personal comments regarding
how quiet or noisy they are.

You best bet would be to find someone that owns the exact machine you
are considering, and go have a listen. Noise is a subjective thing, and what
one person might consider quiet you might consider highly annoying. If you
aren't satisfied with the noise levels of Dells, Gateways, etc you could build
your own quieter machine, or purchase one from a reputable builder.

"User N" wrote in message
...

You best bet would be to find someone that owns the exact machine you
are considering, and go have a listen. Noise is a subjective thing, and
what
one person might consider quiet you might consider highly annoying. If
you
aren't satisfied with the noise levels of Dells, Gateways, etc you could
build
your own quieter machine, or purchase one from a reputable builder.

Good suggestion to have computer custom built at a local shop if you're not
skilled in computer assembly. Burn out one CPU and labor savings are lost.
By emphasizing on quietness you can select higher quality fans and insulated
case with minimum addl. cost. Alternatively, be sure Dell replaces noisy
fans etc. I have a 4600 and an 8200 both of which, IMO, run quietly.

In article , lid
says...

"Key Bored" wrote in message ...
Hi All,

I'm considering buying a new computer, probably Dell Dimension 4600 or 8400.
Does anyone have info or opinions on the noise level of these models,
compared to other Dell models or other manufacturers like Sony, Gateway, or
HP? Is there a website with noise ratings for computers?

Some info can be found in the documents located he

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topi...us&l=en&s=corp

However, I find the information frustratingly vague. The configuration of the
test machines isn't fully documented, nor is the amount of load. But that is
something to look at.

There are numerous forums on the net where PC quieting is dicussed. For
example, www.anandtech.com, www.tomshardware.com, and
www.silentpcreview.com have forums. I don't know whether any third
parties have evaluated Dells, Gateways, etc for noise. However, if you
dig around you'll probably find numerous personal comments regarding
how quiet or noisy they are.

You best bet would be to find someone that owns the exact machine you
are considering, and go have a listen. Noise is a subjective thing, and what
one person might consider quiet you might consider highly annoying. If you
aren't satisfied with the noise levels of Dells, Gateways, etc you could build
your own quieter machine, or purchase one from a reputable builder.

In my experience, having several Dells of my own in the past and
recently setting up a 4600 and then an 8400 for some friends, one of the
problems is whining hard drives. This is the luck of the draw because
Dell uses whatever brand HD they have available at a given time. I find
the high pitched whine even more difficult than the fan, power supply
and graphic card fan.

In my last Dell, an 8200, I ended up replacing the power supply, the cpu
fan and the hard drive, all to achieve some peace and quiet.

So, this time round, I had one built for me by www.endpcnoise.com and it
is truly quiet. However, they don't technically offer any tech support
although they'll be happy to help when you call. Given the quality, or
lack thereof, of Dell's tech support, I'm not sure much is really lost.
They use only retail parts and you wont have something crippled by its
OEM status, although you will pay more up front. They also offer high
quality video cards with Zalman heat sinks to replace the fans -
therefore, silent.

You could also have a look at www.tastycomputers.com. They will custom
build using pretty much whatever parts you want and I know they are
aware of the noise factor.

Louise

Well this is my first time using DELL (or any brandname comp rather than a
custom built.)

I almost didn't purchase this DELL because of the noise issues I heard on
their user forums.
I was also concerned about having so much hardware on a 250 w power supply,
no added fans or cooling, no side vents on case, etc.

Well I plugged in my new 8400 (upgraded soundcard to audigy and upgraded vid
card to x300) and it's SO QUIET, I have to put my ear up to it to make sure
it is turned on!!!

My comp tech says it will get noisier the more you use it because the
firmware runs the fan at variable speeds according to how much it needs. So
far I have run Unreal Tournament on it, quite intensive for the cpu and can
notice no difference in the sound level.





"Louise" wrote in message
.. .
In article , lid
says...

"Key Bored" wrote in message
...
Hi All,

I'm considering buying a new computer, probably Dell Dimension 4600 or
8400.
Does anyone have info or opinions on the noise level of these models,
compared to other Dell models or other manufacturers like Sony,
Gateway, or
HP? Is there a website with noise ratings for computers?

Some info can be found in the documents located he

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topi...us&l=en&s=corp

However, I find the information frustratingly vague. The configuration
of the
test machines isn't fully documented, nor is the amount of load. But
that is
something to look at.

There are numerous forums on the net where PC quieting is dicussed. For
example, www.anandtech.com, www.tomshardware.com, and
www.silentpcreview.com have forums. I don't know whether any third
parties have evaluated Dells, Gateways, etc for noise. However, if you
dig around you'll probably find numerous personal comments regarding
how quiet or noisy they are.

You best bet would be to find someone that owns the exact machine you
are considering, and go have a listen. Noise is a subjective thing, and
what
one person might consider quiet you might consider highly annoying. If
you
aren't satisfied with the noise levels of Dells, Gateways, etc you could
build
your own quieter machine, or purchase one from a reputable builder.

In my experience, having several Dells of my own in the past and
recently setting up a 4600 and then an 8400 for some friends, one of the
problems is whining hard drives. This is the luck of the draw because
Dell uses whatever brand HD they have available at a given time. I find
the high pitched whine even more difficult than the fan, power supply
and graphic card fan.

In my last Dell, an 8200, I ended up replacing the power supply, the cpu
fan and the hard drive, all to achieve some peace and quiet.

So, this time round, I had one built for me by www.endpcnoise.com and it
is truly quiet. However, they don't technically offer any tech support
although they'll be happy to help when you call. Given the quality, or
lack thereof, of Dell's tech support, I'm not sure much is really lost.
They use only retail parts and you wont have something crippled by its
OEM status, although you will pay more up front. They also offer high
quality video cards with Zalman heat sinks to replace the fans -
therefore, silent.

You could also have a look at www.tastycomputers.com. They will custom
build using pretty much whatever parts you want and I know they are
aware of the noise factor.

Louise

In article ,
"KatWoman" wrote:

Some info can be found in the documents located he

http://www1.us.dell.com/content/topi...onment/en/prod
_datasheets?c=us&l=en&s=corp


Interesting. I checked that page and the Dimensions all seem to generate
roughly the same amount of noise (apparently quite a bit if I'm reading
the chart right). They also consume a boatload of energy. Perusing some
of the other models, it seems that the Dell Precision M50 is the
quietest. Not sure what it costs or how it's equipped but it's part of
their "workstation" line.

FYI, the machines from Shuttle (small form factor) generate about 37 dB
of noise (not sure if all of them generate the same amount of noise),
which is less than most of the Dells.

Wish I knew what my iMac generated, that way I'd have a point of
comparison.

r/