A computer components & hardware forum. HardwareBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » HardwareBanter forum » System Manufacturers & Vendors » Dell Computers
Site Map Home Register Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Noise Levels for Dell Desktops



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old November 2nd 04, 09:41 PM
Key Bored
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default 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



  #2  
Old November 2nd 04, 10:41 PM
Ricky W. Hunt
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"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.


  #3  
Old November 2nd 04, 11:50 PM
Charliec
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

"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
  #4  
Old November 3rd 04, 01:48 AM
Lenny Bruce
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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.


  #5  
Old November 3rd 04, 11:35 AM
Buck Rogers
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

On Wed, 03 Nov 2004 11:38:59 GMT, Tom McCune
wrote:

Thank you. I've noticed this from the beginning and don't think it has
become louder, but I may take a look again. I would really prefer to
have
a desktop for my main computer at home, but this laptop is really so much
easier on my ears. I guess I should also add that this ear ringing may
well be something I'm just much more sensitive to than most people.


When my computer is super noisy(on a hot, humid day in summer), I use cheap
foam earplugs. A very simple, cheap, convenient solution - I also use the
earplugs for sleeping.

Buck
--
Using Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/
  #6  
Old November 3rd 04, 12:15 PM
wederik
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Tom McCune wrote:
"Key Bored" wrote in
:

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?


This is an interesting thread. My current desktop is an 8100. It
and my prior two Dell desktops were too noisy for me. In fact, I've
now gone to nearly exclusive use of my laptop, largely because the
desktops cause my ears to ring. It is strange though that my home
desktops cause me such problems because my work Dell desktops do not
- I think it may be because the work ventilation system serves as a
white noise that filters this out (my hypothesis!).


Hi Tom,
I also have a Dimension 8100. In the course of time it became very
noisy indeed.
Recently I had a handyman replace both of the coolers you can see on
the backside (one of them belongs to the electric power unit)
Now it's as quiet again as if it was new.
Maybe it's a solution to consider ?
wederik


  #7  
Old November 3rd 04, 02:53 PM
David Frank
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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)..


  #8  
Old November 3rd 04, 03:09 PM
User N
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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.
  #9  
Old November 3rd 04, 04:16 PM
Jay Chan
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I am using a 4300. Its case fan was quite noisy, and I tolerated it
for two years. Then I discovered that Dell has been replacing the
noisy case fan with a quiet one for quite some time. I ordered a new
case fan from Dell, and the PC is quiet ever since.

Jay Chan
  #10  
Old November 3rd 04, 05:41 PM
Lenny Bruce
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default


"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.


 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Macron MPT-400P noise levels Gareth Tuckwell Overclocking AMD Processors 0 September 10th 04 06:22 PM
How Much Fan Noise is Too Much? Alan S. Wales Dell Computers 11 April 13th 04 04:40 AM
Help Me Find the Noise Marshall Lake General 5 February 10th 04 07:17 PM
Dell Inspiron 8500 - Noise Levels John Stables Dell Computers 3 October 22nd 03 07:14 PM
a7n8x dlx and sound (noise) problems Beemer Biker Asus Motherboards 1 August 5th 03 02:33 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 04:17 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 HardwareBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.