Anyone using a Dell Vostro 200/400 or Inspiron 530

[KeithP]

So I keep seeing great deals on these Dell machines, however I am wondering how loud they are. My use for the machine would be as iTunes server and VOIP box (MagicJack) so the system would be running constantly. I am also thinking about hooking it up to a TV for occasional game playing. The system could eventually morph into a light duty HTPC.

I have been tempted by some of the deals in the Dell refurb section but if they are noisey, without an easy/cheap way to quiet them, it would be a no-go for me.

Thanks for your input.

-KeithP

*By the way, the reason I would need a full blown system to run iTunes as opposed to some sort of NAS box with iTunes server capability is because I am feeding a AppleTV which won't work with such hardware.

 

[bamacre]

They are pretty quiet. But if you want to do some gaming with them, you are limited to using a video card which doesn't need a 6pin power connector. Or you'd need to replace the PSU.

The XPS 420 is what I recommend for people who want to do heavier gaming. Anything less MIGHT work, but could easily become a headache.

 

[CSMR]

Commercial systems have become quieter but if you want something really quiet you need to build yourself.

 

[KeithP]

Thanks for the feedback.

-KeithP

 

[Soundmanred]

I use a slimline Vostro 200 with this 7200GS video card for my HTPC.
The system is really quiet since the card is passively cooled and the case fans are quiet as well.
I use it to play just about every audio and video file imaginable as well as encoding.
I haven't tried any games on it as I have another system for that.

E2140, 3GB 667RAM, 160GB OS/Programs +1 TB Media hard drives (Green Power for lower power consumption and silence), DVD+/-RW, wireless KB/M.

 

[maziwanka]

Originally posted by: Soundmanred
I use a slimline Vostro 200 with this 7200GS video card for my HTPC.
The system is really quiet since the card is passively cooled and the case fans are quiet as well.
I use it to play just about every audio and video file imaginable as well as encoding.
I haven't tried any games on it as I have another system for that.

E2140, 3GB 667RAM, 160GB OS/Programs +1 TB Media hard drives (Green Power for lower power consumption and silence), DVD+/-RW, wireless KB/M.

this is very interesting. i just purchased the vostro 200 (upgraded to a core2duo) and bought extra ram and got in on the dinovo deal on amazon, so adding a video card sounds attractive if that's all i need to get this HTPC ready.

any other recommendations for video cards?

 

[Zap]

Did you get a tower or slim Vostro 200? For tower, you can use any card that doesn't require additional power. Good ones are the low-mid range units that do video decoding (PureVideo, etc) such as Radeon 26xx/34xx/36xx and Geforce 85xx/86xx (but not GTS). If you have the slimline, then you're a bit more limited.

 

[shoegazer]

I just got an Inspiron 530 with an E8200 and Radeon HD 2400 (I don't game). The computer is very quiet, but the hard drive I got (seagate 500GB 7200.10) is loud when it is seeking. Typically it's only annoying for the first couple minutes after it boots up. It isn't noticeable just playing a video.

 

[Zap]

You know your computer is quiet when the noisiest thing about it is the hard drive.

 

[ranger47]

So I wanted to resurrect this topic.

I have an Vostro 200 slim which is the same as the inspiron 530s. My two seagate hard drives are very loud in this thing. If I put them in my external case that has the rubber gaskets they are super quiet. I have read around about putting these in standard cases, as well as suspending the hard drives by rubber bands, but these options seem difficult in such a cramped case.

Has anyone done anything to make their hard drives quieter?