Does anyone have a self built computer as quiet as a Dell?

[Thump553]

Its probably quite possible to build a computer as quiet as a Dell, but for a lot more money and hassle. But I now have a Dell at work, and have persuaded my mother in law and sister to buy them (instead of me building for them). Two of these computers are dead silent (one is 1 1/2 years old, one six months). In the third you can faintly hear the hard drive.

If things remain as is, the next time I replace my personal system, it will probably be a Dell.

 

[LeadMagnet]

I have built HUNDREDS of computers - and now I own a Dell PowerEdge 400SC - and I can say with all honesty that it is the quietest computer I have ever used - just short of my solar calulator.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: PanzerIV


Yes, they sure do and that is why I bought it. No modding necessary and acceptable gaming performance for me since I am not a die hard enthusiast like some video card fans.

As for typing heat sink wrong I am sure we'll all get through it with little harm done.

well i was more getting at the fact that strapping a fan to a heat sink IS passively cooling. think about it... you turn on the fan in the room, and you're not really cooling anything, you're just blowing air around... heat still moves in it's natural direction... if you turn on the air conditioner, you're actively cooling, and heat is flowing against the temperature gradient.

 

[Ne0]

I built a computer on a Qbic 3401M SFF and it's the quietest computer I've ever used (using Zalman Alcu7000 on low). Some people over at the Sudhian Soltek forums used VGA Arctic Silencer, put system fan on low or off, etc to make the rig even quieter.

 

[V00DOO]

I forgot to turn my Dell 400SC off last night before going to bed. Even though the PC was next to my bed. It was so quiet I don't recall hearing it being on. For $300 pc, you can't be that.

 

[LongCoolMother]

the dells i have are sooo quiet its amazing. the first time i got it, i didnt even know it was on and i thought it was broken because there was no sound. its much quieter than even the HPs that i thought were quiet before.

however, during HOT days, it does grow loud. not overly loud, but its definately there. hot days suck.

 

[pcmodem]

Quiet PC's are easily, as long as you're not planning to overclock the CPU.

First, choose an aluminum case so it'll stay cooler.

Second, choose a nice quiet power supply like a SilenX or Zalman.

Third, choose a fanless video card. Sapphire Tech' specializes in those.

Fourth, choose quiet case fans like Panaflos or other good low dBa fans.

Fifth, choose a quiet CPU with a high quality heatsink.


Directron (www.directron.com) has a good basic quiet PC guide.




Cheers, :beer:
PCM

 

[oogabooga]

i love silentpcreview : I'm into quiet computing much more than overclocking now (though i still do both).
Silent PC Review

The two biggest noise concerns i have now are my HD (a WD160 ) and my PSU just a standard enermax 300w. Adding the zalman 7000alcu was awesome for my computer, it truly killed a lot of noise (seeing as i was using a dragon orb cooler originally).

Getting a computer really really quiet is possible, it just takes effort. for me it's fun trying to find ways to kill noise in my machine, or overclock to get max performance. For the people who just don't have the time though, just quiet components and some research is your best guess.

 

[Slickone]

So what are the quietest PSU's in order (reliable PSU's only)? Would the Seasonic Super Tornado be at the top?

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle

I didn't want to spend money on changing cases, so I've kept my mods low key so far. Disconnected the fan on my chipset's northbridge (the heatsink is pretty big anyhow). I stuck an Arctic Cooling VGA silencer on my Radeon 9700 Pro, and a 7-volted Zalman CNPS-7000 on the CPU. Finally, I voltmodded my already quiet Panaflo L1A fans to 5V. I'm very happy with the computer noise levels, choosing the right components also helps: I use a PSU with thermally controlled fans and my hard drive is a Seagate Barracuda, one of the quietest hard drives around.

The L1A's will start at 5V? Are they even pushing any air at that voltage?

 

[AFB]

Sonata (stock)