Quiet Prebuilt PC

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Rollydog

Junior Member
Mar 31, 2008
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I'm looking for a quiet, quality, prebuilt PC. I just got through trying to build a custom comp and mutiple parts came in RMA. The experience, coupled with horrible tech support, has really turned me off to DIY building so I'm willing to spend a couple more bucks to get something prebuilt.

This is mostly going to be used as a digital audio workstation so I don't need a fancy graphics card. Just something quiet and relatively fast (core duo). Also, I'd like the option of getting it sans operating system, or with linux, to save money. I'd be formatting it anyway and installing XP. I'm looking at around 500-700 bucks.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
http://www.hushtechnologies.com/

http://www.endpcnoise.com/

Both these companies sell complete systems that are silent. Hush does these custom almost Apple looking (and priced) completely fanless systems. EndPCNoise does more "normal" computers and will custom build for you if needed, plus they specialize in making systems quiet.

NOTE: I have not purchased from either company, but had found out about both from SilentPCReview.com.
 
bamacre

bamacre

Lifer
Jul 1, 2004
21,029
2
81
Take a look at the Dell XPS 420 or even the Precision T3400 (which I believe is still on sale). If not new, try Dell Outlet (same system warranty).
 
H

hnzw rui

Member
Mar 6, 2008
135
0
0
Another option you can look at is the Vostro line from Dell Small Business. XP's still available on it and it doesn't come with any of the junk.

You can also get it with Linux, but if you will be installing Windows XP either way, the Linux counterpart isn't that much less expensive. In fact you get better deals for Vostros pre-installed with Windows XP.

Example:
Vostro 200 Mini-Tower
Intel Core 2 Duo E6550 (2.33GHz)
No Monitor
2GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM 667
Single Drive: 16X DVD+/-RW
500GB SATA Hard Drive (7200RPM)
Integrated Intel Graphics
IEEE 1394 adapter w/cable
Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
1 year warranty

Linux: $719
Windows XP Professional: $588
Windows XP Home: $489

Funny, is it not? The exact same system pre-installed with Linux cost significantly more than its Windows counterpart.
 
D

DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
I've never bought from them, but FYI EndPCNoise.com (mentioned above) has been a sponsor of SilentPCReview.com for years now.
 
P

pukemon

Senior member
Jun 16, 2000
850
0
76
It's worth mentioning because you want to do audio, but a quiet SFF worth looking at would be the Mac Mini Core2 Duo. It's small, quiet, and there is a lot of quality audio recording / editing/ multitracking software available for it in addition to Garageband which is included with the system.
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
Originally posted by: pukemon
It's worth mentioning because you want to do audio, but a quiet SFF worth looking at would be the Mac Mini Core2 Duo. It's small, quiet, and there is a lot of quality audio recording / editing/ multitracking software available for it in addition to Garageband which is included with the system.
Click to expand...
They are very nice machines if a little pricey, but the small laptop hard drive is one limitation.
 
Zap

Zap

Elite Member
Oct 13, 1999
22,377
7
81
Originally posted by: bamacre
Originally posted by: jefa
Originally posted by: aceO07
DELL desktops are pretty silent.
Click to expand...

I have a Dell at work and it is the loudest PC I have ever heard.
Click to expand...

What model? :confused:
Click to expand...

Some of their older Precision workstations with 3.8GHz Netburst chips have noisy fans. :p Had some of those where I used to work. Of course that's by design.

Dell desktops (especially ones that do not use Netburst chips) are generally pretty quiet, unless something's malfunctioning or clogged with dirt.
 
O

olmer

Senior member
Dec 28, 2006
324
0
0
Dell slimline inspirons/vostros are the worst choice you can make unless you are okay to change cooler/case fan and psu fan (no warranty sticker to brake). You?d need one 80mm pwm 25 or 38mm and two 80x15mm 3 pin. I would change the whole cpu cooler assembly while at it (Dell?s just a piece of aluminium with a few fins and 30x30 square block in the middle which accumulates all the heat ? even stock is more efficient). Ideally get the 70-80mm side blower on screws (Dells existing underboard assembly can be used then) and direct it towards the exhaust. Latest bios 1.0.11 helps a bit with uncontrollably high rpms of psu fan, but it still is a joke at 2.5k during orthos/games (Bestec/Delta 250W Rev A00).

Dell Vistro 200 slimline stock cooling illustration: modded E2140 @ 2.1 idle 21, orthos 44, room 18 psu and cpu fans from 1.6k to 2.4k (with cpu fan constantly changing cycles when cpu is throttled thus adding discomfort to the noise). With resistors you can make it bearable without further investment and new bios when it comes out should make rpm change smoother, but that is not for everyone. Replace exhaust and cpu fans (standard 4 and 3 pins, but 15mm side fan) and have a bearable setup or replace cpu cooler and 15mm side fans and have a pretty quiet machine suitable even for HTPC use.

Overall Dell uses high cfm/pressure but very noisy Delta fans (sometimes/older machines Nidec) and mostly non standard size and proprietary audio-style sockets/plugs. To change them you would need to buy fans starting very low (5v) plus some soldering would be involved. The 420 is a quiet machine, however, once case vibration is properly isolated and £2 invested in some good rubber feet.
 
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JWade

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
3,273
197
106
www.heatware.com
I have 3 Inspiron desktops (two 530s and one 531) and the only noise is when i initially turn them on and the cpu fan spins up then goes quiet. My video card fan makes alot more noise than the power supply and cpu and case fans do.
 
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