[Hidden-tech] Anyone in the area have equipment for measuring PC noise levels?

[B. Kimo Lee]

Hi Michael,

Only meaning to be partially facetious, given your last name, maybe  
the Mac Mini or an iMac might be worth considering. They're really  
quiet. Well, I suppose that doesn't help you at all, does it since it  
won't run your software and it's not a laptop? Sorry, Friday humor.  
Maybe your drive bearings are shot? Have you investigated other newer  
and quieter drives?

Have a good weekend,

Kimo


On Mar 17, 2006, at 1:04 AM, Michael McIntosh wrote:

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> Hello Folks,
>
> My current "desktop replacement" laptop that I use extensively for  
> work and occasionally for gaming generates a LOT of noise. The  
> amount of noise it generates is having a negative impact on the  
> mental health of both my wife and I since I work from home and the  
> noise is a constant irritation.
>
> There is always a collective sigh of relief in our household when  
> the laptop is finally turned off. Unfortunately, being the techie  
> that I am, it doesn't get turned off too often.
>
> I am currently investigating building a high-performance PC that  
> runs very quietly, preferably something that generates less than 25  
> dB of noise from ~2 feet away.
>
> I have found some articles that discuss how I can build a quiet  
> desktop PC (such as http://tinyurl.com/faota) or the differences  
> between typical noise levels (http://tinyurl.com/2q7vz).
>
> For sake of comparison, I need to determine the amount of noise my  
> current laptop generates and I do not have the equipment to do so.  
> I've considered buying sound level measuring equipment for the  
> task, but realistically I'd only probably use it a couple times  
> before it would be shelved and begin to collect dust.
>
> I suspect that my current system generates around 40 dB worth of  
> noise when "idle" and as much as 60 dB when running a modern  
> computer game or playing a DVD movie. If someone has or can direct  
> me to someone who has sound level measuring equipment that I could  
> borrow, I'd greatly appreciate it. Then I'd have a better idea of  
> how much effort is needed to restore peace and quiet to our home  
> again. (er, 7 month old daughter not withstanding) :)
>
> Thank you for your time. :)
>
> -Michael McIntosh
>
> PS: My laptop is a Sony Vaio PCG-K25. Its a nice machines that has  
> a beautiful display and works very well despite the noise/heat  
> problems.
>
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