Quiet Systems Hardware

Quiet Systems Hardware

Quiet computers are those that make little or no normal operating noise, incidentally or by design. Most desktop computers emit a constant whir, and sometimes roar of noise, from fans as they spin, disk drives (hard, CD/DVD) as they spin and read and store data, and from electrical transformers as they hum and whine. Sound is also emitted by speakers, but this is intentional, and usually considered desirable by users, if not by coworkers. Many users find computer noises distracting, even irritating, more so as they increasingly listen to music and videos on computers, and use IP telephony. Ergonomic (human factors) research in noise pollution, usually in the workplace, shows that noise harms user concentration and productivity, more so where many computers operate in confined spaces, more so where no effort is made to improve acoustics. The market for quieter computers is growing worldwide, more in Europe.

Top: Computers: Hardware: Systems: Quiet

Editor's Picks:

The Silent PC

- Investigates and documents acoustic aspect of information technology, ergonomics, growing interest in and market for acoustic comfort, how ISO 9296 standard helps to identify quiet devices.
Silent PC Review: SPCR

- Reviews, news, information on quiet, low noise, and/or silent computers and components, silencing methods, DIY modifications, full systems, and their energy efficiency and thermal performance.

Logic Supply, Inc. - Makes and sells custom Mini/Nano/Pico-ITX, and other small systems and parts, mainly for industry-specific embedded and applied system markets. South Burlington, Vermont, USA.
VeryPC Ltd. - Provides green computer systems, other support and services: Apple and PC networking, network, bespoke equipment, contracting. Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Review: Linspire Mini Koobox - By Joe 'Zonker' Brockmeier. Linux-based Koobox mini is a full PC in a very small, quiet package, and worth a look. Linux.com.
What is an Acoustical Noise Declaration? - Explanation with links, references. IBM.
Searching for the Very Silent PC - Small article explains market, and why it exists. CNN.com.
The Sound of Silence - Treats quieting computers for music recording studio; product names and links. Electronic Musician.
Tranquil PC Ltd. - Makes and sells quiet and small silent PCs. Manchester, UK.
Shhh! Constructing a Truly Quiet Gaming PC - Short article, with links and many reader comments. Slashdot.
King Young Technology Co., Ltd. - Makes SUMICOM: SUper MIni COMputer; very small, low power, silent. Taipei City, Taiwan.
Pogo Linux, Inc.: Quiet PC Guarantee - Makes and sells Linux workstations that run below 32 dB, smoothly with no vibration, are stable and handle high loads with no overheats. Tukwila, Washington, USA.
EndPCNoise.com - Sells quiet and silent systems and parts: hard drives, power supplies, fans (CPU, motherboard, case, video card); since 1999. Vancouver, Washington, USA.
Silence is Golden - Project to quiet a server cabinet (with 100baseTX hub) and desktop PC; medium long text, photos. Flare Development Group.
LinSentio - Makes, configures, sells silent PCs, with Linux and other open source software. Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Wikipedia: Quiet PC - Encyclopedia article, with links to many topics.
Quiet PC - Sells worldwide, systems and parts: power supplies, cases, case fans, CPU coolers, video card coolers, sound proofing, hard drive enclosures, motherboard heatsinks, case feet, cables, adapters. Malton, UK.
Making a Silent, Tiny, Diskless PC - Briefly describes project, with photo, reader comments, questions. Hackdiary.
Fan Noise Solutions - How to lower noise level from PC cooling fans, various electronic circuit construction guides, and mechanical means.
Building a Dead Silent PC - Short article, with links and many reader comments. Slashdot.
Esoteric Computers - Lists projects, details, photos. Convection Plant: no fans or pumps, only silent convective water cooling; Test Rig: research into pumpless, fanless, CPU water cooling.
Thermal Fan-Control Circuit - Describes circuit to lower the noise made by all fans in one case; text, block diagram. Overclockers Australia.
Build a Silent PC - Instructions on how to build quiet computers that still perform well, with all steps needed.
Puget Silent Professional Workstation - High performance, reliable, full size desktop computer, ships in 3-5 business days. Puget Custom Computers. Seattle, Washington, USA.
Thinkmate Virtually-Silent Workstations: VSX - Makes, sells higher performance systems; meets ISO 9001:2000, has sub-25dB heatsinks, aluminum chassis. Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.
SolarPC - Makes and sells line of small, quiet, aluminum cased notebook sized computers and conventional Common Building Block (CBB) laptops; many standard and custom configurations. Thousand Oaks, California, USA.
Mappit A4F Fanless Computer - Makes, sells fanless PC system based on VIA Mini-ITX motherboards, special design interior and aluminum case. Schneider Elektronik GmbH and Co. KG. [English and German]
Noise Insulation Case - Detailed study of project to build a highly sound insulating wooden case for a tower PC, about 150 photos. English, Finnish.
Computer Noise Insulation Case - Report on building a noise protection case for computers with active ventilation for cooling the unit; details, drawings, photos, parts list, downloads. English, Deutsch.
Zonbu - Makes low power, fanless, diskless, silent, open source, subscription-based desktop PC. subsidiary of PConRails LLC. Menlo Park, California, USA.
Hush Technologies, Inc. - Makes and sells line of ergonomic and aesthetically designed silent computer systems to end users, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), resellers. English, Deutsch. Stuttgart, Germany.
How to Build a Dead Silent PC - Article of instructions. Predecessor to website: Build a Silent PC. hardCOREware.net.
Cool and Quiet or Anti-Extreme Overclocking Experience - How to quiet graphics card, lower heat output, and keep performance up. X-bit Labs.
AOpen Inc.: Small Form Factor - Links to quiet PCs, sold worldwide: bare system, MiniPC, XC cube, ePC. Milpitas, California, USA. Home: Taipei, Taiwan.
Silencing Your PC - The cooling needs of current PCs often make them sound like air conditioners. Learn how to quiet them. ExtremeTech.
Silent Computing - Short article on desire and means for silent computing. Low End Mac.

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