SFF Roundup, Part I: Socket 478 and 754 Systems
by Jarred Walton on February 15, 2005 2:00 PM EST- Posted in
- Systems
Noise Benchmarks
We used an SPL meter with a sensitivity of down to 30 dB in A-weighted mode to measure noise levels. While it may not be the most realistic placement for the meter, measurements were taken at a distance of 12 inches. Some of the units were quiet enough that the sensitivity of our SPL device would come into play if we placed it at a more appropriate range of one meter. Noise tests were also taken with and without the X800 Pro installed; integrated graphics were used if available, or an add-in MX440 card was used where integrated graphics weren't available.The maximum noise level measured is a true "worst case" scenario, and the only time that we measured this level of noise was during the POST sequence when the fans spin at maximum RPM. The minimum noise level is just that, while the stress test measurements were taken while looping 3DMark03 after it had been running for 30 minutes. For tests without the X800 Pro, we omitted the stress test and simply reported the noise level after the computer had been running for 30 minutes. Room temperature was 71 F, so there is the potential for higher noise levels during the summer months.
Please note that decebels are a non-linear measurement. Depending on whom you ask, a 3 dB increase is a doubling of power while a 6 to 10 dB increase represents a doubling of the noise level. You may or may not notice a 3 dB increase, but anything more than 5 dB is perceivable, and 10 or more dB represents a major difference.
The noise levels without a high-end graphics card were mostly off the charts, so you could read that as "less than 30 dB" for most of the units. Under load, they can still be audible, but only barely. If you want a quite computer and you don't need a powerful graphics cards, most SFF systems perform very well.
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gerf - Thursday, March 24, 2005 - link
I noticed! :Dbut i doubt that you will notice back anyway. Heh
JarredWalton - Tuesday, December 6, 2005 - link
Touche! And only 9 months late. LOLJarredWalton - Wednesday, February 23, 2005 - link
UPDATE! I screwed up in comment 28 above and neglected to mention this in the article. The iDEQ 210P actually *CAN* use a two slot graphics card. That makes high-end cards like the 6800 Ultra an option, as well as quieter solutions like the Silencer GPU HSF. I'm not sure how many will actually notice this post, but it's one more point in favor of the 210P.JarredWalton - Friday, February 18, 2005 - link
Update: I inadvertently stated that the ASUS quick-boot mode supports MP3 CDs. It does not. Sorry for any confusion. The Aopen and Foxconn do support this feature, but my brain got a little scambled in the process of reviewing all five units.JarredWalton - Friday, February 18, 2005 - link
27 - at least for the units in this roundup, none of them could take a large two-slot graphics card. The AGP slots are all on the outside, so the HSF would end up outside the case. Clearance even with the X800 Pro used was tight on several of the cases and it required a bit of finagling to install. Any of the cards that use a large cooler like the Silencer would also not fit in the cases. I'll be sure to make note of any SFFs that could actually accept a two-slot GPU, though.benjin - Friday, February 18, 2005 - link
Excellent reviews, I appreciate all the hard work.Since noise is a big issue, it'd be nice to see how well some of the new, larger and passively cooled video cards fit, if at all.
I could see that as being difficult since they'll all be different, but maybe future reviews could offer an idea of how much clearance would be available to work with.
JarredWalton - Thursday, February 17, 2005 - link
The Kloss is amoung the systems in the 775 roundup I'm working on. Do they have a 939 version as well?Noli - Thursday, February 17, 2005 - link
can you include the Trigem Kloss as well pls? Sounds and looks pretty cool.. (esp if they have an A64 version - anyone know?)http://www.tomshardware.com/howto/200502161/index....
JarredWalton - Thursday, February 17, 2005 - link
23 - I've sent a request to Biostar for any additional units, particularly Athlon 64 units. The same goes for several other companies.REMF - Wednesday, February 16, 2005 - link
Biostar are are about to release an nForce4 SFF in their 300 series chassis. :D