Console showdown: which produces the most noise?

[Fag Boy]

As with some other recent reports concerning the trio of new consoles, we're not asserting that this decibel test is entirely accurate, as the methodology was far from scientific, but the results were interesting -- and a bit unexpected -- to say the least. While users have long since complained that the Xbox 360 kicked out an unusual amount of fan noise courtesy of the overheating problems it's been plagued with, one lucky owner of all three consoles found that Microsoft's unit actually wasn't the biggest racket-maker in the bunch, all things considered. By utilizing a standard handheld decibel meter, he measured the ambient sound output of the Wii, PS3, and Xbox 360 just after start-up, playing games sans an optical disc, and during disc playback to judge which console is noisiest overall. While results were noticeably mixed, it was concluded that the Xbox 360, on average, was actually the quietest of the bunch, and while the PS3 remained fairly calm initially, an extended period of play threw its fans (and consequently, the noise factor) into overdrive. Interestingly, Nintendo's Wii kept nearly silent during bootup, but after playing a few rounds of Wii Sports, it actually became the loudest of the three, clocking in at 70dB, or nearly 8dB higher than the nearest competitor. Granted, most folks won't notice the background whir when the 5.1s are thumpin' and folks are getting rowdy on the last lap of Excite Truck, but c'mon, this is the stuff we geeks are made to scrutinize, so be sure and hit the read link to make of it all what you will.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/15/console-showdown-which-produces-the-most-noise/

[Nocturnal]

hmm, I'm surprised at those results. I figured the 360 would be the loudest.

Noise is probably the lowest thing on my list though.

[Frosty]

The 360 actually is the loudest. Not to assert any fanboyism into these posts, but it's common knowledge. In his experiment, he placed the microphone next to the exhausts of the three consoles. He also states that his methodology isn't scientific, which coincides with that fact.

The most accurate way of judging would be placing the mic in front of the consoles, which is where the person playing them would actually be sitting (i.e. - 1-3 meters in the immediate vicinity). From reports I hear, the PS3 is actually the quietest and the Wii is right behind (the Wii only makes a substantial noise when it is booting up the disc, but after that it's smooth sailing). As for the XBox 360, it has a high decibel count during play and when the disc is booted up. From what I understand though, there's an upgrade coming that potentially reduces this sound.

[ConanTL]

I found the original Xbox obnoxiously loud (the DVD drive that is)

[rand0m]

Well for starters that guy thinks the Wii has a harddrive ...

... i think we can let this thread die.

This guy is talking complete bullshit.

Video evidence (http://www.joystiq.com/2005/11/19/xbox-360-fan-noise-ranked/)

Xbox 360 fan ranked (http://www.joystiq.com/2005/11/19/xbox-360-fan-noise-ranked/)(my favorut quote from a comment over this "did you comepare it to a dreamcast?")

BBC Article on PS3 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6136712.stm)

The machine is startlingly quiet with very little fan noise; the DVD player is also rather hushed - a stark contrast to the Xbox 360 which roars intermittently thanks to the fans.

[IGneois]

Well for starters that guy thinks the Wii has a harddrive ...

... i think we can let this thread die.

Well I guess we just save the games on some mystical magical mobius strip that invertally spins that data over and over again with it's "stay connected" at all times and confuses it letting the data stay spinning in the Wii until you play, point your wiimote at the spinning data, and grab it.



Its 512 mb, small but its still a hardrive.

[rand0m]

Its 512 mb, small but its still a hardrive.

Thats flash memory ...

[IGneois]

Thats flash memory ...

a flash hardrive memory

and you replied fast..go take a nap.

[rand0m]

Oh silly me, i mean that fucking Flash memory is so God dam LOUD.

They really need to improve it, its keeping me up at night ...

[IGneois]

Oh silly me, i mean that fucking Flash memory is so God dam LOUD.

They really need to improve it, its keeping me up at night ...

It must be an unsettling silence because I can't say I've ever heard God make a noise.


(now im just being a smartass, but it's fun)

[rand0m]

Ok, i take it from your Sig you like the Wii ...

Well this dude who conducted the tests seems to think that the Flash Memory present in the Wii console hits about 50 decibels ...

[IGneois]

Ok, i take it from your Sig you like the Wii ...

Well this dude who conducted the tests seems to think that the Flash Memory present in the Wii console hits about 50 decibels ...

yeah...noise is..noisey.

But Rand0m , I just like messing around guy, we're cool we're cool, we're awesome.

[JesusTheJedi]

Yeah I haven't heard the Wii but I found the 360 to be pretty damn noisy and I don't hear a thing from the PS3... Not to say that it really even matters to me, I'm just saying

[Kenix700]

Yea the 360 is gay when it comes to sound. Its really annoying.

[rand0m]

Bah, as much as I would love to rub this in peoples faces, i wont.

My Dreamcast made a fucking racket, however once you start playing the game you grow use to the noise and you don't hear it ne more.

[silverspade14]

I only notice the 360's noise when I start it up, the rest of the time the volume is too loud to notice it.

[B-MetalSucks]

Since I tend not to place my 360 directly on top of my head when I play it I usually can't hear it while playing. During startup however it sounds like a small commuter plane landing.

[SIKKENT]

and it depends on the games he played too. i notice that oblivion makes alot of noise, and it can get annoying, but games like ult. alliance and madden are pretty quiet. at least that what i notice

[Turbocharger]

I would totally put a liquid cooling system in my 360.




But I don't want to have blown 400 dollars should something go wrong.