View Full Version : Is there anything I can do to get a QUIET 360?
Wolfpup
11-08-2007, 11:57 AM
I'm running out of Playstation 2 games, which means I'm going to need to buy my fourth 360 soon...
And given that, I'd love to somehow get one with a (relatively) quiet optical drive. (Also like a Falcon, but I'd be okay with a Zephyr if it's QUIET.)
Is there ANY known way to do that, beyond random luck? One person suggested buying from Best Buy and returning them until you get a quiet one...but I hate having to do that (if they'd even let me...)
The blender noise from the 360 has always SERIOUSLY detracted from my enjoyment of it, to the point where I'd rather run a game on the Playstation 2 in a lot of cases and take the graphical hit.
I'm seriously worried I won't be able to enjoy Blue Dragon (or Nobuo Umatsu's score) if I get another Blender360.
EDIT: Separate issue, I wonder if there are going to be any deals on the 360 in the coming month? But honestly, I'd pay $200 more for a unit if it were a quiet one.
Maybe buy a Halo one? I think they are all pretty much guaranteed newer and hopefully quieter?
PyroGamer
11-08-2007, 12:09 PM
You're weird.
Honestly, how the hell can it bother you that much?
Put it back away in your entertainment system or something.
Or you could tear it all up and replace the fans with some silent stuff. Wouldn't change the drive noise, though. Or the HD noise.
dmaul1114
11-08-2007, 12:10 PM
The drive noise is damn loud. I've learned to tune it out for the most part, but it is annoying. Especially when playing late at night when I have to turn the stereo down.
So I don't think its weird at all that it could bother someone that much.
Wolfpup
11-08-2007, 12:12 PM
Maybe buy a Halo one? I think they are all pretty much guaranteed newer and hopefully quieter?
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm like 95% sure that ever since that new third optical drive got introduced that's quieter, it's just random chance whether you get one or not-they're still using the loud models too. I'd love to be wrong, but I think the Halo model is still using all three models of drive.
You're weird.
Honestly, how the hell can it bother you that much?
Put it back away in your entertainment system or something.
Or you could tear it all up and replace the fans with some silent stuff. Wouldn't change the drive noise, though. Or the HD noise.
I'm "weird"? I'm hardly the only person who has an issue with this. Geez.
I don't have an entertainment system to put it in where I'm going to put it, and when I have in the past, it barley helps. The fan noise doesn't bother me much. It's louder than I'd like, but about like a standard PC from a few years ago. I've never even heard a 360's hard drive, and that wouldn't bother me either (it's just a notebook drive). It's the optical drive that's the problem.
PyroGamer
11-08-2007, 12:15 PM
The drive noise is damn loud. I've learned to tune it out for the most part, but it is annoying. Especially when playing late at night when I have to turn the stereo down.
http://www.mondotees.com/ProductImages/bangonicons/headphones.jpg
I don't have an entertainment system to put it in where I'm going to put it, and when I have in the past, it barley helps. The fan noise doesn't bother me much. It's louder than I'd like, but about like a standard PC from a few years ago. I've never even heard a 360's hard drive, and that wouldn't bother me either (it's just a notebook drive). It's the optical drive that's the problem.
Well my 360 is loud even when the drive isn't spinning. But yeah, the drive is definitely the main problem.
Pretty riddiculous, it wouldn't be that hard to put a quiet drive in the 360. Just charge $50 more and put in a slot-loaded silent drive, for all I care.
There are no "quiet" 360's. You can look online for the lot numbers of the ones with the supposedly "quieter" drives, if you really like. But it honestly won't make much of a difference. I have one of the quieter ones now and it's not remotely quiet.
klwillis45
11-08-2007, 12:21 PM
http://www.llamma.com/xbox360/Xbox_360_DVD_Drive_Comparison.htm
http://www.360drives.com/list
ighosty
11-08-2007, 12:32 PM
I have the BenQ drive which supposedly makes the least noises, but the thing sounds like a jet engine compared to my last 360.
Cyb3-rr
11-08-2007, 12:53 PM
The 360 is loud? Is this an OCD thing, because if listen to anything it's going to be louder than the console. Are you sitting in your living room with everything turned off but the 360 getting irritated that it's not completely silent?
I've had the same console since launch and to call it "loud" is a serious overstatement.
Halo05
11-08-2007, 12:55 PM
First, go buy a Dreamcast. Play it for a couple months. After that, get another 360. I guarantee you won't notice the 360's noise again.
Wolfpup
11-08-2007, 12:59 PM
Well my 360 is loud even when the drive isn't spinning. But yeah, the drive is definitely the main problem.
Pretty riddiculous, it wouldn't be that hard to put a quiet drive in the 360. Just charge $50 more and put in a slot-loaded silent drive, for all I care.
There are no "quiet" 360's. You can look online for the lot numbers of the ones with the supposedly "quieter" drives, if you really like. But it honestly won't make much of a difference. I have one of the quieter ones now and it's not remotely quiet.
Crap, you've got a Ben Q and it's still a jet engine? Geez. Yeah, I'd seriously pay more for a better drive. 360: Non-Blender edition.
I have the BenQ drive which supposedly makes the least noises, but the thing sounds like a jet engine compared to my last 360.
Crap crap crap.
So maybe the Ben Q ISN'T any quieter and it doesn't even matter? I don't know what my first three systems were, other than they couldn't be Ben Qs because they were all made before last fall. They all sounded the same. Jet Engine the instant the system loaded.
Thanks for those links, though I'm not sure they'll do any good if the Ben Q isn't really quieter.
That one link says the Toshiba HD-DVD drive is the quietest of the bunch. If it really could be while running 360 games, it would be awesome of they made a 360 model with it integrated. HD-DVD with a quieter drive for $100-200 more would be completely worth it.
EDIT: Looking through that database, I'm not sure what it really tells you. I'm seeing 360s made on the same date, with the same lot number, with the same team, using TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT DRIVES. :D This is honestly my biggest problem with the 360. If this thing were whisper quiet I'd think it was an awesome console, but I don't want to hear my electronics.
Wolfpup
11-08-2007, 01:08 PM
First, go buy a Dreamcast. Play it for a couple months. After that, get another 360. I guarantee you won't notice the 360's noise again.
I had a Dreamcast, and had the same issue with it. I don't think it was as loud (mine anyway). I hated that about it too, and was one of the reasons I like the PS2's design better. Those are the only two consoles I've ever thought were too loud. The original X-Box was a bit louder than the original Playstation 2 or Gamecube, but nothing outrageous at all. I honestly thought the 360 was going to be even quieter because before it was released Microsoft made a big deal of how they were working on making it quiet, and even shutting down two of the cores when running DVDs to help with fan noise. I thought it was going to be even better than the first one. Totally shocked when I popped Perfect Dark Zero in the drive. I thought it was broken at first.
I had some friends in the industry who had no idea the retail model was so loud because they were using development units that were/are apparently quiet.
The 360 is loud? Is this an OCD thing, because if listen to anything it's going to be louder than the console. Are you sitting in your living room with everything turned off but the 360 getting irritated that it's not completely silent?
I've had the same console since launch and to call it "loud" is a serious overstatement.
You either somehow got one with a quieter drive, or you have hearing damage. All three 360's I've had are so loud that I can hear them from the other side of they house, from downstairs even. The question is "what IS as loud as the 360"? I have to turn up the volume from where I'd normally have it to hear a game over the blender. I mean it's seriously like having a blender sitting there beside your TV. It's outrageous, the three I've had.
I've heard some people have gotten Ben Q systems that sound more normal-more like a computer. I can't even hear my computer over the 360 (EASILY 2-4 times louder).
Lou-Dawg
11-08-2007, 01:10 PM
Since you are on your 4th 360, I assume you have a HDD. I'd just buy a Arcade unit from Best Buy. Supposedly they are the Falcon units, but if not you can return it. If it is too loud return it. There are Ben-Q Falcon Arcade units out there, but they are a little rarer than the Hitachi.
Best Buy can't deny your return. Just say it is louder than your old one and you want a quieter one.
Just turn the game volume up.
javeryh
11-08-2007, 01:12 PM
Can't you just turn the sound up on your TV/reciever? I never notice the noise once I start playing...
geehal
11-08-2007, 01:16 PM
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,2066860,00.asp
If you're willing to mod your 360 and void the warranty you could try this. Also there are the Talismoon fans at llama.com that are quieter.
looploop
11-08-2007, 01:17 PM
wow, that's some crazy volume OP. I've a Hitachi drive, and while I do think it's annoyingly loud for a game console, it doesn't come close to what you're describing.
Wolfpup
11-08-2007, 01:27 PM
Regarding the "turn it up" people. No. I'm not drowning out the volume by turning up my TV all the way. That's not a solution.
Dang, this is disheartening. I was hoping there was some way to do it.
Good suggestion about the arcade, but I don't have a hard drive anymore, so I'm probably getting a regular unit.
Maklershed
11-08-2007, 01:34 PM
I'm running out of Playstation 2 games, which means I'm going to need to buy my fourth 360 soon...
I'm not sure how the two correlate.
Also, I dont get the bitching about the 360 being loud. I dont even notice it. I guess cause I'm so focused on the game or the dvd that I'm involved with. Besides, doesnt the music/sounds from your game or dvd drown out the sound of the fan? And are you telling me your pc fan isnt loud?
dmaul1114
11-08-2007, 01:34 PM
http://www.mondotees.com/ProductImages/bangonicons/headphones.jpg
I hate headphones. I'll take my 5.1 sound at a lower volume before dealing with headphones. And I don't mean nearly muted, just not blasting loud. :D
Plus a lot of late night gaming is online and can't use headphones and the headset anyway.
Ebraum
11-08-2007, 01:35 PM
Unplug it.
Wolfpup
11-08-2007, 01:38 PM
I'm not sure how the two correlate. [/.quote]
Err...because I want to continue playing games?
[quote]Also, I dont get the bitching about the 360 being loud. I dont even notice it.
Then like I said to another poster, you either got lucky with a quiet one or you have hearing loss/poor hearing.
I guess cause I'm so focused on the game or the dvd that I'm involved with. Besides, doesnt the music/sounds from your game or dvd drown out the sound of the fan?
No, the 360's I've had are far too loud to be drowned out by the TV.
And are you telling me your pc fan isnt loud?
I'm not talking about the fan at all, I'm talking about the optical drive. And yes, every 360 I've had is far, far, far louder than any regular PC. The 360's fans are fairly similar to a normal PC (ie one from a few years ago that wasn't especially made to be quiet). Loud compared to the PS3, but not bad. But the optical drive is in another league.
How far are you sitting from the 360 while playing?
dmaul1114
11-08-2007, 01:39 PM
The 360 is loud? Is this an OCD thing, because if listen to anything it's going to be louder than the console. Are you sitting in your living room with everything turned off but the 360 getting irritated that it's not completely silent?
I've had the same console since launch and to call it "loud" is a serious overstatement.
If you can say that, you lucked out and got a quiet one.
I can hear the drive even with the games as loud on my surround as I could possibly play them without getting evicted. :D
It's very noisy when the disc drive is spinning. I'm talking like as noisy as a box fan at times.
dmaul1114
11-08-2007, 01:40 PM
How far are you sitting from the 360 while playing?
I sit 10 feet away from it, maybe a little more since it's off to the side of the TV.
Maklershed
11-08-2007, 01:45 PM
I you're just unlucky then. Cause the only time I hear it at my house or my friend's house is when tvs arent turned on yet but the console is.
Cyb3-rr
11-08-2007, 01:50 PM
A blender? Are you serious? That's just insane, or you've never actually heard a blender.
I don't even have my speakers yet, and am only using the TV speakers. Even at low volumes, the noise from the 360 is barely noticeable.
Maybe you're right and my hearing is severely damaged.
BTW, I sit less than 8 feet from the 360. Maybe you need to get an A/V rack with closing glass doors or something?
dmaul1114
11-08-2007, 01:54 PM
Maybe you need to get an A/V rack with closing glass doors or something?
That's probably a bad idea giving the console's overheating problems.
Slate
11-08-2007, 01:55 PM
Before you buy one just check to see when it was made through the little flap on the top of the box. The newer the better, Just don't buy one that was made before 8-08-07. Or you could buy one that has Forza 2 and Marvel bundled in, Those ones should be new enough.
dmaul1114
11-08-2007, 01:57 PM
Before you buy one just check to see when it was made through the little flap on the top of the box. The newer the better, Just don't buy one that was made before 8-08-07.
That's no guarantee of getting a quiet one though. Mine was made 9-8-07 and it quite loud.
I've learned to tune it out, so it doesn't drive me as nuts at it does Wolfpup, but it is still distracting at times.
Wolfpup
11-08-2007, 01:59 PM
Geez, it really sounds like there's a big mixture of consoles out there (or else hearing loss).
Guess the best I can do is just get a new one. I'll try to get one made late September or newer. I don't need it quite yet. I've got one more PS2 game left, so I might pick it up next week, or possibly hang on a bit longer just to see if there are any specials (like the gift cards offered last year).
Slate
11-08-2007, 02:04 PM
Geez, it really sounds like there's a big mixture of consoles out there (or else hearing loss).
Guess the best I can do is just get a new one. I'll try to get one made late September or newer. I don't need it quite yet. I've got one more PS2 game left, so I might pick it up next week, or possibly hang on a bit longer just to see if there are any specials (like the gift cards offered last year).
You do realize that black friday is two weeks away, Right? If you want one you'd better pick it up ASAP.
ighosty
11-08-2007, 02:23 PM
:D This is honestly my biggest problem with the 360. If this thing were whisper quiet I'd think it was an awesome console, but I don't want to hear my electronics.
my biggest problem is hardware failures, I think most would agree.
The newer Xbox 360 uses both benq and hitachi
eswat
11-08-2007, 02:32 PM
I have my 360 in an entertainment center with a glass door. It helps a lot with the noise, but it's roomy enough that I think it has enough breathing room (there's no back to the area either), and is the only electronic I have in there too.
I have a 360 that's prone to RRoD, but it hasn't happened yet (though I've only had mine since May).
PyroGamer
11-08-2007, 05:26 PM
That's no guarantee of getting a quiet one though.
There is no such thing as "a quiet one".
umcthomas
11-08-2007, 05:38 PM
I recently moved my 360 to an different place on my entertainment center and the noise is MUCH louder. I think that the acoustics of placement makes the difference. If it's in an enclosed area with lots of room to through sound back at you then it will probably be louder.
PyroGamer
11-08-2007, 05:53 PM
I recently moved my 360 to an different place on my entertainment center and the noise is MUCH louder. I think that the acoustics of placement makes the difference. If it's in an enclosed area with lots of room to through sound back at you then it will probably be louder.
I keep mine in a snare drum for maximum ventilation.
sp00ge
11-08-2007, 05:56 PM
Put in another room and run extra long cables to the TV?
help1
11-08-2007, 07:29 PM
I hate headphones. I'll take my 5.1 sound at a lower volume before dealing with headphones. And I don't mean nearly muted, just not blasting loud. :D
Plus a lot of late night gaming is online and can't use headphones and the headset anyway.
Yes you can...
apokalipze2
11-08-2007, 07:48 PM
Get a ps3 and stop bitching
Best thing to do is turn it off.
necrojustice
11-08-2007, 08:10 PM
Turn the system off, Voila!
MeanMuenster
11-08-2007, 08:32 PM
This whole thread I couldn't stop thinkin about an old zefrank episode
From 0:41 - 1:08
http://www.zefrank.com/theshow/archives/2006/05/050806.html
On the more on-topic side, I've done a fair amount of research into this as well, and haven't found any non-warranty voiding solutions.
Wolfpup
11-08-2007, 09:22 PM
Turning the system off is about as useful a suggestion as turning the volume up. Geez :lol:
I was hoping they'd have fixed this by now. Unfortunately the 360 has a lot more exclusives that I want than the PS3 (although I will have to get one of those for Final Fantasy 13).
SpazX
11-09-2007, 12:39 AM
I have the BENQ and it's pretty loud, but it's not that terrible. I don't pay that much attention to it.
The faster the drive the more noise it's going to make. You can only dampen it so much when using standard drives. So unless they start making custom DVD drives or something it's always going to be pretty loud.