Considering buying xbox 360, but how loud is it?

[andysc]

I'm seriously considering buying a xbox 360 (even though the updated version will be released in the near future). Can any owners comment on the sound issue? I've heard that the machine/drive runs pretty loud.

[e²Studios]

Have you ever heard a jet on approach? That would give you a good idea of the sound.

Ed

[Carlsen]

The fans themselves aren't really bad. But the DVD-drive is very noisy. However, 360's are now made with a BenQ drive that's alot less noisy than the old Samsung and Hitachi drives.

I have one with the old drives, and it doesn't really bother me. I just compensate by turning up the volume :)

[andysc]

lol, jet on approach. how loud is the 360 compared to a normal upright vacuum cleaner?

Is there any way to tell which DVD drive the 360 has before I buy it? Is there anything on the box (part number, serial, etc.)? Also, I've heard microsoft is releasing some type of update to slow the drive down, thus decreasing the noise.

[raggedjimmi]

It's more than audiable when the TV is on the normal game play volume. Though there are supposedly new systems out that combat the noise issue, unfortunately we don't have one!

[e-clipse]

it is about as noisy as a PC tower.

[huck500]

The fans themselves aren't really bad. But the DVD-drive is very noisy. However, 360's are now made with a BenQ drive that's alot less noisy than the old Samsung and Hitachi drives.

I have one with the old drives, and it doesn't really bother me. I just compensate by turning up the volume :)

Crackdown is the first game where I really noticed the noise.. it seriously sounds like the thing is on the verge of blowing up. I never noticed it with other games.

All the 360s manufactured after November '06 are the new drive... a comment on Gizmodo said that you can see the manufacture date by looking at the open window where the serial number shows, the date is above the serial number.

Here's the article:

Link (http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/how-to-tell-if-you-have-the-quiet-xbox-360-dvd-236401.php)

I just confirmed by looking at my 360... Above the serial number is a bar code, above that are two lines of numbers, the manufacture date is above those. 2006-04-04 is the format. Might be hard to see them through the window.

[andysc]

Thanks. Still debating whether to get a 360 now or wait until the new version comes out. Don't know if it will be worth it other than the HDMI port.

[combatcolin]

Wait, give it a month or 2 and a HDMI equipped 360 will be out with a much bigger HD.

Save your pennies for then, its what im doing.

[Freyqq]

its noisy but you get use to it

[2nyRiggz]

The new models are not that loud but they do have "Shut the hell up" moments.





Bless

[gamerz]

Wow... alot of this information sint true... it isnta loud at all... sometimes it can be like a computer and spike up a little bit... but no... it isnt as loud as a jet approach... lol

[Fearless Leader]

Wow... alot of this information sint true... it isnta loud at all... sometimes it can be like a computer and spike up a little bit... but no... it isnt as loud as a jet approach... lol

sarcasm? ever consider it?

It was loud, but i put a nvidia 7800 in my G5 and that thing is SOO DAMN LOUD.

[Artful Dodger]

Well, I'm on my fourth 360 and 2 of the four were very quiet. This new one is very quiet but it really depends on the game. The more the game taxes the drive/system the louder it gets but not enough to make me nuts :cool: Mine was made Nov. 6/2006 with the new drive and you can't tell it's even on. The only game so far that makes it rev up is Oblivion but it does it on all my friends 360's as well.
So it is really up to you if you want to wait or get one now and take the chance of getting a newer model or old stock. Good luck ;)

[shadowmoses]

I just got a 360 manufacture date of December/06 and it has the noisy Hitachi drive inside....So don't be too sure of getting the new quiet drive!!!

The noise itself though isn't to bad its sort of an industrial whooshing and not a whining. I wouldn't let the noise stop you buying they are selling at amazing prices now and they are great fun online and off line with the stunning choice of games at the moment...

ShaDow

[johnmartin78]

The 360 it quite possibly the loudest thing ever.You might want to invest in a pair of blacksmiths tongs to remove game disc from the drive,so you don't burn youself.

[Mackilroy]

The 360 it quite possibly the loudest thing ever.You might want to invest in a pair of blacksmiths tongs to remove game disc from the drive,so you don't burn youself.
Your 360 discs burn you? Shocking! Please post pictures immediately!

:p

[ReanimationLP]

How to warm yourself using a 360 :

Play a game for a few hours. Preferably Crackdown.

Eject the disc, hold disc aganist skin for warmth. Use cloth between two items. OR

Hug your 360. Because you know you love him deep down inside. :)

[me hate windows]

Just so you all know, it is still possible to get a 360 with one of the louder drives in it. As of January at least, Hitachi drives were still being manufactured and put into Xbox's, as shown here: Linky (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEZkEAEEpARHKneMRT.php)
So don't expect it to have the newer and quiter BenQ drive.

[shadowmoses]

Just so you all know, it is still possible to get a 360 with one of the louder drives in it. As of January at least, Hitachi drives were still being manufactured and put into Xbox's, as shown here: Linky (http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEZkEAEEpARHKneMRT.php)
So don't expect it to have the newer and quiter BenQ drive.

Defiantly the case as I found out to my expense, if you really want a BenQ drive wait a little longer (for stock turnaround) maybe a month or so and you will be guaranteed on. Otherwise its a risk. (worth taking because 360's are awesome)

ShadoW

[MacRumorUser]

I have a premium bought launch day Dec 2005, and it's fairly loud alright, especially considering I have just bought a Jan 2007 model and it is a damn sight quieter, the new models are about the same noise as a PS3.

If your buying now, then I guess you will be getting the quieter model.

[Foxglove9]

I don't feel my xbox360 is that loud where it distracts from gaming and I keep it about 1 foot away from me. It's only noisy with a disc playing in the machine. The person who said it's about as loud as a PC tower is right. My Powermac G5 is a lot noisier than the 360.

[Willis]

I got my Xbox around November, and its loud.. You can here it while game menu music is playing.. In comparison to a PS2, its about 2/3 times as loud.

[MacRumorUser]

^ well yeah obviously its louder than a PS2, but heck even the Wii is louder than a PS2.



But put it this way. Why be so concerned about noise ? Are you planning on playing this with NO sound on ? If so then yes you will hear it. But if you have the sound on your TV turned on to a comfortable level (not loud by anymeans) then it's not a problem.

And if you have 5.1 hooked up even less so.

Basically the new 360's are the same volume as a PS3 and both are a bit louder than an old Xbox which is a bit louder than a Wii which in turn is louder than an PS2 which in turn is louder than an old gamecube which is louder than a Slim PS2....

But at the end of the day, does it really matter that much to you. Are you buying a console based on how loud it is, or what games are available. If its the former, then your priorty is a bit messed up. ;) :)

[Nicolasdec]

not that loud

[Counterfit]

Your 360 discs burn you? Shocking! Please post pictures immediately!

:p

Might not be possible. I bet the IR radiation from the disc would fog the film (or distort the signal from the sensors). :p

[coffey7]

It makes zero sound. When I play I have the sound in the game up and you don't hear a thing. It is not as loud as a normal pc.

[raggedjimmi]

It makes zero sound. When I play I have the sound in the game up and you don't hear a thing. It is not as loud as a normal pc.

Where can I get one of these 360s? I'll trade my unicorn for one.