PC firm offers Ultra-Quiet Xbox 360
Console redesigned to reduce noise
If you’re sick of reaching for the earplugs each time you turn on your Xbox 360, a solution's now available: the Ultra-Quiet Xbox 360.
The Ultra-Quiet Xbox 360
PC customisation firm Quiet PC has begun selling a redesigned Xbox 360, which essentially sees an off-the-shelf model taken apart and put into a specialist case – in addition to several technical modifications.
Admittedly, the new case, the Lian Li XB-01BM, is twice the size of the console itself. But by spreading out the console’s components out in a well-ventilated case, the manufacturer’s claimed that less noise is produced.
Each Xbox 360 has two 80mm fans that produce a combined 48db of noise, according to Quiet PC. But by replacing this with a single 120mm fan – positioned on an specialist anti-vibration mount - and peppering the case with air holes, the firm’s promised you’ll be “amazed at the reduction of noise levels”.
Ultra-Quiet Xbox 360s have a different cooling system to Microsoft's design
But since the optical drive produces a fair bit of noise too, the firm will place acoustic foam in strategic places to help further reduce noise and vibration. The case’s silicone feet also help to aid noise reduction some more.
It’s worth noting that Quiet PC doesn't promise to deliver you a silent Xbox 360, but the redesign does sound like it’ll reduce much of the noise.
All three Xbox 360 models are available online as resigned quiet running consoles, with prices starting at £307 ($435/€339) for the Arcade. ®
COMMENTS
360 vs ps3
All 360 games can be installed to hard drive so long as you have the latest firmware- going right the way back to Perfect Dark Zero, to current games that have only just been released.. FEAR 2.
I've got a 120gb HDD in mine, is fantastic..
I own both but i've bought nearly all the dual format titles on the 360, the PS3 doesn't seem to quite be upto it.
I'm sure in the end once someone figures out how to get the most from the PS3 it'll be an awesome machine, but right now it just can't compete with the 360 for gaming - though it has to be said my PS3 with Bluray remote and PlayTV (+500gb HDD) is a fantastic media centre.
contd..
Oh and to be fair i found an old xbox 360 harddrive on ebay and bought a 120gb HDD from ebuyer and swapped the put the 120 drive in the 360's drive case. You can have as many games installed at a time as your hard drive will hold - i think the average 360 game uses about 6gigs of space.
confused.
If you cared about noise, reliability or performance, wouldn't you just buy a PS3? I mean it's got all the notable exclusives this year.
