Definition of Quiet PC
A quiet, silent or fanless PC is a personal computer that makes very little or no noise. Common uses for quiet PCs include video editing, sound mixing and home theater PCs, but noise reduction techniques can also be used to greatly reduce the noise from servers. There is currently no standard definition for a "quiet PC", and the term is generally not used in a business context, but by individuals and the businesses catering to them.
A proposed general definition is that the sound emitted by such PCs should not exceed 30 dBA, but in addition to the average sound pressure level, the frequency spectrum and dynamics of the sound are important in determining if the sound of the computer is noticed. Sounds with a smooth frequency spectrum (lacking audible tonal peaks), and little temporal variation are less likely to be noticed. The character and amount of other noise in the environment also affects how much sound will be noticed or masked, so a computer may be quiet in relation to a particular environment or set of users.
Terms mentioned above
Related terms
Noise curve
Noise curves are a common way to characterise background noise in unoccupied buildings…
Quiet Mark (certification)
Quiet Mark is a UK-based international certification programme for products assessed as…
Buy Quiet
Buy Quiet is an American health and safety initiative to select and purchase the lowest…
Noise reduction coefficient
The noise reduction coefficient (commonly abbreviated NRC) is a single-number rating…
Sound attenuator
A sound attenuator, or duct silencer, sound trap, or muffler, is a noise control…
Acoustic foam
Acoustic foam is an open-celled foam used for acoustic treatment. It attenuates airborne…
Noise print
A noise print is part of a technique used in noise reduction. A noise print is commonly…
Quiet area
"Quiet area" or "quiet areas" is a concept used in landscape planning to highlight areas…
Active noise control
Active noise control (ANC), also known as noise cancellation (NC), or active noise…
Questions people ask
Real questions from the Stack Exchange community – follow a link to read the discussion.
- Why does moderately distant lightning sound the way it does: relatively quiet high pitched thunder first, and then much louder low pitched thunder? · Physics SE
- Quiet Ambience Recording Tips · Sound Design SE
- Why are all my recordings fuzzy and quiet!? · Sound Design SE
- I found an audio circuit and I built it just fine, but I find it a bit too quiet. How do I amplify the output so that it is a bit louder? · Electronics SE
- Christmas day = dead quiet city. what to record? · Sound Design SE
- Getting ambience when it is really quiet. · Sound Design SE
Frequently asked questions
What is Quiet PC?
A quiet, silent or fanless PC is a personal computer that makes very little or no noise. Common uses for quiet PCs include video editing, sound mixing and home theater PCs, but noise reduction techniques can also be used to greatly reduce the noise from…
Sources & credits
- Wikipedia: Quiet PC – CC BY-SA 4.0
- Image by Verbcatcher – CC BY-SA 4.0