AlienWare X51 System Review (Core i7)

We have changed our method of measuring noise levels. Ambient noise in the room is around 20-25dBa. We measure from a distance of around 1 meter from the closed chassis and 4 foot from the ground to mirror a real world situation.

Why do this? Well this means we can eliminate secondary noise pollution in the test room and concentrate on only the system. It also brings us slightly closer to industry standards, such as DIN 45635.

KitGuru noise guide
10dBA – Normal Breathing/Rustling Leaves
20-25dBA – Whisper
30dBA – High Quality Computer fan
40dBA – A Bubbling Brook, or a Refridgerator
50dBA – Normal Conversation
60dBA – Laughter
70dBA – Vacuum Cleaner or Hairdryer
80dBA – City Traffic or a Garbage Disposal
90dBA – Motorcycle or Lawnmower
100dBA – MP3 player at maximum output
110dBA – Orchestra
120dBA – Front row rock concert/Jet Engine
130dBA – Threshold of Pain
140dBA – Military Jet takeoff/Gunshot (close range)
160dBA – Instant Perforation of eardrum

The Alienware X51 isn't the quietest system we have tested. That said, when watching a high definition movie file, it hovered between 33.3 dBa and 34.8 dBa.

You can certainly hear that it is on most of the time, however when idling the fans drop to almost inaudible levels.

When tasked with Prime and Furmark, the fans spin up fast to compensate for rising temperatures.

We wouldn't say this system would be ideal to be left on 24/7 in a bedroom environment. For a living room however it is ideal.

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