It seems to me that normal PCs without water cooling and without specifically modded gfx-card-fans are the vacuum cleaners among the home electronics, especially when playing a gfx heavy game. (Which it appears is pretty much every game that's released today 🙂
I have been thinking that a gaming laptop could provide some value on the noise front at a higher price, but without the hassle I'd have to go through screwing a "silent" machine together myself. (obviously plus the added mobility + space-saving bonus)
So – the short question is, and I really think it shouldn't be too subjective: Are gaming laptops "loud" while playing a modern game?
- Loud compared to an average box sitting under the desk?
- Loud compared to the same laptop when only surfing?
Best Answer
Notebooks have the advantage that they use less power than an average gaming PC. They generally use a more efficient, but less powerful CPU and GPU. A notebook has also space-restrictions which make cooling more difficult. A gaming notebook with a high-end GPU will be loud, and still less powerful than a budget gaming computer.
A mid-range graphics card uses something like 75-150 Watts of power, that heat has to go somewhere and it is easier to get rid of quietly in a desktop than in a cramped notebook. Modern GPU use very little power in idle, so they should be quiet when not gaming.
You can get aftermarket coolers for graphics cards that are pretty quiet, if you don't want to attach them yourself and risk your warranty you can also buy cards with alternate cooling directly.