Fan Noise with M11x R3

I am looking at purchasing an M11x R3 (the i7 model w/ 8gb of ram and standard mechanical HDD...no SSD). In addition to gaming, I will be using it for note taking and some excel/statistical programs in class at school. I am curious as to how loud the fan is on the M11x R3...specifically when it's using the integrated graphics.

Way back in the day I had an alienware sentia and the fan was way too loud. I'm hoping these new ULV CPUs have cured that, at least partially.

Thanks in advance!

 

It kicks in in bursts only when above 60-65 degrees.

Its never on lightly it only has two modes: "off" and "max" and max isnt too bad its momentary as needed which is good because I tested and the computer hits 100 degrees in 3-5min without the fan. This isnt your old school hardware. It gets hot fast. You need the fan.

But as far as integrated graphics goes with basic things like maplestory and terraria its hardly on.

 

Max sounds scary...lol. If it only turns on for a few seconds every 30 mins or so I suppose I will be alright. I just don't want to become that kid in class where every 10 minutes his computer turns into a hair dryer.

 

Haha no not that loud. As far as in class it shouldnt turn on.

On integrated it hardly turns on... especially for notes.

 

Awesome...thanks so much man. I've been reading some online reviews and they all say "hair dryer" and I flash back to the sentia. I assumed they meant fan noise during gaming and not integrated graphical use, but I wanted to be sure. I'm going to go ahead and order it. So long as I don't feel the need to bust into some BF:BC2 action amid note taking I should be fine.

 

Yeah to compare. I have been browsing for an hour and have not had the fan kick in once.

When it kicks in during SC2 I can't hear it over the TV. Its not crazy loud either.

 

One last question...is there a certain command sequence to manually switch from integrated to dedicated graphics (ex. Fn + F6)? Or does it just switch over automatically?

 

It switches automatically. You can choose what uses nvidia and what doesnt in the control panel.

 

The fan kiks on every now and then. My cpu atm is: 46C and HD is:34c... you can barely notice then fan.

And a plus with alienware systems is they stay practically cool. Never got over 120degrees Fahrenheit.

 

I originally dreaded the fan noise of the R3 too, but in all honesty it's not that bad, and only when gaming. It makes sure I don't get bored in class and start playing Assassin's Creed...

 

Ya as long as your not gaming in the middle of class, you should be fine. It is pretty quiet, but it might get a little annoying if your in somewhere super quiet like a study room or something.

 

There is actually at least 3 fan speeds from what I've noticed. Off, low, and full blast. Mine normally sits at low since I run a 1080p monitor most of the time. When not hooked up to the monitor though and I'm doing basic intel chip stuff it hardly seems to kick on, if at all.

While gaming though it does sound like a hairdryer. Headphones are a must for me if it isn't docked.

 

Pretty much the R3 is Dr Jeckyl/Mr Hyde. It's really silent when not gaming, but runs full blast when gaming.