I just picked up the L410 for my workplace. I have to say it's a really nice little machine. I wouldn't call it totally silent, but it's pretty quiet IMO. The outboard power supply certainly helps. There are 2 small onboard fans, but they're running slow enough to be unobtrusive. What really surpris...

ZZF has the passive 6600 (non-gt) for $154 shipped: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322276 and the 6600GT for $219 shipped: http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=322273 Personally, I'm getting the non-gt for HTPC use since I won't be doing much gamin...

I was surprised to find that my 1604N came with AAM disabled.

The Toshiba M1712 is often recommended on the HTPC forum at AVS. I have one and find DVD playback to be very quiet - much more so than my old Pioneer 104s.

Noticeable whine (with case closed, about 1 meter away): None Noticeable whine (with ear next to harddrive): faint Model Number: SP1604N Supplier: Newegg Month of purchase: June 2004 Motor: Nidec FDB Revision: A Date of Manufacturing: Dec 2003 Any other relevant/interesting info: No This is my first...