Graphics card screeching/buzzing, replace capacitors?

[jak731]

My 4890 makes annoying noises when i'm web browsing, particularly when scrolling or there are smooth moving flash adverts. I don't notice it when gaming or watching videos. I know it is the card rather than something else as this was the best card out of three 4890s in terms of overclockability and the other 2 didn't have the problem. My computer is fairly quiet and sits on the desk so it's quite annoying, I probably should have kept a different card.

Anyway I have read that capacitors themselves cannot make noise but if the leak to much current or don't smooth voltage well enough they make other components like inductors squeal. This is an image of the card (i've modded the original heatsink base to cool the ram and fitted a thermalright vrm2 and T-rad2, didn't change the noise):

There are no coils to be seen so I'm not entirely sure where the noise itself emanates from. The capacitors are rated at 330uf and 16v, I'm thinking of replacing them with these rubycon 330uf 25v 105c capacitors to see if the noise goes away. I haven't done surface mount soldering before but i do have a precision soldering iron. I know the rubycon capacitors aren't surface mounting but I was thinking I could stick them down with hot glue then solder them.

Has anyone had experience doing this, did it fix the problem? Any reason not to besides I might fluff it up with bad soldering?

 

[jak731]

No one had this problem and found a fix?

 

[mmj_uk]

If you're absolutely sure it's the card and not the PSU and you don't mind potentially bricking the card I guess it's worth a try? is it wise using wrong voltage rated capacitors though?

Why did you hold onto this particular card and not one of the others if they weren't affected? could it be that this card overclocks further so is pushing the PSU harder and making it squeal more?

 

[L33]

The capacitors are rated at 330uf and 16v, I'm thinking of replacing them with these rubycon 330uf 25v 105c capacitors to see if the noise goes away. I haven't done surface mount soldering before but i do have a precision soldering iron. I know the rubycon capacitors aren't surface mounting but I was thinking I could stick them down with hot glue then solder them.

Higher voltage caps will be fine. Although those you've linked to seem massively overpriced.
Hopefully when you say you can glue them down you mean glue the body of the cap down, and not glue instead of soldering?!
Just desolder the old one(s), adding some new solder first will help greatly. Slide the legs of the new caps through the holes until the cap is as close to the board as possible, solder and cut excess off of the legs.

 

[jak731]

If you're absolutely sure it's the card and not the PSU and you don't mind potentially bricking the card I guess it's worth a try? is it wise using wrong voltage rated capacitors though?

Why did you hold onto this particular card and not one of the others if they weren't affected? could it be that this card overclocks further so is pushing the PSU harder and making it squeal more?

Although I kept the best ocing card I'm not actually ocing it at the moment rolleyes: at myself), and it's most noticeable at 2d clocks (lower power).

It's perfectly fine to use higher V rated caps, just means they pop at higher voltage. It's also fine to use higher capacitance caps although it might increase the inrush current if you go really ott (most electrolytics have an error of 50% anyway).

Higher voltage caps will be fine. Although those you've linked to seem massively overpriced.
Hopefully when you say you can glue them down you mean glue the body of the cap down, and not glue instead of soldering?!
Just desolder the old one(s), adding some new solder first will help greatly. Slide the legs of the new caps through the holes until the cap is as close to the board as possible, solder and cut excess off of the legs.

Rubycon are supposedly one of the best manufacturers, although they may be overpriced £2.25 for 4 wouldn't break the bank

The caps on there at the moment are actually surface mounted so there are no holes through the pcb, the glue is to hold the body of the caps onto other components as the solder joints won't hold them that securely and they are a little tall anyway.

 

[L33]

Rubycon are supposedly one of the best manufacturers, although they may be overpriced £2.25 for 4 wouldn't break the bank

The caps on there at the moment are actually surface mounted so there are no holes through the pcb, the glue is to hold the body of the caps onto other components as the solder joints won't hold them that securely and they are a little tall anyway.

My bad, didn't realise that was for a set of 4 caps, I thought they were after £2.25 each
Ah ok in that case I'd probably do the same as you suggest, bend legs and lay the caps horizontally with a dab of hot glue to hold in place, soldering the legs directly to the pads.
Let us know how you get on and whether it solves the squealing noises