New PSU - weird noise when at idle

[Turbo Ben]

HI all.

I've just started to get parts together for a new system. I'm looking to go direct die water cooled so wanted to run everything before I start delidding to make sure it all works.

Everything is working but I've noticed a weird noise coming from the PSU (gigabyte UD1300 GM - 1300W Gold). It's like a quiet crackling noise with occasional clicking. Sounds like a small electrical arc. It only does it when the system is at idle. As soon as I run cinebench the noise stops, but returns when the test finishes. Note that my idle power will be very low as I don't currently have a GPU installed.

It's not the fan as at idle the fan does not spin. Although I have seen it spin up for a short period even when not under load.

I've also noticed what I can only describe as a hot electrical smell. It's not a strong smell and is maybe just because the unit is brand new.

I contacted gigabyte a few days ago but haven't had a reply yet.

Is this something I need to be concerned about or is it normal when running a large PSU at such a low wattage?

 

[pastymuncher]

I wouldn't touch a Gigabyte psu with a bargepole after one of their psu series started blowing up or were dead on arrival and they initially refused to admit that there was a problem with them. Even when they did release a statement they still didn't accept that there was a problem. Eventually they offered a refund or exchange but only for certain serial numbers even though the whole series was affected. The whole fiasco could have been avoided if Gigabyte owned up and did the right thing straight away instead of burying their heads in the sands and hoping it would go away and in doing so tarnishing their reputation.

If that psu is less than 14 days old return it for a refund and buy a better one from a decent brand. It's not a particularly good psu anyway, yet again they have cheaped out on the capacitors and the cables are poor, especially the EPS cable as they have stuck two connectors on the same lead and the wires are only 18awg instead of 16awg, same thing with the 6+2 pin pci-e leads. The oem is MEIC who I have never even heard of.

 

[Turbo Ben]

Hi, thanks for the good info. Now you mention it I do remember the GN videos of the GB PSU's exploding.

Think I'll go for something else.

I've contacted the company I bought it off and they won't accept the 14 day return as I've used the PSU. They offered a discount or I can return it for a refund pending an inspection. I don't trust them so I'll chase Gigabyte up (still haven't had a reply, been 4 days now). Also just tried signing up for gigabyte forums but have to wait for someone to activate the account. God knows how long that's going to take. Not impressed so far with the after sales service.

 

[Tetras]

Everything is working but I've noticed a weird noise coming from the PSU (gigabyte UD1300 GM - 1300W Gold). It's like a quiet crackling noise with occasional clicking. Sounds like a small electrical arc. It only does it when the system is at idle.

A quick browse on reddit suggests that this is something other users have experienced, but unfortunately there's no answer.

I believe that some PSUs have additional circuitry/parts specifically for lowering their idle power consumption, but I don't know if the Gigabyte has these parts, or if they could account for the noises you're hearing.