PSU noise, video within.

martinoheat

martinoheat

martinoheat

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I have an AMD 7950 and a R9 280x in my PC.

I have noticed that when the 280x is running (either with the 7950 removed from the case, or when both cards are fitted), the PSU gives out a strange noise. Can anyone explain it and give me a solution to silence it?

I doubt that my power supply is struggling for power, as it is a 750w XFX PRO power supply, and my power meter at the plug indicates that the Maximum my PC has ever pulled from the wall is 640w.

Here is the video. Notice that when i put the microphone near to the PSU, the noise is loud, and when i pull it away, the noise quietens; therefore the noise is coming from the power supply, not the graphics card.
 
I like that diagnosis. I'll take it apart and fit a new fan tomorrow. (i've already well and truly voided the warranty when i braided the cables.)

I'll post back my findings for future searchers.


Thanks guys!
 
martinoheat said:
Bump. Any ideas?
Click to expand...


If it only happens with the 280X running at lots of frames, then I'd say coil whine. Try using separate cables from the PSU to the graphics card, use a frame limiter (in game) or enable vsync. You can also try running in the problem coil by running something like Valley Benchmark over night.

If that doesn't work, then it's a case of changing the graphics card or PSU.
 
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thanks Steampunk,

when you say separate cables, what do you mean? - my PSU is semi-modular, and the two cables feeding the GPU are modular ones.

I'll try using a frame limiter/vsync, then running Valley Bench overnight.
EDIT: i've left my PC to mine crypto coins in the past, would that have had the same effect as running Valley Bench?

i did have another 280x which i returned due to thermal throttling (it controlled the temp by throttling instead of increasing fan speed), and the same noise was present, which suggests that the problem is the PSU, NOT the GPU, would you agree?


If it does come to buying a new PSU, do you have any recommendations?
I think i need 800w minimum, to power my PC (and have enough to last a few years as i add hard drives, SSDs, RAM, etc.)
 
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martinoheat said:
thanks Steampunk,

when you say separate cables, what do you mean? - my PSU is semi-modular, and the two cables feeding the GPU are modular ones.
Click to expand...

Some PSUs have Y-cables where you have one plug at the PSU, and two plugs at the graphics card. Some people have found that if you use two separate cables (ie two plugs at the PSU, each leading to one power socket on the graphics cards), then you will be using two separate pickups from the rail in the PSU, and this can stop the coil whine.

martinoheat said:
I'll try using a frame limiter/vsync, then running Valley Bench overnight.
EDIT: i've left my PC to mine crypto coins in the past, would that have had the same effect as running Valley Bench?
Click to expand...

Yes it would. The idea is to run the whining coil for long enough and hard enough to make it wear in. As it's caused by a vibration, you can stress it to the point where the vibration goes away or gets a lot quieter over time. Crytpcoin mining will have the same effect.

martinoheat said:
i did have another 280x which i returned due to thermal throttling (it controlled the temp by throttling instead of increasing fan speed), and the same noise was present, which suggests that the problem is the PSU, NOT the GPU, would you agree?
Click to expand...

It's often a combination of both. The GPU is pulling so much power, it causes coil whine either at the GPU or the PSU. You seem to have pinned the problem component down the the PSU. Definitely try two separate power cables from the PSU to the card, though this does depend on the internals of the PSU

martinoheat said:
If it does come to buying a new PSU, do you have any recommendations?
I think i need 800w minimum, to power my PC (and have enough to last a few years as i add hard drives, SSDs, RAM, etc.)
Click to expand...

Superflower and Seasonic are probably the best at the moment, they don't stint on quality, and have very good specs. They make PSUs for other companies, and pull out all the stops for their own products. I'd probably put the new BeQuiet units manufactured by FSF next, then some of the Antecs.

You can check here if you want to see who makes what for whom. Be aware that companies might make PSUs down to a spec for rebadging, but Superflower and Seasonic do the opposite for their own brand products by using higher spec components.
 
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martinoheat said:
Also, is XFX lesser quality for PSUs than other brands, or have i just been unlucky?
Click to expand...

A lot of people have good things to say about XFX PSUs, but Overclockers don't stock XFX because of issues with their RMA service. AFAICR, XFX don't make their own PSUs and get them made by other people. The problem with this is that quality can vary between models and can change over time.

I think you've not so much been unlucky, as the R280 with it's high power requirements has shown up shortcomings in what is otherwise an adequate power supply.

PSU's have had to change over the last few years because of GPUs. Manufacturers started putting in separate power rails for feeding GPUs, but now they've gone back to one big rail that can supply power in more flexible ways depending on requirements. That single rail has multiple pickups and is specced higher than the norms a few years ago.
 
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If you have whining / resonating coils, and have already voided your warranty, then simple fix is to open the psu and cover them with a hot glue gun, wait for the glue to cool down and set before using the psu again, it's what we used to do with whinning coils on older motherboards.

Obviously there is no hazard as the glue can reach stupid temps and is a plastic like substance when dry, therefore, non conductive, you find the same type of thing in the back of TV's.

I think it was back in my days of overclocking x38 boards we used to get resonating coils, bit of glue always fixed the problem.
 
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XFX internals are Seasonic ,and they are very good quality PSUs

Although I did read ( somewhere) that the triple X model/s did suffer with " clicking" , have to say though all the XFX PSU's I have used have been top notch , used about 6 all in all ...never been any issues
 
Steampunk said:
A lot of people have good things to say about XFX PSUs, but Overclockers don't stock XFX because of issues with their RMA service. AFAICR, XFX don't make their own PSUs and get them made by other people. The problem with this is that quality can vary between models and can change over time.
Click to expand...

All XFX PSU's are made by Seasonic

...ah, you beat me to it :D
 
Steampunk said:
Some PSUs have Y-cables where you have one plug at the PSU, and two plugs at the graphics card. Some people have found that if you use two separate cables (ie two plugs at the PSU, each leading to one power socket on the graphics cards), then you will be using two separate pickups from the rail in the PSU, and this can stop the coil whine.
Click to expand...

ah, right. my PSU doesn't have such cables, they are all separate.



Steampunk said:
Yes it would. The idea is to run the whining coil for long enough and hard enough to make it wear in. As it's caused by a vibration, you can stress it to the point where the vibration goes away or gets a lot quieter over time. Crytpcoin mining will have the same effect.
Click to expand...
I guess that if that would have had any effect, it would have worked by now? - i've mined for about a month for about 22hrs per day at least.


From what you've said, i guess that if i did go for a new PSU, then i'd probably go Seasonic.





Jamin280672 said:
If you have whining / resonating coils, and have already voided your warranty, then simple fix is to open the psu and cover them with a hot glue gun, wait for the glue to cool down and set before using the psu again, it's what we used to do with whinning coils on older motherboards.

Obviously there is no hazard as the glue can reach stupid temps and is a plastic like substance when dry, therefore, non conductive, you find the same type of thing in the back of TV's.

I think it was back in my days of overclocking x38 boards we used to get resonating coils, bit of glue always fixed the problem.
Click to expand...

OOH! I like that idea very much!! I will have to give it a go, if it works, you've just saved me £100!

One question though - would the glue act as a heat insulator, and if it did, is that a problem?
 
You don't need that much, just a small blob, I don't mean completely cover the coils in glue. something like this........

As you can see in the picture, it doesn't matter either if you get a little on other components.

The 2nd picture is a bit overkill, but you get the idea.



 
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