Slight problem

S.T.F.U · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:10

Hi, I have just finished building myself a gaming rig. I bought the last component of it today (the GPU) but I have a slight problem...

When the system is idling on desktop there isn't a problem at all, the system is quite near silent. However when starting any game there is a slightly odd noise that comes from within the case, sort of like a buzzing. Sounds as though it's coming from the GPU. Performance of the PC is brilliant whiles't gaming and all settings in game can be set to maximum without any hiccups. The sound coming from within the case is quite annoying, anybody any ideas on this matter?

Gigabyte GA-Z77X-D3H
MSI Geforce 670 Power Edition OC 2GB
Corsair 1600MHz Vengeance 8GB
Corsair 120GB SSD
Corsair GS 700W Gaming Series PSU
Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4GHz
Thermaltake Armor Revo Snow Edition

Nothing is overclocked (yet

)

Fire_fly · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:26

Sounds like a case of capacitor / coil whine.

I'm not sure how you go about fixing it though. Might be worth having a quick Google to find an answer.

S.T.F.U · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:42

Thanks for the help, from what I'm reading online it could be either the GPU or the PSU. If it is capacitor/coil whine would that damage the card in the long run? I mean, it is quite annoying but I could probably get used to it after a day or two.

Fire_fly · 20 Oct 2012 at 20:50

Best idea would be to take the side off the case and have a listen inside, you should be able to work out where the sound is coming from.

As for replacing the item I don't think coil whine is valid reason for an RMA. Although if you bought the components online within the last week you could always see about returning them under DSR.

GamingRealist · 20 Oct 2012 at 23:09

Could be a coil whine - therefore would be harmless.

Attu90 · 21 Oct 2012 at 00:15

Take the grapics card out (use the onboard graphics) and see if it still does it, should help with your process of elimination.

KompuKare · 21 Oct 2012 at 00:21

Attu90 said:
Take the grapics card out (use the onboard graphics) and see if it still does it, should help with your process of elimination.

Well in theory anyway. What I mean is, say it is the PSU but only under a certain load. In fact in theory, it may be possible to get a whine from the PSU under a certain load but with only the graphic card loaded and not the CPU if the 12V for the card comes of a different rail from the PSU...

Having said all that, the graphic card is far more likely. Anecdotally, high FPS seem to cause whine from GPU coils so to diagnose maybe turn off v-sync and find some really simple screen / game where you get 100+ FPS.