Soldato
Absolutely loving Freesync and a 144hz monitor, only ever used 60hz previously.
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The Fury(X) Fiji Owners Thread
- Thread starter Kaapstad
- Start date
http://techreport.com/news/28566/retail-fury-x-coolers-still-whine-dont-include-fix
This high-pitched whine is annoying enough to constitute a major drawback from a $650 video card, so naturally, I asked AMD about the problem. In response, I got the following statement from AMD:
AMD received feedback that during open bench testing some cards emit a mild "whining" noise. This is normal for most high speed liquid cooling pumps; Usually the end user cannot hear the noise as the pumps are installed in the chassis, and the radiator fan is louder than the pump. Since the AMD Radeon R9 FuryX radiator fan is near silent, this pump noise is more noticeable.
The issue is limited to a very small batch of initial production samples and we have worked with the manufacturer to improve the acoustic profile of the pump. This problem has been resolved and a fix added to production parts and is not an issue.
At the time, this statement seemed remarkable for its confidence that the "problem has been resolved" and "is not an issue," especially given the incredibly short span of time—less than a week—between our receipt of a Fury X review unit and the start of retail sales.
Also, I didn't want to quibble with it at the time, but I don't agree with the characterization of the problem in the first paragraph. I think it downplays the severity of the issue; the noise is unique among the liquid-cooling systems I've used, including the one on the Radeon R9 295 X2.
After getting this statement, we requested that AMD send us an example of a retail unit with a the pump fix in place. Beyond that, prior to our review, all we could do is report our observations and wait to see what folks found when they had retail Fury X cards in their hands. Dummy me, I didn't think to do what the folks at PC Perspective did: order up a couple of retail cards from Newegg and test it themselves.
Their report on the results is kind of science-y, replete with frequency analysis plots and such, but you don't need the graphs to understand the basic problem. The current batch of retail Fury X cards does not include an effective fix for the problem we found. They still whine. Worse yet, the retail cards sometimes seem to make other noises that the review samples do not, including apparent buzzing sounds from the pumps.
To get a better sense of what I'm talking about, click through to the article and listen to the WAV file with +12 dB gain. This sound file includes noise from several Fury X cards and a GeForce GTX 980 Ti for comparison.
I will say, though, that the microphones and speakers involved in recording and playing back this sound don't seem to capture entirely the frustrating character of the high-pitched whine. Something about it puts my monkey brain on edge, as if a teeny, tiny version of nails on a chalkboard were playing constantly in the background.
In addition to the PC Perspective report, a number of videos have popped up on YouTube in recent days showing off Fury X pump noise, including the whine but also rougher sounds. I hesitated to post about them since the extra noise didn't track with our experience, but it all seems to fit with PC Perspective's findings.
Of course, it's possible some Fury X cards don't whine and don't make other grating noises at all. We don't have a comprehensive survey of retail cards at our disposal. But it does appear AMD's statement about the Fury X noise problem being fixed and "not an issue" was more wishful thinking than an accurate assessment of the current situation. Caveat emptor.
This high-pitched whine is annoying enough to constitute a major drawback from a $650 video card, so naturally, I asked AMD about the problem. In response, I got the following statement from AMD:
AMD received feedback that during open bench testing some cards emit a mild "whining" noise. This is normal for most high speed liquid cooling pumps; Usually the end user cannot hear the noise as the pumps are installed in the chassis, and the radiator fan is louder than the pump. Since the AMD Radeon R9 FuryX radiator fan is near silent, this pump noise is more noticeable.
The issue is limited to a very small batch of initial production samples and we have worked with the manufacturer to improve the acoustic profile of the pump. This problem has been resolved and a fix added to production parts and is not an issue.
At the time, this statement seemed remarkable for its confidence that the "problem has been resolved" and "is not an issue," especially given the incredibly short span of time—less than a week—between our receipt of a Fury X review unit and the start of retail sales.
Also, I didn't want to quibble with it at the time, but I don't agree with the characterization of the problem in the first paragraph. I think it downplays the severity of the issue; the noise is unique among the liquid-cooling systems I've used, including the one on the Radeon R9 295 X2.
After getting this statement, we requested that AMD send us an example of a retail unit with a the pump fix in place. Beyond that, prior to our review, all we could do is report our observations and wait to see what folks found when they had retail Fury X cards in their hands. Dummy me, I didn't think to do what the folks at PC Perspective did: order up a couple of retail cards from Newegg and test it themselves.
Their report on the results is kind of science-y, replete with frequency analysis plots and such, but you don't need the graphs to understand the basic problem. The current batch of retail Fury X cards does not include an effective fix for the problem we found. They still whine. Worse yet, the retail cards sometimes seem to make other noises that the review samples do not, including apparent buzzing sounds from the pumps.
To get a better sense of what I'm talking about, click through to the article and listen to the WAV file with +12 dB gain. This sound file includes noise from several Fury X cards and a GeForce GTX 980 Ti for comparison.
I will say, though, that the microphones and speakers involved in recording and playing back this sound don't seem to capture entirely the frustrating character of the high-pitched whine. Something about it puts my monkey brain on edge, as if a teeny, tiny version of nails on a chalkboard were playing constantly in the background.
In addition to the PC Perspective report, a number of videos have popped up on YouTube in recent days showing off Fury X pump noise, including the whine but also rougher sounds. I hesitated to post about them since the extra noise didn't track with our experience, but it all seems to fit with PC Perspective's findings.
Of course, it's possible some Fury X cards don't whine and don't make other grating noises at all. We don't have a comprehensive survey of retail cards at our disposal. But it does appear AMD's statement about the Fury X noise problem being fixed and "not an issue" was more wishful thinking than an accurate assessment of the current situation. Caveat emptor.
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Soldato
Even the 3rd party cards like the Gigabyte G1?
I'm really tempted by the Fury X, but the pump noise and coil whine worry me.
Also not really sure if I need one (or 2).
I've got 3 290Xs (4GB) and if AMD now have some magic algorithm that lowers the VRAM usage then that could extend the life of them.
Caporegime
Permabanned
This card is turning into a lemon. 
Soldato
^^
Lol, 980 Ti's having coil whine issues, EVGA Hybrid's have pump noise.
These things happen on both sides. As usual AMD are being persecuted for it. There are already vids on Youtube of guys having replacements that are perfectly quiet on the pump. Not even EVGA can manage that lol.
The fixed cooler master design is now in production for all future cards and any current ones with issues can be returned or RMA. It really isn't a big deal.
Did lol at this guy, despite having a fixed pump he's now saying his fan is rattling LOL. It sounds totally fine. But yeah fixed pump versions are out in the wild.
Lol, 980 Ti's having coil whine issues, EVGA Hybrid's have pump noise.
These things happen on both sides. As usual AMD are being persecuted for it. There are already vids on Youtube of guys having replacements that are perfectly quiet on the pump. Not even EVGA can manage that lol.
The fixed cooler master design is now in production for all future cards and any current ones with issues can be returned or RMA. It really isn't a big deal.
Did lol at this guy, despite having a fixed pump he's now saying his fan is rattling LOL. It sounds totally fine. But yeah fixed pump versions are out in the wild.
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This card is turning into a lemon.
I don't like AIOs so I'm waiting for the Fury regular. Annoying that we don't have info on it yet.
But in a few months when I'm rocking 2 in xfire on Win10 with massaged drivers, voltage, 1300 OC etc etc for the same price as my TX and twice the performance I'll be happy.
The improvements will end up making FX faster than 980Ti while Ti mysteriously loses performance in H2 2016
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Soldato
I don't like AIOs so I'm waiting for the Fury regular. Annoying that we don't have info on it yet.
But in a few months when I'm rocking 2 in xfire on Win10 with massaged drivers, voltage, 1300 OC etc etc for the same price as my TX and twice the performance I'll be happy.
Those air cooled Fury's have a lot of potential.
If they come in aggressive on those they could be really popular.
Then there is also the Nano ! Looks frickin awesome.
Amd haven't commented publicly on the issue at all, they've sent a "p.s." to some reviewers but besides that nothing. And as for rma, well ocuk aren't taking any for rma because of this, presumably they will if amd says so. Just need amd to make a public statement on it so that people can be reassured if they get a wonky one it will be replaced.
Soldato
Thanks for link. I find that mine resonates unless I nudge the tubing near the pump end occasionally too. I don't find mine intrusive for the most part though.
I knew I was buying a unit with a piddly AIO pump so I wasn't expecting complete synthetic bliss. It is however an issue that needs addressing.
This guys fan is kinda 'loud' I guess if it's running at default speed. At least fan is something you can ultimately replace yourself.
Soldato
LOL @ the fan. That could be like that with any cheap fan. Just install a better made one, that is not something I would complain about tbh. The pump.. that is a definite issue, sounded horrible.
But you shouldn't have to.
Soldato
Yeah I see what you are saying. From what I have read people are getting retailers to refund or replace and RMA's are in effect. I posted the video of the guy with a new card that doesn't whine.
Keep reading about 980 Ti's being sent back for coil whine. No reason that Fury X should be denied for pump whine?
If you have the whine it is your right to return it for replacement / refund. There is enough evidence around to reinforce the whine problem.
If a retailer is being difficult, RMA would be better bet. At least with RMA you would be set to explain exactly what the problem is and get a revision that doesn't whine. Whereas if you just return and buy another there is no guarantee that it is fixed. Also moving to Nvidia isn't a problem free option with coil whine and driver issues at the mo.
Overall RMA best option imho. Just the length of time that is the problem I guess.
Soldato
At this stage you'll likely get one that is equally as bad.
Well he is the first one I saw to complain about fan noise so I guess majority wont 'have to'.
In any case, that fan is still nowhere as loud as any aircooled solutions.
Soldato
Yeah that's why it would better to RMA directly, explain exactly what the issue is and get a coil whine free replacement. The wait time is the only problem who knows what lead time is on fixed revision.
My card has a unique sort of buzz like digital whine to it. But it's pretty quiet I can't hear it unless my head is right next to my case lol.
I may consider RMA with Sapphire down the line to get the latest revision. Maybe, maybe not. Happy to keep it as is now. Be nice like that other guy said to have some clarification form vendors that they will accept RMA for this issue. If they will than I'm, not worried at all I can just do that later on when stock is plentiful.
The revised pump has a etched in Cooler Master logo rather than a sticker. Check yours to see what you have. I'm guessing I have a sticker version so that makes me want to get the other version not because of the noise worried it could effect re sale later on.
Hopefully Sapphire will accept RMA for whiny pumps lol. And I'll just do it in a few months.
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Its an odd situation, some nvidia cards being replaced for coil buzz but pump whine is a non issue.
The affected cards can just get their pumps replaced by the oem, cleaned up and sold on.
Soldato
Its an odd situation, some nvidia cads being replaced for coil buzz but pump whine is a non issue.
Yeah exactly I totally agree.
I would like to RMA mine down the road, as it does have a unique buzz but only when head right next to case.
I'm thinking more for re sale, people are going to steer clear of revision 1 whiny pump cards.
Hopefully Sapphire will accept RMA for whine. And I can do it in a few months when stock is more plentiful and quick turn around time.
(The new fixed pump apparently has etched in logo onto pump. The old whiny version has a sticker. Easy way to tell what you have.)