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Buzzing/electrical noise coming from computer

M

mmarasco

n00b
Joined
Nov 24, 2011
Messages
14
Hello everyone!

Relevant PC specs:

Mobo: Gigabyte G1.Sniper2
CPU: 2600k
GPU: Gigabyte GTX 580 Super overclock edition (SOC) x2 SLI
PSU: Silverstone Strider 1200w Gold

The problem (Since day of purchase):
When the GPU's are stressed in any gaming application, a very audible 'buzzing/clicking noise' is heard. It is a very rapid buzzing noise, liken to electrical clicking. This noise differs in loudness by how much the GPU's are being stressed, so for high intensive games such as Battlefield 3 and Witcher 2, the 'buzzing' noise is very loud (easily heard over all system fans and a H80 CPU cooler) and very rapid. However even in games such as Minecraft, the buzzing noise is still present just less audible (but you can still hear it over all cooling). The noise is coming from the GPU section of the motherboard.

Testing:
I originally had a Corsair 1050hx PSU inside this computer. My brother with a similar computer setup, except he had Sapphire 6950 crossfire GPUS, also produced the same sound. A computer technician found it was the PSU, the PSU was RMA'd and to my amazement the noise was completely gone. CORSAIR even have a forum Sticky dedicated to this problem in their PSU. So I decided to replace my PSU (Corsair 1050hx) with a Silverstone Strider 1200w Gold and unfortunately the noise was still present (exact same).

I have removed and tested each GPU individually, 3x Gigabyte GTX 580 super overclock (one RMA'd due to faulty fan bearing). Yet still, the noise was consistent throughout.

I have now returned the computer for individual parts testing at place of purchase. The technician has tested different GPU's on the MOBO such as the GTX 560 and another GTX 580 of the same model. Still the same noise.
Furthermore, the technician has swapped out different powersupplies and even placed the GPU's and PSU onto a different Motherboard and still the same problem!


Solution???
After all the above testing, my last idea was possible VRM noise coming from the motherboard. So now I am completely lost, is it possible that the Gigabyte GPUS and Motherboard and the different brand PSUS are ALL at fault? Different configuration for these parts have shown the same problem. I've had a range of possible reasons being Coil Whine (Does this noise when Witcher 2 is run without vysch enabled, loud screeching noise), VRM noise, EMI leakage.
Good old Rodney Reynolds has stated in his videos that such noises can only be present on the MOBO/PSU/GPU due to a bad capacitor. What really drives me crazy is that on all these parts purchased, the packaging label it as "japanese sold capacitor" no noise! Wrong :(

If anyone has any ideas/suggestions please, PLEASE help! I have to call up the technician tommorow, so I'm hoping someone would have an idea as to where to go next.

Thanks everyone! Greatly appreciated.
 
I have this noise on my 580 GTX 3GB SLi setup as well. I just live with it, it is not that loud and it's only when the cards are stressed. It's much quieter than the fan noise I have had on some of the video cards I have owned in the past like the 480 GTX.
 
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Use on-board graphics or any other GPU that are not your GTX 580s with your MOBO and PSU.If noise persists, then its not an issue with your GTX 580s. Then swap your PSU. If noise persists, then its not an issue with your PSU. Only thing left is your MOBO.
 
This is a very common issue and is caused by your particular combination of GPU and PSU. It has nothing to do with the motherboard. Some GPU's whine with almost all PSU's and vice versa. Looks like those particular Gigabyte GTX 580's suffer from that issue. AFAIK your only two solutions are

1) replace the cards with a different brand/model (which may have the same issue)
2) disassemble the cards and put some hot glue on the coils (which may not work)

Also this is called "coil whine" because it's vibrations from induction coils. Nothing to do with capacitors.
 
^^^^Spot on. I used to have this problem when I had a corsair TX650 and GTX 260. Annoyed the hell out of me, but I lived with it.
 
Scheibler1 said:
^^^^Spot on. I used to have this problem when I had a corsair TX650 and GTX 260. Annoyed the hell out of me, but I lived with it.
Click to expand...

So what was it? A power supply issue or GPU issue or just simply both were making noises?
 
I have this issue right now, I suspect it's my old 8800GT. I'm going to start the process of elimination tonight.

Hopefully it is, since that is the next and hopefully last piece to replace on this build.
 
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