Computer making a new sound, annoyed/concerned

Gusterr

Gusterr

Member
Hey all,

a PC I recently custom-built started making a new sound a couple days ago. It's a buzzing sound (not very loud), and I think it's coming from one of the internal fans. (What else could it be?) It sounds like it's coming from something near the rear I/O panel, I just can't pinpoint what. The possible culprits would be the PSU fan, the rear case fan, and the CPU fan.

It's not a persistent sound. It doesn't start until the computer has been running for a couple minutes, and sometimes it goes away spontaneously during use. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do to resolve this? Any suggestions are appreciated.
 
Could be a bearing on its' way out, it could be psu cables getting caught in a fan. Open it up, check that all the cables are out of the way of any fans, turn on the pc and listen, basically.

A little cable management goes a long way too.
 
If the parts were all new then it's unlikely to be bearing failure. Not likely to be an accumulation of dust on the blades for the same reason. It could be two parts vibrating against each other. Fans are not exactly constant in speed even at 100% so may be hitting the resonant frequency once in a while. Temperatures changing the clearance between parts can have the same effect.

I usually press around with my finger trying to stop the vibration or feel it and thus find the location. You have to discharge your static on the chassis before doing this. Using a toilet paper or paper towel cardboard centre to your ear as a stethoscope is another way to locate.

It's not always easy to get at vibrating parts. Strapping, clamping, tightening screws or gluing can end the issue if you can find it.
 
I opened up the case and did some listening. I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from inside the PSU. When I shut down the computer and everything "clicks" off, the noise goes away immediately and simultaneously. If it were a fan, wouldn't the disappearance of the noise be slightly gradual?

Anyway, I'm fairly certain it isn't a cable hitting a fan.
 
Gusterr said:
I opened up the case and did some listening. I'm pretty sure the noise is coming from inside the PSU. When I shut down the computer and everything "clicks" off, the noise goes away immediately and simultaneously. If it were a fan, wouldn't the disappearance of the noise be slightly gradual?

Anyway, I'm fairly certain it isn't a cable hitting a fan.
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No, not necessarily.

Also, I've had a similar problem, where I didn't think a cable was hitting the fan...until I saw the one of the cpu fan ;) (hint, hint)
 
I double checked the cpu fan. And it really doesn't sound like it's coming from the CPU, it sounds closer to the PSU or maybe the Graphics Card.
 
Its probally the powersupply itself making the buzzing noise,i see alot of people saying there cheap power supply is buzzing, please tell us the model so i dont buy the same one,lol.
 
cabinfever1977 said:
Its probally the powersupply itself making the buzzing noise,i see alot of people saying there cheap power supply is buzzing, please tell us the model so i dont buy the same one,lol.
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xfx black edition p1-750B-CAG9 750W

The sound won't go away. Argh. Any chance I can get XFX to replace it?
 
Is it unwise to unplug case fans from the motherboard while the computer is running? I'm trying to isolate the source of this noise and I still haven't pinpointed it. I initially described it as a buzzing sound but that's not very accurate. It's more of an irregular "clicking".

Is there a way to selectively turn the fans off that is non-physical?

Also, is it possible that it's the graphics card? I'm using a Radeon HD 6870. It has moving parts, right?
 
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That's a good PS. I'm sure you can rma it. It hasn't been that long has it. As long as your sure that's what it is. Check their website for rma support.
 
Gusterr said:
Is it unwise to unplug case fans from the motherboard while the computer is running?......
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It's not harmful as such - the side of the case is off so the case fans are not doing their full job (with one fan, it's doing nothing useful at all). Pulling off the connector doesn't do any electrical harm. However...

There are the normal concerns, static, having your finger close to other components. If you are monitoring fan speed, the trip or alarm could startle you and you end up jerking your hand out causing damage.

Yes it could also be the graphic card fan.

The sound disappearing immediately the PC is turned off does not completely rule out fans. At that instant they lose power and the rotor may shift along its axis away from any binding parts.

As I've mentioned on several other posts, PSUs can make an annoying sound but that is not normal for a good quality product.

It's definitely coming from the case, not the speakers (including the PC speaker)?

If the "hearing tube" methods don't work, get a decent sized piece of card and use it to shield areas of interest so you can tell if the noise is reduced.

I would definitively find the source before returning the PSU. If you take the PSU out for RMA, you could try the "Paper clip" test with it away from the PC and that may confirm it's the source.
 
Nanobyte said:
It's not harmful as such - the side of the case is off so the case fans are not doing their full job (with one fan, it's doing nothing useful at all). Pulling off the connector doesn't do any electrical harm. However...

There are the normal concerns, static, having your finger close to other components. If you are monitoring fan speed, the trip or alarm could startle you and you end up jerking your hand out causing damage.
Click to expand...

Okay.

Yes it could also be the graphic card fan.

The sound disappearing immediately the PC is turned off does not completely rule out fans. At that instant they lose power and the rotor may shift along its axis away from any binding parts.

As I've mentioned on several other posts, PSUs can make an annoying sound but that is not normal for a good quality product.
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Okay.

It's definitely coming from the case, not the speakers (including the PC speaker)?
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Definitely from somewhere in the tower.

If the "hearing tube" methods don't work, get a decent sized piece of card and use it to shield areas of interest so you can tell if the noise is reduced.

I would definitively find the source before returning the PSU. If you take the PSU out for RMA, you could try the "Paper clip" test with it away from the PC and that may confirm it's the source.
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Alright. Thank you for the response.
 
you can unplug some fans that are not important to see where the noise is coming from, unplug them with computer off then turn on. don't forget to plug them back in.
Buzzing is usually a power supply and a hair drier noise is usually a small fan like on a video card.
 
So I'm pretty sure (but still not certain) it's the graphics card that is making the noises.

It's a Radeon HD 6870 from Newegg... what are my options as far as getting it replaced?

edit: actually, is there a way to "turn off" the graphics card so that I can run my computer for a while without it and see if it's quieter?
 
You are past the 30 day return policy for newegg. You should have figured this out by now. You will have to deal with whoever the manufacturer of the card is now.
 
Gusterr said:
edit: actually, is there a way to "turn off" the graphics card so that I can run my computer for a while without it and see if it's quieter?
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If the systm has integrated graphics, then you can remove the card and set it to run the onboard video. Did you have to set the bios in order to use the card?
 
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