PSU electrical noises

[Trinitrotoluene]

After I took out one of my harddrives, which I noticed showed some errors, I heard my PSU started making electrical noises. I first found that out when I ran HD tune, that's when the noise is at its loudest. During prime95, there's no sound at all. It really seems load dependent, somehow. I'm 110% sure it is coming from the PSU, not the CPU socket area. Below is a recording of the sound, turn your sound way up. During this recording I'm starting HD tune twice, which is when the noise starts.

I already contacted my vendor and they said PSU's sometimes just start doing that, and I can RMA it if I wanted. However, after having read something about disabling C1E that might resolve the issue, I'm not sure anymore. Also right now I'm still in the process of finding out whether my system is stable (memory related BSOD's, my other topic here). So I don't feel anything for other weird crashes related to changing bios settings like EIST, C1E or whatever. If you ask me, the PSU just went bad and I'm thinking about returning it once I'm sure my system and memory are stable. But please give me your opinion on this.

Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
Core i7 930
Gigabyte X58A UD3R Bios FB
OCZ3P1333LV6GK
Radeon 5870
Creative X-Fi Titanium
2x Samsung HD103SJ
1x WD3200KS
Coolermaster Realpower M620

p.s. I don't think my PSU caused the apparent memory related BSOD's: the system is stable in overnight memtest and prime95.


recording: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CX2HNQVB (if unavailable, please check back after a minute or so)

[Dark Mantis]

I thionk your conclusions are sound and I would advise returning the PSU but I think it is more of an annoyance factor that a critical one. It is probably just a vibration in the coils or something similar (couldn't really tell from the recording!!!!) but that is not the point. Try and change it for another make eg Corsair or Seasonic.

The EIST, C1E etc power saving modes just help reduce the sudden frequency changes that cause the vibrations to occur.

I notice that you have added the recording now... makes all the difference

[Trinitrotoluene]

Yep, sorry, I forgot to add the recording initially. And I agree that's it's more of an annoyance factor than a critical one. In this case, I'll stay away from EIST and C1E, but swap the PSU instead. Hardware should be working healthy without having to tweak settings to bypass weird things, I'm sure we can all agree there hehe

I was thinking of changing it for the SilentPro 850W from Coolermaster. Or do you strongly encourage me to stay away from Coolermasters for this coil whine reason?

[Dark Mantis]

To be honest I am not aware of any particular problem with the CoolerMaster PSU range but just to be safe I thought it might be prudent to change makes completely. I do agree with your choice of size of PSU though.

[Trinitrotoluene]

Alright, thanks again buddy!

[tuffno]

Ive got weird electronical noises aswell coming from the PSU, but only during gameplay. If I turn off C1E and put CPU volt on a certain number instead of auto the grinding and scratching noise goes away. Instead I hear a Buzzing sound. I read some other post that this was a known issue with the UD3 Mobos.

I just wanted to say that its a problem with the USB3 Mobo aswell.
This is my spec

Gigabyte GA-X58-USB3
Intel i7 950
CoolerMaster V8
Corsair Dominator 1600 9 9 9 24
Corsair 620w PSU

There is still no BIOS update that fixes this right?

Thanks for helping.

[Dark Mantis]

To a greater or lesser extent it affects motherboards with the X58 chipset and of course both of the boards you mentioned are included.

A BIOS update on it's own wont fix it but there is a hardware fix that along with a BIOS update will cure it. At the moment it is limited to the UD3R boards but will be widened if feasible to cover all affected boards.

[tuffno]

So if I have this noise I have to replace the board to get rid of it?

[Dark Mantis]

No not at all! Often the noise only happens when certain components are used together like the motherboard and a certain PSU. Often if you change to a different PSU the noise will disappear. If not the GTS will be able to arrange to have the hardware fix done(it is only minor) and the BIOS updated. For now a quick fix is usually to disable C1E and EIST in the BIOS and that stops the noise.

[onemilimeter]

I'm going to test the UD3R with Seasonic X-650 soon and will share with you all if it produces the electrical noise.

[Dark Mantis]

Thanks onemilimeter. I would be helpful to have a list of PSUs that didn't play up when combined with these boards although I am not sure it will be that simple as it may be down to the specific PSU not just the make/model because of manufacturing tolerances. Now that there is a hardware fix available it is not so important as most people would prefer to have the adjustment done to their boards for free than spend money purchasing a new PSU.

[tuffno]

Im gonna switch my corsair TX 620w to a corsair TX 850w today and see what happends.

[tuffno]

If not the GTS will be able to arrange to have the hardware fix done(it is only minor) and the BIOS updated.

I still dont follow what this minor HW fix means. and whats GTS?

[Dark Mantis]

Sorry HW is short for hardware and GGTS is Gigabyte Global Technical Support in your case just GTS which is Gigabyte Tecnical Support and is local.

[tuffno]

I can confirm that I cant hear any noises with my new PSU Corsair HX850    http://www.prisjakt.nu/bilder/bild.php?p=433869&type=standard&size=800&.jpg

I run with a cpu volt nonauto and C1E off but EIST on