P35-DS3R - Buzzing.

[Outcasst]

This thread is regarding the P35-DS3R motherboard.

Today I installed a waterblock on my northbridge along with changing cases. now when I turn the computer on I can hear a buzzing noise which is coming from the cpu or northbridge area. I also get no beeps and no video signal. What could be causing this and can it be fixed? Thanks

I tried running it without the ATX 12v connection and it doesn't buzz.

It's definitely coming from the CPU area. If I take the CPU out and run the board the sound goes away.

[Dark Mantis]

I would recommend removing the waterblock from the CPU and take the power leads from the motherboard so that you can just run the watercooling and see if the noise is coming from the CPU waterblock.

[Outcasst]

I have done this and it doesn't buzz. It only buzzes if: The 12v Connection is plugged in and the CPU is installed. Which makes me wonder if it could be a CPU problem... but would a faulty CPU make a buzzing noise?

[Dark Mantis]

I think it is extremely unlikelly that the CPU itself is making the noise. It is far more likely that it is the coils around the CPU. Try putting your finger on them and see if you can feel the vibration. Try and narrow it down to a specific location if possible.

[Outcasst]

I don't see any on this board.

[Dark Mantis]

They are the little boxes around the CPU socket.

[Outcasst]

I can't feel anything vibrating. They are slightly warm though.

[Dark Mantis]

That would be right, they get warm with use. So can you tell where the vibrations are actually coming from now?

[Lsdmeasap]

Get a empty paper towel roll and hold it up to yoru ear while the board is running with CPU installed, and see if you can narrow down the buzz to a certain component or area.

The only way it's going to actually run is if you have the CPU installed, one stick of memory,the 24 pin ATX motherboard cable, and 4 or 8 Pin ATX 12V CPU power cable.  If you are missing one of those it is not going to run/start, so no need to test with any of those out of the equation.

I'm sure it's probably just as DM mentioned, coils, which could be the board itself or the PSU.   What PSU are you using?  

You can test this to be sure that it's coil vibration by doing the following, go into the BIOS and disable C1E and EIST, then the noise should go away.

For the above to work, you may or may not need to update the BIOS, some BIOS are more affected that others.

[Outcasst]

I don't think you understood my post correctly. The motherboard seems to be dead. When everything is installed there is no beep from the speaker or video output. Just an annoying buzzing sound.

I have ordered a replacement board anyway now. It was 3 years old and I guess it was time for it to die.

[Fatman]

Give it the frisby funeral lol..........PSU still good?

[Dark Mantis]

As Fatman has already insinuated it could be a duff PSU not the board. I would try testing it first and it could probably do with replacing anyway if it is 3 years or more old. What make and model is it?
Check this out first. How to jump start a PSU video   http://www.corsair.com/cinema/movie.aspx?id=1358543