F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Hearing noise from PSU when powered up but the rest of the PC inactive – could it be coil whine?

Hearing noise from PSU when powered up but the rest of the PC inactive – could it be coil whine?

Hearing noise from PSU when powered up but the rest of the PC inactive – could it be coil whine?

G
GreenLightFabi
Senior Member
696
06-08-2021, 09:52 PM
#1
Hello,
Basically as said in the title, but I will provide a little context just in case.
I build this PC ~2021, used it pretty regularly, then I got busier, so in 2022 I used it on and off. This is my first time, after a clean, using it this year. I noticed when I turned the PSU on, but not the rest of the PC (e.g., no case fans, cooler fans, or GPU fans are spinning) that there was a low buzzing that seemingly came from the PSU. Having checked my 128gb SSD (I know, planning to upgrade) the sound does not appear to be from there, and nor does it appear to be from the motherboard. I have attached a video via Imgur here, the video begins with the mic next to the PSU, then I move it up to the motherboard shield (or whatever it is called) and back down to the PSU, I believe I have isolated the sound to the PSU with this method?
Is anyone able to identify the sound? I think it might be coil whine, or am at least hoping since it appears coil whine isn't necessarily a defect, and I won't have to replace the PSU? At least that is what I've heard online, feel free to correct me if wrong.
Any help appreciated.
https://imgur.com/a/m9B1sjZ
View: https://imgur.com/a/m9B1sjZ
Specs:
MOBO: ASUS ROG STRIX H370-F Gaming
CPU: Intel i5-8500
GPU: Zotac 3060 12gb
PSU: Corsair RMx 750W
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i Plat AIO
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2666mhz
G
GreenLightFabi
06-08-2021, 09:52 PM #1

Hello,
Basically as said in the title, but I will provide a little context just in case.
I build this PC ~2021, used it pretty regularly, then I got busier, so in 2022 I used it on and off. This is my first time, after a clean, using it this year. I noticed when I turned the PSU on, but not the rest of the PC (e.g., no case fans, cooler fans, or GPU fans are spinning) that there was a low buzzing that seemingly came from the PSU. Having checked my 128gb SSD (I know, planning to upgrade) the sound does not appear to be from there, and nor does it appear to be from the motherboard. I have attached a video via Imgur here, the video begins with the mic next to the PSU, then I move it up to the motherboard shield (or whatever it is called) and back down to the PSU, I believe I have isolated the sound to the PSU with this method?
Is anyone able to identify the sound? I think it might be coil whine, or am at least hoping since it appears coil whine isn't necessarily a defect, and I won't have to replace the PSU? At least that is what I've heard online, feel free to correct me if wrong.
Any help appreciated.
https://imgur.com/a/m9B1sjZ
View: https://imgur.com/a/m9B1sjZ
Specs:
MOBO: ASUS ROG STRIX H370-F Gaming
CPU: Intel i5-8500
GPU: Zotac 3060 12gb
PSU: Corsair RMx 750W
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i Plat AIO
RAM: Corsair Vengeance 2666mhz

J
josi1711
Junior Member
42
06-08-2021, 10:33 PM
#2
It definitely resembles coil whine.
This typically comes from coils within a voltage regulator system. These components are present in every power supply unit and also on the motherboard close to the CPU.
J
josi1711
06-08-2021, 10:33 PM #2

It definitely resembles coil whine.
This typically comes from coils within a voltage regulator system. These components are present in every power supply unit and also on the motherboard close to the CPU.

Y
YellowDevs
Member
170
06-09-2021, 09:26 PM
#3
Can you still detect the sound while using the computer? Is this disturbance bothersome? Are there any other issues affecting the computer's performance?
Y
YellowDevs
06-09-2021, 09:26 PM #3

Can you still detect the sound while using the computer? Is this disturbance bothersome? Are there any other issues affecting the computer's performance?

P
PapiMarc_
Member
144
06-15-2021, 09:45 AM
#4
Hello,
Apologies for the delayed response. After testing, it seems the noise from the PSU disappears. It no longer becomes inaudible over the fans, as confirmed by holding a mic near it during testing. Everything appears to function properly. To be honest, I haven’t pushed the system under heavy load or stressed it. What I notice is a similar buzzing or hum when shutting down before turning off the fans and CPU via the PC button, which isn’t from the PSU. This also occurs when using MSI Afterburner, as I remember.
P
PapiMarc_
06-15-2021, 09:45 AM #4

Hello,
Apologies for the delayed response. After testing, it seems the noise from the PSU disappears. It no longer becomes inaudible over the fans, as confirmed by holding a mic near it during testing. Everything appears to function properly. To be honest, I haven’t pushed the system under heavy load or stressed it. What I notice is a similar buzzing or hum when shutting down before turning off the fans and CPU via the PC button, which isn’t from the PSU. This also occurs when using MSI Afterburner, as I remember.