Is there a clicking sound from the PSU fan?
Is there a clicking sound from the PSU fan?
Hi there,
I've observed that my PC is making a persistent clicking sound. The video you shared shows it happening after a delay, around five to ten minutes of use. I checked the connections and fans, but everything looked fine. From what I can hear, it might be coming from the power supply unit. Could this be a faulty PSU fan? My PSU is a Corsair VS550 (Active PFC, 80 Plus White, 550W), roughly two years old. Any advice would be appreciated!
If the sound is coming from within the PSU, then it can only be the fan; there simply aren't other moving parts to make such a sound. You can test while the PC is running by temporarily stopping the fan with the erase end of a pencil and seeing if it stops the sound.
What are the rest of the specs? If this is an inappropriate PSU -- it's a basic PSU that's only justifiable for office builds and GPUs that don't need supplementary power -- the necessity of a replacement anyway would also take care of the PSU issue.
Usually, when something ticks steadily, it often means trouble is coming. That's why I'm not surprised with the low-end CORSAIR.
Wait for the clicking to begin. Position the pc on its side with the bottom facing you, and raise your head near the PSU grille. If the sound comes from the fan, it will be clear. If the bearings are damaged, the fan will shake and the click may sound plastic as one blade contacts the shroud. A metallic sound suggests the bearings lack lubrication. In either case, the PSU is compromised.