Is there an issue with your power supply?
Is there an issue with your power supply?
I assembled a 12th gen i7 system in April and likely accumulated several hundred hours of gaming time. It's been quiet during play until recently when a peculiar knocking noise appeared. This issue started with Horizon Zero Dawn, producing a consistent, rhythmic sound that fades during exploration or cutscenes. I recorded the audio for reference—it sounds like a steady pulse rather than typical coil whine. The problem seems isolated to this title; after adjusting fan speeds and checking the power supply unit, the noise remains and originates from the PSU. Other games I've played without it include AC Origins, Far Cry 5, Rise of the Tomb Raider, Cyberpunk 2077, and many more. Any insights would be helpful! PSU Knocking.m4a
It definitely feels like a moving component rather than another part. So it must be an SF fan, my 600 only turns it on when it's really loaded. I’m pretty sure your unit is experiencing this issue, and somehow the fan is getting touched or something’s wrong with it.
I can execute Cinebench R23 at advertised CPU speeds while keeping my PSU fan still silent. However, whenever my GPU starts using any resources, the fan begins to spin—usually softly. I attempted a Noctua fan adjustment earlier, but the wiring didn't fit properly, so I returned to the original fan. So far, this hasn't led to any problems. I checked the in-game FPS limiter and heard no sound at 50 fps with GPU usage at 40%. Typically I cap at 90 fps with 70% load (in this game). But at 60 fps or higher, the clicking is noticeable. It's quite inconvenient.
It seems your custom OCZ PSU fan isn't producing a strong noise compared to what you're experiencing.
You might want to manually block the PSU fan by inserting an object near the hub, then restart the game to check for a different sound. Avoid keeping it on for extended periods.
I can attempt this now. A portable fan will be aimed at the PSU while I proceed. That seems like a reasonable plan. The warranty looks solid enough for my needs. It's odd how this only appears in this game yet—it feels like the system is reacting negatively to my actions, especially since destroying machines is required.
The issue seems to be with the fan bearing, possibly due to a faulty one. I purchased a replacement fan and adapter, but it's still unclear why this specific game is affected. Surgery is planned for the weekend, and I'm concerned about the cost of the PSU. Corsair's reliability isn't impressive, especially with such a price tag. I managed to get sleeved cables, which is a relief. Thanks for your thoughts! PSU Knocking_480p.mp4
Ensure the capacitor is fully discharged in the power supply before handling it. A dangerous shock or serious injury could occur if not.