Mysterious noise coming from the PC

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ilovecats2299
Junior Member

13

11-06-2022, 01:20 AM

#11

The cable setup wasn’t great—I couldn’t fit the motherboard wires in the back. Some parts looked messy, and I ran out of cleaning supplies and patience. Here’s a photo of the PC with the side panel off. I think I assembled it correctly, but I’m new to building PCs.

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ttanic
Junior Member

2

11-06-2022, 09:30 AM

#12

When removing the PSU, the noise moved to another spot. Did you check the direction of the sound when it was taken out? Could the noise come from the HDD, or might it be related to the fans adjusting for temperature changes?

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Sky_Dream_TW
Junior Member

4

11-08-2022, 01:48 AM

#13

It seems the sound is coming from an unexpected location, possibly near the CPU cooler or GPU. The noise isn’t consistent across tests, and it doesn’t match the fans’ typical behavior—especially since GPU-Z shows fans running at higher speeds during demanding games. The clicking appears unrelated to fan speed, suggesting another source. I’ve already checked the HDD and ruled it out.

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Skeetarr
Member

146

11-08-2022, 03:18 AM

#14

Run tests with fans spinning at steady speeds—around 40 to 60 to 80% depending on your parts. This should resolve any issues. Your CPU type matters: Ryzen models typically handle locked or low fan speeds without problems.

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KeatonR
Junior Member

43

11-08-2022, 05:19 AM

#15

Set the fan speed to a fixed value for consistent testing. Results may show how different speeds affect cooling performance and power consumption.

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Marxs00
Junior Member

38

11-08-2022, 03:17 PM

#16

the noise allows you to secure it in BIOS when your fans are linked to the motherboard. Within BIOS, you can adjust case fan speeds that connect via case connectors and CPU fan speed connected through the CPU connector (pump isn't available).

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HuSaKy
Member

66

11-08-2022, 04:20 PM

#17

It took some time to understand, but I created a tailored fan setup that keeps the CPU fan running at a steady 40% unless it hits a high temperature of 80 degrees. I noticed only minor changes in performance, mainly slightly elevated CPU temperatures. I wondered if the custom curve wasn’t fully implemented, so I checked speeds using HWiNFO. The setup maintains a stable 730 RPM, which is lower than its usual speed range. It still fluctuates slightly, but less intensely than the default settings. The noise remains consistent, though its behavior hasn’t changed drastically—just occasional random bursts instead of prolonged sounds, with an unclear source. I also tested using the case fans; the BIOS allowed control over only three of the five, which is why the results were similar.

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muldrik
Member

114

11-09-2022, 12:13 AM

#18

I resolved the problem! It turned out to be related to the noise after turning on EXPO for my RAM, which increased the volume. Turning it off reduced the frequency, though it still occurred occasionally. I repeatedly searched for the source and eventually tested the PC on its side. Interestingly, the noise disappeared completely when the device rested on its side. This happened despite only changes in orientation being due to gravity. I also tried cleaning the GPU and CPU cooler, tightening screws on the M.2 heatsink, and even made a temporary anti-sag bracket from LEGO pieces to check for GPU sag. Those attempts didn’t help, so I focused on the CPU cooler. It also showed slight sagging, so I crafted a small anti-sag bracket on top of the GPU backplate to add support. Surprisingly, the noise vanished! After more than two hours of testing, I only heard a faint sound—barely audible. If it weren’t for the PC being close and its side panel off, I wouldn’t have detected it. Thanks to the helpful people in this thread for their support. I’d label this as my final answer, though there’s a solutions counter under user names that I’d prefer not to boost for my own use. It feels a bit off.