Question EVGA 850W GQ Coil whine
Question EVGA 850W GQ Coil whine
So I just assembled a new PC in December, and everything else is fresh, except the GPU.
Mobo: B650M Aorus Elite Ax
CPU: Ryzen 7600x
GPU: GTX 970
PSU: EVGA 850W GQ
RAM: 16gb x 2 Corsair 5600mhz
From the first boot, I consistently heard a high-pitched noise, which I think is coil whine. It gets louder when the PC is idle or browsing, but decreases significantly if I start games or do more power-intensive tasks like watching 4K videos at double speed. The noise stops completely sometimes. When I close the game, it takes only a short time for the sound to resume.
To identify the source of the noise, I used a toilet paper tube and examined the PC for any signs. I suspect it might be coming from the PSU, but I’m not sure if it’s the GPU or the motherboard. I believe it’s more likely from the PSU since I haven’t experienced coil whine with this GPU in another machine.
To answer your questions:
- Does it really sound like PSU coil whine, or could it be something else?
- Some people don’t hear it. They say they don’t, but for me it’s extremely loud.
Since I’m using an older GPU, during assembly I added a few PCIe cables to the PSU so that when I upgrade the GPU it’s already connected. So I have two cables: one for the GTX 970 and another just for testing. Is there any issue with this setup?
- Could the problem persist over time? It’s been about three weeks since I built the PC, and I don’t want to waste more time doing an RMA.
- Is there a way to silence it? I’ve heard that stressing the PSU—running power-hungry applications for a few days—can help. Is that true or just a myth?
Thank you all for your time.
I notice the coil whine, as mentioned if that bothersome sound is an issue.
Not accurate. The GQ is quite superior. It may be dated, but it remains satisfactory.
Coilwhine generally arises from the GPU/PSU/Mobo and occurs when the casings of a component vibrate or resonate. It happens during current flow. While it may be bothersome to listen to, it poses no risk and doesn't impact performance. If the issue falls under warranty (and you're certain it's the cause, then return it for repair), proceed accordingly.