The coil whine may stem from the GPU, motherboard, or power supply unit.
The coil whine may stem from the GPU, motherboard, or power supply unit.
I've been dealing with coil whine for more than a year. Despite swapping several parts, the issue persists and has even changed over time. I also notice the noise coming through my front headphone jack. After returning my GPU via RMA, the replacement unit had minimal whine, but they labeled it as within acceptable limits—seeming odd given how noticeable it was. It likely involves all three components together: power supply, graphics card, and motherboard. Here are the setups I've tested:
1. Sapphire Pulse RX 5500 XT + B460M Pro4 (1) + System Power 9 600w (1) – some whine present but not extreme.
2. Palit RTX 2060 + B460M Pro4 (1) + System Power 9 600w (1) – noticeable whine, appears to originate from the PSU.
3. MSI Gaming X RX 5500 XT + B460M Pro4 (1) + RM650x (2018) – very strong whine; it was audible even over headphones with the side panel on, sometimes causing buzzing during video playback.
Other attempts included:
- MSI Gaming X RX 5500 XT + B460M Pro4 (2) + System Power 600w (2) – same as setup 3, possibly starting through the front jack.
- MSI Gaming X RX 5500 XT + B460M Pro4 (2) + RM650x – identical to setup 3 and 4, potentially entering via the audio jack.
- Gigabyte RTX 2060 + B460M Pro4 (2) + RM650x (2018) – quieter than others but still a bit of whine. Sound remains consistent across configurations, though much less noticeable.
It seems the problem could stem from the PSU, GPU, and motherboard together. I’m considering recording the sound with the Gigabyte 2060 to get clearer insights. It might help to adjust the volume level so the noise becomes more apparent.
High current usage often causes coil whine in components. My laptop makes noise when throttling, and my GPU is now much quieter. The PSU, GPU, and motherboard can all show this issue. Even the old QC2 charger emitted audible whine. If you notice whine through analog audio, it suggests electromagnetic interference problems.
You could try grounding the PC to see if it resolves the EMI problems. Adding those new files you mentioned might help clarify what’s being played through the front jack. The offer of a €200 refund on your GPU is worth considering, and opting for the RX 6600 at €330 seems like a reasonable choice if you want quieter performance.
Based on my observations, repairing such setups is often not feasible, particularly for front jacks that feature a long cable inside the PC with ample opportunities to capture background noise. That's why I switched to USB audio.
Have you experimented with using the computer elsewhere, such as at a friend's or family member's home? Sometimes low-quality wiring or inconsistent power from your service can cause problems? Additionally, connecting the PC to a grounded outlet might help, or even better, using a UPS to stabilize the power supply. Honestly, it would be wise to always use a grounded outlet and a surge protector at the very least.
I might attempt that, but moving my PC elsewhere won’t be simple. They’re quite costly and I make about €8 each month, making a UPS impractical. Besides the kitchen and bathroom, we lack grounded outlets, and I’m sure my parents wouldn’t want to install them due to expense. I do have it connected to a surge protector.