There might be a potential grounding issue in the latest build.
There might be a potential grounding issue in the latest build.
I recently assembled my first PC and everything is functioning well, yet I suspect a grounding issue might be at play. I experienced significant coil whine from my RTX 3060ti during high-frame-rate gaming. The noise was so intense it was audible even with the fans running at full speed. Thinking it was a faulty component, I returned it to the retailer who didn’t identify any problems but proceeded to replace it. After installing the new card, the same loud buzzing persisted. At 120 fps it’s extremely noticeable, while at 60 fps it disappears completely. Additionally, I notice buzzing on my auxiliary outputs, which weren’t present when only the CPU was running and the GPU was replaced.
This persistent audio interference leads me to believe a grounding problem rather than just coil whine, especially since it’s so loud. My PC is built in a fractal ridge case with the GPU mounted on a riser card. I’m curious if the riser card could be contributing to this issue. I’m seeking advice on tests I can perform to confirm whether this is indeed a grounding-related problem. Are riser cards known to cause such behavior? Thank you in advance for your help, and please read this carefully.
Edit: My setup includes an EVGA 650w Supernova GM SFX power supply.
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!
If you think it's a grounding issue, you should feel a mild tingling sensation when you touch the metal part of your case and your feet are making contact with a (non-wooden, non-carpeted)tiled floor. You can resolve the issue by making sure the wall outlet the PC is hooked is grounded, if not, relocate to another wall outlet.
How old is he PSU in your build?
+
Please list the specs to your build like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard?
If you think it's coil whine, you will need to get a hold of an A4 sheet of paper, then roll it into a cylinder, then hold one end to the ear. The other end is then sued to probe for the source of the whine.
Thanks for your response, I appreciate the details you provided. Here are your specifications:
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 5600G
CPU cooler: Noctua NH-L9x65
Motherboard: ASRock B550M-ITX/ac
Ram: A Crucial 2x8 DDR4 3200 kit (exact brand unknown, obtained from my dad's workplace)
SSD: WD blue SN570 2tb
GPU: ASUS GeForce RTX 3060 TI Dual OC white
PSU: EVGA supernova GM 650 (brand-new)
Chassis: Fractal Design Ridge white
OS: Windows 11
Monitor: Old Dell monitor via displayport, no high refresh rate support
Additional notes: Running BIOS version 2.90, which is the latest for this motherboard; no tingling sensation when touching the case; audio jack shows interference but vibrations seem to pass through; isolated from other components; no grounded sockets at home, so testing isn't possible. I've tried using an A4 paper sheet to check for grounding issues and adjusted dual 8-pin GPU ports without success. I'm becoming more eager to disassemble my PC and rebuild it without a riser card to explore further unless you have other suggestions.