Could my PSU be overworked? Weird noise coming from PC

[RESmonkey]

...and by while, I mean more than a year now. Especially when I boot it. Right now, while running only Firefox, it's humming.

Now, the sound may be coming from somewhere else (CPU fan? GPU fan?). I just recently (yesterday) cleaned the comp and took out dust. My dad even opened the PSU to clean the fan (I know, I know...). We cleaned everything, and this noise is still coming.

 

[Yellowbeard]

If it is a hum, it could be a fan noise. Try this:
Turn computer off.
While it's off, use a non conductive object to block the PSU fan from turning.
Power the unit on and see if you still hear the noise while the PSU fan is not turning.

It won't hurt it to do this for a few seconds. If you still hear the hum, try to find out specifically where it is coming from.

What PSU is it?

 

[supaidaaman]

Im going through a very similar problem with my antec truepower, except the hum changes when i plug in the keyboard. Its like the tone shifts from bad to worse. Also when i load up certain games like WoW, the loading screen makes the power supply scream even more. (I swapped out my graphics card, and the problem was still there, so i know that wasnt it)

Im in the process of buying a new PSU, hopefully its that, ....and not the motherboard :*(

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: supaidaaman
Im going through a very similar problem with my antec truepower, except the hum changes when i plug in the keyboard. Its like the tone shifts from bad to worse. Also when i load up certain games like WoW, the loading screen makes the power supply scream even more. (I swapped out my graphics card, and the problem was still there, so i know that wasnt it)

Im in the process of buying a new PSU, hopefully its that, ....and not the motherboard :*(

Is it a "hum" or a "scream" as in a squealing sound? If it is an audible hum, it could be the fan. When it gets louder under load, it is the fan making more noise as it speeds up to handle the extra heat. I'd suggest using the method I posted above and see if it is in fact the fan.

 

[supaidaaman]

Its definitely an electronic squeal (but not a very loud one..I have heard a PSU die, and those things really rip your ears apart)

EDIT: To the OP

Id set the case on its side laying flat, and put your ear right onto the PSU, then move down your case. (easier to get close when its laying == as opposed to []

 

[RESmonkey]

Mines a hum + louded straining noises. Brrrummmm BRUMMM brummm. bruuuummmmmmm BRUMMM brummmmm

 

[Yellowbeard]

Originally posted by: RESmonkey
Mines a hum + louded straining noises. Brrrummmm BRUMMM brummm. bruuuummmmmmm BRUMMM brummmmm

Did you ever test to see if it is the fan making the noise?

 

[RESmonkey]

I had nmy dad clean it all, including opening the PSU and dusting the fan (I was like, WTF?).

I guess I should remove the GPU with an old one that doesn't have a fan, first, right? If noise is still there, it would have to be CPU or PSU fans. How would I test those?

btw, this is a 6yr old Dell Diemsnion 4400. Stock fan. Only thing I did was add ram, dvd burner, better GPU.