Electronic noise or something, help please

[SparkyJJO]

I recently just put together my new computer, Asus A8R-32MVP Deluxe, radeon x1900xt, Athlon 64 3700+ (gonna OC this sucker), 2GB RAM, 250GB SATA2 HD, Antec Truepower 2 550W PSU. It works great, except for one VERY ANNOYING thing - graphics give me this very annoying buzzing sound coming from the inside of the computer. As soon as I stop (like exit the screensaver) it quits. I heard it faintly too when I was copying data from my external HD backup onto my internal drive.

Does anyone have any idea what it may be? It is coming from the middle of the case somewhere, not around the power supply.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Rubycon]

Inductor sing on the video card. Not much you can do about this unfortunately. I have a box with X1900XTX's and it does the same thing particularly with older, low res games and demos. It's VERY annoying and makes you think something is going to cut loose (blow up!) in the box at any time.

 

[SparkyJJO]

Does nVidia have this issue? I had a 9800 pro awhile back and I had some noise there too, tho not as much. You'd think that ATI would fix that....

 

[Rubycon]

Yes the 5950's were very notorious for this problem.

 

[SparkyJJO]

One thing I'm curious about is my X1900XT is bent - like, the end of it after the heatsink bends downwards. Pic HERE

I just found that none of my 3D screensavers are working properly. They jump around or jitter strangely. But I just ran COD2 and it ran flawlessly.

I'm thinking of RMA'ing it

 

[Rubycon]

Ouch that's a LOT of stress pushing down on that board. Looks like there is not enough space for the PCI-E connector getting pushed up against that "bulkhead" in your case.

If you're using DVI you may get flickering if the "Reduce DVI frequency on high resolutions displays" and "Alternate DVI operational mode" options are checked. They are checked by default.

 

[SparkyJJO]

That is the thing, there IS no stress on that card. I pulled it out of the anti-static bag bent that way.

I'll check those settings to see if it fixed my screensavers

 

[SparkyJJO]

Well interesting it didn't fix the problem, but it was working fine, up until a point. The card warmed up more, the fan sped up a little, and it started jittering around. I watched it and what it was doing was suddenly going too fast for a moment, practically skipping up to 10 seconds of the screensaver at a time. I think between that, the noise, and the bent end of the card it is time to RMA the thing and hope the new one fixes it all.

 

[elite6]

Dude....RMA that card if it came that way. Whether or not that is causing problems right now, that is a potential source of problems down the road.

I mean who knows what got messed up on the board when it was bent like that...theres lotsa magical stuff in video cards that are hard to see and determine if they are broken. (^_^)

...And that bent area is awful close to the card's power regulation circuitry, so that definitely cannot be good.

Good luck.

 

[igowerf]

I'm noticing a buzzing noise on my 7900GT too. At first, I thought it was the fan because the buzz got a lot louder when I played Oblivion. I remember reading somewhere about using epoxy to hold the coils in place. Anyone know what kind?

Unfornately, I can't RMA my card now because I've already replace the stock cooler and added ramsinks.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: igowerf
I'm noticing a buzzing noise on my 7900GT too. At first, I thought it was the fan because the buzz got a lot louder when I played Oblivion. I remember reading somewhere about using epoxy to hold the coils in place. Anyone know what kind?

Unfornately, I can't RMA my card now because I've already replace the stock cooler and added ramsinks.

Zepper once noted how someone had used a bead of silicone to deaden the ring of Zalman 7700 fins. I liked that because it was a simple solution.

Care in selection is a prime concern when using any chemical agent on a pcb or componet on it. The clear coat women use to cover colored nail polish is non-reactive with pcb coatings, so is GOOP Plumbing Silicone Adhesive http://www.amazinggoop.com/ I could find the names of agents used in some silicones that ARE very aggressive but won't spend the half hour to do it. Just trust me when I say, don't just grab any silicone and use it to stabilize your coil.
I would clean the area w/Q-Tip and alcohol, then use a good sized, but not messy, glob on each side of the coil. You might have to do one side at a time, giving it several hours to skin-up real thick. It takes 24hours for full cure.

Coils are dipped in epoxy after they have been removed from the pcb. I've never done this, just read about it. Some cheap epoxies are thinned w/acetone *shudders*. Acetone is one of THE most aggressive solvents to even think of getting near electronics. So I would use silicone and can reccomend the GOOP type as noted above. I did research it about 6months ago and have used it on boards. It works great for mounting fans on NM sinks too. Just pre-clean properly and use sparingly for fan mounting. GOOP has a VG thermal tolerance and will not crack as super glues can.


...Galvanized

 

[Rubycon]

Goop is not based on silicone room temperature vulcanizing sealant.

Polyimide based epoxies of the fast setting variety (have fishy smell) would be your best bet as they don't stay thin long enough to actually change component value of the target, etc.

Silicones (RTV) release acetic acid (vinegar but with higher molarity) that can be corrosive to some electronic components. Blue versions used for gasket work will attack aluminum. Newer blends especially for use around tubs have anti mildew agents in them which again should be avoided.

There are specific glues and compounds available to address this issue actually. Such things may be found under various trade names like "resist fix" or "radio dope". They're basically nail polish without additives for nail hardening.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
Goop is not based on silicone room temperature vulcanizing sealant.

Polyimide based epoxies of the fast setting variety (have fishy smell) would be your best bet as they don't stay thin long enough to actually change component value of the target, etc.

Silicones (RTV) release acetic acid (vinegar but with higher molarity) that can be corrosive to some electronic components. Blue versions used for gasket work will attack aluminum. Newer blends especially for use around tubs have anti mildew agents in them which again should be avoided.

There are specific glues and compounds available to address this issue actually. Such things may be found under various trade names like "resist fix" or "radio dope". They're basically nail polish without additives for nail hardening.

A link or two for further study would be appreciated Ms Dawn.
Before sinking some fets the Plumbing GOOP was tested on an old pcb. It was left for three days in the sun, then remove by vigorous finger rubbing. No damage was to be seen under magnification. Then it was used on a good board to insulate the legs on fets from any AS Silver Epoxy that was used for bonding the tiny sinks.
It has excellent adhesion when used for mounting fans. Four tiny dots will hold an aux 80mm fan to the intake of cross flow PSUs. This I've done to keep the internal fan from ramping-up.
The clear coat nail polish is flexable enough to be a decent sealent. I will leave the bottle open to let it thicken up a bit, even after selecting the thickest in store. Sure got some funny looks as I perused viles in the nail polish section
I chose these products because they are so avalible.

Links if you would be so inclined.

...Galvanized

 

[Rubycon]

No funny looks when buying nail polish for me.

This also works extremely well.

 

[JBT]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
One thing I'm curious about is my X1900XT is bent - like, the end of it after the heatsink bends downwards. Pic HERE

I just found that none of my 3D screensavers are working properly. They jump around or jitter strangely. But I just ran COD2 and it ran flawlessly.

I'm thinking of RMA'ing it

my card had the same bent shape with the stock fan on. I changed over to an Arctic Accelero X2 and the bend is gone.
Mine also whined like yours was. I can't tell if its gone or not I ussually use head phones when I play games.

 

[igowerf]

Originally posted by: MS Dawn
No funny looks when buying nail polish for me.

This also works extremely well.

Thanks! I'll pick up some Goop or SealAll next week and that should hopefully fix it.

 

[furballi]

The cure time for RTV is usually 24 to 48 hours. The amount of acetic acid released during the curing period is negligible and should not affect the thick copper wire or ferrite core of the inductor and/or coil. Another advantage of RTV is the resistance to stress cracking at operating temperature and frequency. The silicone is also superior at noise absorbtion. One can pickup a small tube of RTV at many aquarium stores for under $5.

If you're paranoid, then check out Grainger or Mc Master Carr for RTV specifically formulated for use on electronics.

 

[SparkyJJO]

apparently I bought my x1900xt at the wrong time - I'm not the only one who recently got a bent card, Take a look at the 3rd review from the top also the first 2 don't look good either all of a sudden. I hope the replacement is OK :/

I think my mobo has a little bit of inductor sing somewhere, not very noticeable but I have sensitive hearing so I can hear it plainly (I can hear a TV that is on in another room that has the speakers muted - there is a high-pitched noise the tube makes). Maybe I can trace it, and if so I may try some of that silicone/epoxy stuff that you guys suggested.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

My hearing was never that good.
You might try holding a NON-conductive small diameter plastic tube to your best ear
Then searching for the source with the other end. It works!! Never used one on electronics
but plenty of other noise makers.


...Galvanized

 

[SparkyJJO]

I just find it interesting - this x1900xt is the 5th radeon I've had. I had the radeon 64MB DDR VIVO (aka 7200), 9600, 9700pro, 9800pro, now the x1900xt. The 7200, 9700, and 9800 were all built by ATI, the 9600 was connect3d and this x1900xt is powercolor. I NEVER had any trouble with the BBATI cards, but the connect3d was a joke (sent it in twice) and now this powercolor gives me issues.

I think from now on I'm buying only BBATI or sapphire - sapphire I know is fine since several ppl I know of have them and they have no trouble. I'd imagine Asus cards would be fine too, since they are known to generally be a good company.

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

I still run a 6800 Vanilla but I will give an observation.
As price points lower, profit margins must be maintained, power demands go up, componets are driven at higher frequencies to be more efficiant, odd things will happen.
That's my take on it anywho.


...Galvanized