My 15 month old build needs help

[fourbg]

I need some help. I built the following rig with help from all of you about 15 months ago:

- Intel i5-3570
- ASRock Z77 Pro3 Motherboard
- a 120MB SSD (Intel)
- G.SKILL Ripjaws 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1600
- LITE-ON burner

Well, about two weeks ago a high pitched whine started that begins at boot and never varies until I power off. I've been able to narrow it down to the motherboard (disconnected hard drives, listened to the CPU and fan, the PSU and fan, etc.). So I'm looking for help on two questions:

1. Am I correct that this motherboard is making the high-pitched whine (I've seen some postings that say ASRock motherboards of this vintage had a bad run on resistors/capacitors)?

2. If so, and most importantly, what motherboard should I buy to replace it with, without changing out the other components?

Thanks in advance for any insight!

 

[master_shake_]

more than likely its coil whine.

do you have intel speed step disabled?

if you are looking to replace, get a z77 board from ASUS.

 

[fourbg]

master_shake_

Thanks for the quick reply!

I did just disable intel speed step and still have the whine.

Which z77 board from ASUS will be compatible with my other components? I'm perfectly happy with this "old" board's speed so no need to upgrade the MB.

 

[DSF]

Graphics cards can also be a source of coil whine if I'm not mistaken. Just to be clear, you are using the integrated video, is that right?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Huh.

I was under the impression that whiny noises were most frequently the PSU.

Should be easy enough to diagnose though. You can power up the PSU by itself if you short the appropriate pins. If no whine, then plug components in one at a time until the noise starts again.

I only mention this because I missed it myself once upon a time. (Replaced a motherboard because I didn't check the PSU in isolation.)

 

[fourbg]

DSF

Yes, I'm using the integrated graphics card.

dave_the_nerd

I hadn't specifically tested the PSU, other than putting my ear to it. I'll do some reading up on how to power it up by itself. It's an Antec SmartPower 450.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[fourbg]

dave_the_nerd

That's a cool website you've linked. I'll let you all know how it goes!

 

[mfenn]

Agree that's it's coil whine. Check the GPU if you have one, and also check the PSU as Dave pointed out.

Once/If you know that it's the motherboard, then try pressing on each of the components with a pencil eraser. Once you find the part that makes the whine stop, turn off the computer and paint over the component with some clear nail polish. When you power up the PC the noise should be gone.

The reason the nail polish works is that the whining noise is caused by a very high frequency vibration of the component against the PCB substrate. The nail polish acts as a very mild adhesive which damps the vibration.