Noise increases with CPU usage - PSU?

[VivienM]

I've noticed this bizarre trend with my Linux HTPC whereby, if I start to do anything extremely CPU intensive, the amount of noise will increase 10-15 seconds later...

The 'obvious' explanation would be a variable-speed CPU fan, but I'm using a Zalman 7000, which runs at a fixed speed. Could it be my PSU turning on some kind of fan? And if so, does it mean my PSU (which seems to be spewing out a lot of hot air) is getting close to its maximum output?

System specs are the following:
- Deleron 2.66GHz (skt. 478)
- Abit IS7
- 2 HDs, 2 optical drives
- a 300W Antec PSU (SmartPower?) that came with an SLK1600 case
- some ancient very low power GF2MX (AGP)
- 2 TV tuners, a sound card, and a Gig. E. card (all PCI)
- 1 gig DDR400

Time to upgrade to a shiny new Seasonic?

 

[GalvanizedYankee]

Probably the ball bearings in the PSU's fan are crying out.
That 10~15 seconds is just about right for the fans thermal controller to react.
Google replacing PSU fan. Replace the old fan with one of the same spec.
While it's open inspect for badcaps. Pics here http://www.badcaps.net/Ident/
If you join thier forum give Galvanized the referral...Please.


...Galvanized