Power Supply making noise when idle?

[aphex]

I've never seen this before so I'm just gonna go ahead and replace the PS, but has anyone ever seen a PS make a noise like a seeking HD when idle? I just replaced my HDD with an SSD, so i can hear more of the rest of my computer. Cleaned out the dust, seems to be the same as before. I just find strange that the noise seems to be tied to the usage of the computer (for example - scrolling a webpage makes it stop while its moving).

 

[Meghan54]

I've had the same thing happen a few years ago with one of mine. Was a coil going "bad."

Have you checked your voltages yet? If they appear stable, the noise is probably from a benign cause, but irritating.

 

[BrianTho2010]

That noise is somewhat common in cheaper or failing power supplies.

I have had power supplies last for years with that high pitched whine, but if you are concerned about it, just replace the power supply with a good Seasonic manufactured model.

The reason for the change in noise based on usage is the power load on the power supply. Some power supplies will make more noise under load and other will make more noise at idle. I have seen it go either way.

 

[mikerollingsolo]

My corsair builders series cx500 makes that noise when I turn off the computer indefinitely...I am a newbie and was under the impression corsair made good psu's? So far so good with the coil whining noises, but should I be afraid of a failed psu soon?

 

[BrianTho2010]

the CX series from corsair is the low end line which is not made by Seasonic like their other lines.

Jonnyguru.com rated the CX400 highly but noted poor build quality despite good performance.

 

[Rvenger]

the CX series from corsair is the low end line which is not made by Seasonic like their other lines.

Jonnyguru.com rated the CX400 highly but noted poor build quality despite good performance.

Whoa, fact check...



http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-CX400W-Power-Supply-Review/750/1

"Like most power supplies from Corsair, CX400W is manufactured by Seasonic "

 

[BoomerD]

Whoa, fact check...


http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-CX400W-Power-Supply-Review/750/1

"Like most power supplies from Corsair, CX400W is manufactured by Seasonic "

Corsair buys from a variety of manufacturers...primarily Seasonic and CWT.

http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/psu_manufacturers

Corsair
AX-650 – Seasonic
AX-750 – Seasonic
AX-850 – Seasonic
AX-1200 – Flextronics

CX-400 – Seasonic
CX-430 – Channel Well(CWT)
CX-430 v2 – Channel Well(CWT)
CX-500 – Channel Well(CWT)
CX-500 v2 – Channel Well(CWT)
CX-600 – Channel Well(CWT)
CX-600 v2 – Channel Well(CWT)

Gaming Series GS600 – Channel Well(CWT)
Gaming Series GS700 – Channel Well(CWT)
Gaming Series GS800 – Channel Well(CWT)

HX-450 – Seasonic
HX-520 – Seasonic
HX-620 – Seasonic
HX-650 – Seasonic
HX-750 – Channel Well (CWT) (DSG platform)
HX-850 – Channel Well (CWT) (DSG platform)
HX-1000 – Channel Well (CWT)
HX-1050 – Channel Well (CWT)

TX-650 – Seasonic
TX-750 – Channel Well (CWT) (PSH(older) platform)
TX-750 v2 – Seasonic
TX-850 – Channel Well (CWT) (PSH(older) platform)
TX-850 v2 – Seasonic
TX-950 – Channel Well (CWT) (DSG platform)

VX-450 – Seasonic
VX-550 – Channel Well (CWT) (PSH platform)

 

[BrianTho2010]

Whoa, fact check...



http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/Corsair-CX400W-Power-Supply-Review/750/1

"Like most power supplies from Corsair, CX400W is manufactured by Seasonic "

Ack, I was thinking of the 430. I had this confusion earlier. very annoying that they have a 430 and 400 watt model.

 

[mindless1]

"Like a seeking HDD" doesn't remind me of coil whining, it reminds me of a fan with an elliptically worn bearing which allows the fan shaft to wobble around at certain RPMs... with RPM varying based on PSU temperature and/or minor fluctuations in 12V rail voltage based on load. If it is a high pitched sound, ignore what I just wrote.