Quiet High-frequency Noise Coming From PC

[Meehael]

Hi,

after I shut down my PC, or whenever it is off, I can hear quiet, but annoying, high-frequency noise coming from my PC case. This is not the case when it's on.

I have:
MB: Asus P8H61 Pro
CPU: Intel Core i3-2120
PSU: Corsair Builder CX 500W
RAM: 4GB DDR3 1333MHz Corsair
GPU: nVidia GeForce GTX560 1GB

WinXP Pro SP3

Any ideas?

Thanks

 

[Zap]

Likely the PSU. See if you can narrow it down even farther, by taking off the side panel to try listening closer.

 

[lehtv]

Sounds like PSU coil whine. Usually it's nothing to worry about, unless you simply dislike it in which case you can try RMA.

If simply removing the side panel doesn't help you narrow it down, roll a sheet of paper and point one end to your ear (without touching it) and the other end to different components (again without touching).

 

[Meehael]

Argh, I can't get it to produce the noise now.

Gotta try some other time. Maybe when it heats up more.

 

[PowerYoga]

Had it before, was the PSU for me. I swapped to a good quality one (think it was an antec something or other) and didn't have that whining problem until I retired that box.

 

[lehtv]

Good quality units can have coil whine too. I've heard several reports of coil whine in Seasonic X-650, despite it being a top performer

 

[mfenn]

Your input power can also have an effect on the PSU. If you have really dirty power where you live (i.e. far from a true sine wave), you are more likely to get coil whine.

 

[Meehael]

Got it. It's the PSU. Thanks

I live in an older building (about 50 years old), and have had to replace some power outlets in another room, so could it be due to power installations and/or dirty power? Although, I don't remember I had this problem with the previous PSU (Fortron 400W).

Should I return it to the seller or can I "fix" it somehow?

 

[lehtv]

Can you try the PC in a different socket to see if the problem persists? Or in a different house altogether? It'd be pretty pointless to replace the PSU if it doesn't

 

[Meehael]

Can you try the PC in a different socket to see if the problem persists? Or in a different house altogether? It'd be pretty pointless to replace the PSU if it doesn't

I understand. OK, I can take it from here.

Thank you, all.