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Squeaking noise from computer

G

Giscardo

Senior member
I just put together a new system. Here are the specs:

AMD Athlon64 3200+ (newcastle, 512K, running at 2475mhz)
2x512 Crucial PC3200 DDR
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
Audigy 2 ZS
Thermaltake 420W Power Supply (the $40 newegg one)
Epox 8kDA3J
Maxtor 160GB SATA

When I'm playing Far Cry I get these high pitched squealing sounds coming from my computer. It doesn't happen constantly, only sometimes. For instance I was in a jungle level and when I turn towards the forest, with lots of trees, i hear the sound, but if I turn towards the mountain, so that the only thing on the screen is the mountainside texture, no other geometry, I don't hear the sound. I don't think it's the hard drive because i don't hear any sound during times I know there is HD activity, like bootup or loading farcry, or loading a level in farcry.

This leads me to believe that the CPU or the graphics card is drawing more power and causing the sound to come from the motherboard or possibly the power supply.

Has anyone encountered this? What is it? Will it harm my computer, and is there any way to get rid of it?
 
The only time I've heard a high pitched squeal is from the monitor. If you have a CRT it could be that you are doing something it doesn't like. Maybe changing the refresh rate or resolution will help. Refresh is probably the best place to start since it won't affect the graphics much. Try going to a lower frequency if possible.

-D'oh!
 
when i use hardware sensor pro and the cpu throttling feature, my cpu will whine when i put in on load.. So that might be one cause for it. Another is when i put the cpu on load, the fan spins a bit faster - for some reason my voltage goes up when it's on load. So if your fan isn't very good, then that might be another cause of the noise.
 
Anyone thinking your CPU is whining needs to put down the crack pipe. That high pitched whine is caused by capacitors. Unfortunately, your desk area is full of them. It could be your motherboard, it could be your monitor, it could be your power supply, or your video card or sound card.

Looking at your system, I'd be quick to blame the part that says Thermaltake on it. Couldn't help to narrow it down though. Probably not your monitor since you only get the problem under high load.
 
Originally posted by: Nebor
Anyone thinking your CPU is whining needs to put down the crack pipe. That high pitched whine is caused by capacitors. Unfortunately, your desk area is full of them. It could be your motherboard, it could be your monitor, it could be your power supply, or your video card or sound card.

Looking at your system, I'd be quick to blame the part that says Thermaltake on it. Couldn't help to narrow it down though. Probably not your monitor since you only get the problem under high load.
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i don't think it's the capacitors when using hardware sensor pro. From what i understand, the software inserts idle commands into the cpu - and i believe it's doing it in a way that makes that high pitch sound. Explain to me how the caps are making the noise. I never hear the noise unless using the cpu throttling from that program.
 
Try turning your monitor off when your hear the sound and see if it stops. I used to have a Dell 19" that would squeal when displaying bright images so I sent it back for a refund. If it's not your monitor, I would agree with most everyone that it's your PSU.

doobie
 
It's not my monitor, because as I said, the sound is only present when there is a lot of geometry on the screen. I ran ATI Tool that comes with the Omega radeon drivers. It lets you find the max core and max memory, and it checks for artifacts. It displays a 3d rendered image of a furry cube. When the cube is still, there is no squeak from my computer. As soon as it starts to rotate, the sound starts. This happens without fail.

I don't recall it being there during any prime95 tests either, so I'm thinking that the video card rather than the CPU is causing this.

My PS supplies 18A*12V = 216W on the 12V rail (which is used by the Radeon, and the CPU, and maybe other devices). The CPU is probably getting in the vicinity of 100W, and the video card I'm not sure about. I should get a Power supply with a much higher rail, for when I get a next gen video card.

So why are the capacitors squeaking, what causes them to squeak, and is it a sign that something is not working properly or working out of spec? Should I avoid running my computer until I get a new Power Supply? Why do I keep capitalizing "Power Supply"?
 
I think your PSU is rated at 17A for hte 12V rail according to thermaltake. At least that's what it says on my box and my PSU. Newegg may have put the wrong specs on it's website.
 
The squealing is, I believe, made by the capacitors vibrating ever so slightly but at a very high rate.
 
If you decide to pick up a new PSU, I'd highly recommend this one: Tagan 480W for $78 shipped. One of the better things about it is that it supports ATX 2.03 and BTX 1.0 so you'll be set for a while should you decide to upgrade to the newest boards later on. Here's a good review at Hexus: LINK. I have it and it's totally silent, has excellent stability, and provides 28A on the 12V rail. Good luck!

doobie
 
I just quieted down my rig quite a bit and I am pretty sure I hear squealing comming from my EPoX 8KDA3J mobo!!! hmm maybe I need to contact EPox about this...
 
Originally posted by: Giscardo
It's not my monitor, because as I said, the sound is only present when there is a lot of geometry on the screen. I ran ATI Tool that comes with the Omega radeon drivers. It lets you find the max core and max memory, and it checks for artifacts. It displays a 3d rendered image of a furry cube. When the cube is still, there is no squeak from my computer. As soon as it starts to rotate, the sound starts. This happens without fail.

I don't recall it being there during any prime95 tests either, so I'm thinking that the video card rather than the CPU is causing this.

My PS supplies 18A*12V = 216W on the 12V rail (which is used by the Radeon, and the CPU, and maybe other devices). The CPU is probably getting in the vicinity of 100W, and the video card I'm not sure about. I should get a Power supply with a much higher rail, for when I get a next gen video card.

So why are the capacitors squeaking, what causes them to squeak, and is it a sign that something is not working properly or working out of spec? Should I avoid running my computer until I get a new Power Supply? Why do I keep capitalizing "Power Supply"?
Click to expand...

I know exactly what you're taking about. have same video card(modded to xt) and when i use ati too...same noise while it's moving, but quiet while still. I'd call it more of a whining though definatly an electric sound. it also does it sometimes even in non 3d games. In the game Heroes of might and magic 3(like 5 years old) if i right click on something it brings up a little information window and the video card whines/squeeks.

I'm pretty sure it is the video card-Yes, I did stick my head completely inside my case while running atitool- but it could be a capacitor on the mobo near the video card or something. I've replaced my psu and it did it with the old and new ones so I doubt it's that.

good luck, i don't feel like rmaing mine for just whining so i just ignore it. let me know if you find anything out
 
how you gonna rma your modded VC in good conscience?

Yeah my first thought was the vid card, mine aint modded, but the (stock still - wow a new meaning for "stock still") fan on it rubs a little sometimes if I have the comp standing up. On it's side - no squeakage.

My vid card is BBA ATI 9800 Pro 256Mb.
 
I've had a couple video card fans go on me in my time... they make a horrible racket when the bearings start to go.
 
Hi everyone,

I too am having the squealing sound coming from somewhere around the mobo. The worst part is that I'm having all sorts of problems with the system. I've just upgraded to an A64 3000+, with an EPoX 8KDA3J. I really sounds like it's coming from the CPU, or somewhere around there. I'm certain it's not any fans (I've stopped them all, and the squealing still happens), nor the powersupply. Sometimes the squealing depends on what I'm doing on the desktop. For example, it's happened when I was just scrolling some text file, and stopped when I stopped scrolling. I'm pretty sure that it's not the hard drives either because they never did any noise with the old mobo...

What's going on?
 
You may want to check your cpu an try swapping with a different one. I had a AMD ATHLON 64 3000+ that would make a squeaking noise when put under a load , I tried another cpu an the noise was gone. Now I won't say that it's not something else in the MB but it sure seems to me that its the cpu, also I am still running that cpu and it works great I just put the tower in the cabinet in the desk an keep the door closed so it don't annoy me.
 
tomc3976 said:
You may want to check your cpu an try swapping with a different one. I had a AMD ATHLON 64 3000+ that would make a squeaking noise when put under a load , I tried another cpu an the noise was gone. Now I won't say that it's not something else in the MB but it sure seems to me that its the cpu, also I am still running that cpu and it works great I just put the tower in the cabinet in the desk an keep the door closed so it don't annoy me.
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Holy necro, I hope you realize you answered about 6 years too late.
 
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