Question Strange sound from brand new PSU

[avatar55]

Hey guys,

So I just bought a brand new Enermax PlatiGemini 1200W PSU and installed it a couple of days ago. Yesterday when I was just doing some light desktop tasks, I noticed a strange ticking-sound definitely coming from the PSU. I have recorded the sound with my phone - see link below. The sound lasts for maybe a minute or two, then goes away, and randomly reappears and goes away again. Anyone have any clue to what this can be? Please note that there is also some ambient noise in the background, like case fans and rain against a window. The PSU-sound is only the rythmic sound.

Link to soundclip.

or

All input will be greatly appreciated!

__________________________________
Motherboard: ROG Strix X570-E Gaming
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800X3D
Cooler: Noctua NH-U12A
RAM: 2x16GB G.Skill Trident Z Neo Series DDR4 3600MHz
GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 3080 GAMING X TRIO
SSD: 2TB Samsung 990 PRO NVMe M.2
PSU: Enermax PlatiGemini 1200W ATX 3.1

 

[mindless1]

The fan grill grates on that PSU look nice and wide. That would allow me to stick a plastic straw in to gently stop the fan to see if that stops the noise.

However, unless there is just some airflow blocker/diverter piece of plastic sheeting flapping around, that you can nudge into a different position without having to open the PSU, otherwise I would just return it to place of purchase for a refund or if too much time has elapsed since purchase, then get it replaced under warranty.

If for some reason you aren't eligible for warranty replacement, then I'd open it up, and power the system while hoping to replicate the noise and find the source. Do not electrocute yourself, sometimes the heatsink(s) are live with high voltage. If you are uncomfortable doing that, then don't.

 

[avatar55]

The fan grill grates on that PSU look nice and wide. That would allow me to stick a plastic straw in to gently stop the fan to see if that stops the noise.

However, unless there is just some airflow blocker/diverter piece of plastic sheeting flapping around, that you can nudge into a different position without having to open the PSU, otherwise I would just return it to place of purchase for a refund or if too much time has elapsed since purchase, then get it replaced under warranty.

If for some reason you aren't eligible for warranty replacement, then I'd open it up, and power the system while hoping to replicate the noise and find the source. Do not electrocute yourself, sometimes the heatsink(s) are live with high voltage. If you are uncomfortable doing that, then don't.

Thank you for your advice! I just bought the PSU so I can RMA it, but if I can avoid that hazzle, I will. Last couple of days the sound has only appeared in very specific conditions, when the PC goes from high to low load. So my best guess as of now, before doing what you suggest, is that there is a "sweet spot" when the PSU fan ramps down and produce this sound just before it stops or rotate very slowly. So my money is on the ball bearing, or that somehow there is contact between the fan blades and someting else when the fan passes through a certain RPM-value. If it is something like that, I'm willing to live with it if it means not having to RMA it.

 

[VirtualLarry]

sounds like a quitely failing SATA HDD to me.