Why does my 9800XT Whistle?

TheRyuu

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2005
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Just wondering, whenever my 9800XT is doing 3d stuff (like when I play games), it seems to Whistle. Is this normal? or weird?
 

destrekor

Lifer
Nov 18, 2005
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whistle?
hmm
could you take your case off and lean in close to the card. Does it sound like its coming from the fan, or from the board itself? Capacitors have been known to make a high-pitch whine noise before.
 

TheRyuu

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2005
5,479
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It's not the fan, I replaced the stock fan with an ATI silencer, it whistled before, and it still does it.
Not really sure if your would call it whistleing, but it kind of sounds like it.
 

TheRyuu

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2005
5,479
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Yup, only happens when I use 3d apps, or any graphic instens program (sometims does it, sometimes not). It'll do it especally when I use ATITools artifact scanner.
 

Gstanfor

Banned
Oct 19, 1999
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Check the cards capacitors, they can emit a whistling noise if they are faulty or leaking. Look for domed tops, bulges in the walls or leaks near the top or or the pcb.
 

TheRyuu

Diamond Member
Dec 3, 2005
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So is this bad? It plays games and stuff fine. Should I have done something sooner? It's been doing this a year now, I just ignored it.
 

Gstanfor

Banned
Oct 19, 1999
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It can potentially be quite serious. The large capacitors on the board are part of the voltage regulation circuitry and help prevent the other components from being damaged by over voltage.

If you can see any damage and you have warranty left, I'd definitely have the board serviced, or else you risk the board dying early than it needs to.