XFX 7870 Occasional Squealing Noise

kmcd758

Junior Member
Jun 21, 2013
2
0
0
Hello!

Before I get started explaining the issue let me first detail out the specs of my machine:

Motherboard: Gigabyte Intel GA-Z77-DS3H
Processor: Intel Core i5 3350P
PSU: Rosewill CAPSTONE 550W ATX12V/EPS12V Modular
RAM: 8GB Corsair DDR3 1600 PC12800
Video Card: XFX 7870 2GB Double D
OS: Windows 8 64-bit

Built the machine in early April, and went through some trouble with the first 2 graphics cards from XFX. The 3rd card I received appeared to performance very nicely in games (framerates-wise) but I noticed in Far Cry 3 it was making a slight buzzing noise. Some games the computer seems to function without a hitch (League of Legends, Borderlands 2, Diablo 3, Starcraft 2). But, upon loading up The Sims 3 there was a high pitched squealing noise coming from my machine. I tested my older EVGA GTS 450 in my PC and had no noise running any applications so assumed it was the video card again and did another RMA.

Well, I received a brand new 7870 today from XFX and as before the computer is making the same high pitched squealing while playing The Sims 3. It runs near-silently during many other games (including Battlefield 3) and seems to run without a hitch. As far as I can ascertain the sound is coming from the video card.

I am wondering now if it might be my PSU because the likelihood of 4 bad cards from XFX is really just near statistically impossible. As I said before when I plug in my older GTS 450 (that granted, I am certain draws much less power than the 7870) I get no noise from the computer at all. The 7870 requires 2 6-pin power connectors that I have coming from a single 8-pin port on my PSU.

I have two questions I am hoping someone can help me with:

1) Does the high-pitched noise ( which I have been told is electrical interference or coil whine of some kind) harmful to my components?
2) Any advice on how to possibly get rid of these issues?

Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Kevin
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
The noise is probably caused by a squealing cap/choke/coil.

It could either be the video card or your PSU.

The good news is that in either case, it's not a cause for alarm. I have a 1200W 80+Gold PSU and a pair of Radeon 7900 cards, and I occasionally get a squealing noise during gaming or benchmarking. It's usually drowned out by fan noise when I'm gaming anyways.

You might be able to reduce/eliminate the noise IF you can isolate the source to a specific PCB component. Open the side of your case and have a listen.
 

Dankk

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2008
5,558
25
91
That noise is a pretty common thing in video cards and power supplies. As mentioned above, it's no cause for alarm.

RMAing the card won't do you much good. Most manufacturers don't even see coil whine as an issue; they'll either send your card right back, or you'll get a replacement card with an identical noise.

My only advice is that next time you buy a video card, get a card with higher quality components from a better brand. XFX isn't exactly known for quality these days.
 

Durvelle27

Diamond Member
Jun 3, 2012
4,102
0
0
Not nothing to be alarmed about but seems odd as i have a HD 7870 DD and i don't have any coil whining
 

blackened23

Diamond Member
Jul 26, 2011
8,548
2
0
Coil whine. I'd recommend returning the card for refund, i've had a couple of cards with that same issue - and when you're trying to make your PC silent, and then suddenly hear that nonsense while gaming.....

Well, it's certainly a deal breaker. That being said, it's not harmful...but it is EXTREMELY annoying. So much so that I would not tolerate it; Return for refund if you can. The RMA process is way too much of a hassle and chances are, your RMA replacement will have the EXACT same problem. Don't put yourself in that situation - if you bought it from newegg or amazon return it for a different brand. Just my .02

Also: you may find that the problem only occurs when your framerate is excessively high, such as at a menu screen or something along those lines. In those cases, vsync may help alleviate it but if it were me.... I would certainly return the card in a heartbeat for a refund. If that isnt' an option, scream at XFX support until they give you a card that doesn't have such an issue. (least preferable option, involves you paying for shipping. IE, F that.)
 
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kmcd758

Junior Member
Jun 21, 2013
2
0
0
Thanks all for the replies.. This is actually (believe it or not) my 4th card from XFX (first two were defective) ... The last one had coil whine that was so loud I couldn't just ignore it while gaming. This one has been not as bad.

Had always run with EVGA cards in the past and I am pretty much kicking myself for not doing so again :p But that is my own fault. For now I am just trying to ignore the buzzing/squealing when it happens because I have no desire to start another RMA process with XFX.
 

Eureka

Diamond Member
Sep 6, 2005
3,822
1
81
Could also be just fan vibration. My DDBE sounds like it wants to take off when the fan is above 70%
 

Yuriman

Diamond Member
Jun 25, 2004
5,530
141
106
I've read that if you can find the specific component that's whining, a dab of glue will often quiet it down.