Intermitting Humming/Buzzing Sound - Brand New PC

robcho83

Honorable
Aug 6, 2013
3
0
10,510
I just built a gaming system, and as of day 3 of using it (days 1-2 there were no issues while using) there is a low-pitch, intermittent humming/buzzing sound coming from the area of the heatsink/cpu. I can't localize it any further. It is on and off, maybe about 3-4 seconds on, then off, and so on. It starts up usually about 30-45 seconds after booting up (although sometimes I do notice a faint quick buzz right at start up, maybe a change in tone - this leads me to believe there is something interfering with the fan?). I am running open case at the moment.

Here are my specs:

Mobo: ASUS Z87-Deluxe
CPU: i5-4670k Haswell
Cooler: Phanteks PH-TC14PE
Video Card: GeForce GTX 780
HDD: Samsung 840 Series 500 GB SSD
RAM: Corsair Vengeance LP 16 GB (2x 8 GB)
Power Supply: Seasonic SS-1250XM (1250w)
Case:


I linked my case also because I don't know if this is a case issue - it is a pretty complex case with all I/O ports / power supply coming out the top (the PSU air intake is from the back, blowing out the top).

Here are the only 2 differences I can think of between day 2 (no issues) and day 3 (intermittent buzzing): On day 2, I plugged in the speakers for the first time while the computer was running - so day 3 was first startup with speakers already plugged in. Also on day 3, CPU core temps were on average 5-6 degrees lower at low load (averaging 23-27 celsius), whereas on day 2 they were about 28-33 celsius - I assume this is due to the thermal paste taking approximately 10-15 hours of cpu running time to work properly.

I have checked the fans - there is nothing interfering with the CPU or GPU fans. I have also checked for interfering cables, etc. - nothing is inside the fans (there are a couple nearby but nothing in the way or interfering). They are of course also very clean (brand new).

I would greatly greatly appreciate any help/guidance on this - I have put a lot of time, money, and effort into this and am really frustrated with this one problem. I'd also like some thoughts on whether this is putting my PC at risk, or this is just more of a nuisance that I shouldn't be too worried about.

Thanks everyone.
 
Solution
Hello... very Good testing... I would say from your tests that your CPU fan needs a drop of oil... there are two types of bearings used... sleave and ball bearing... sleave is steel on brass, easy to oil... ball bearing will take a little more effort to get some oil into it. Re-move the CPU Fan... Locate the best position to apply oil to the bearing... Rotate the fan to get the oil to penatrate... Clean excess oil from fan when you are done... Re-test.

robcho83

Honorable
Aug 6, 2013
3
0
10,510


I did do that - that's how I was able to localize to heatsink/cpu area. Here are some updates:

Ok so - I checked the heatsink it is very secure.

The fans are both moving smoothly / not wobbling and have no noticeable chips and cuts.

I am now basically 100% sure it is coming from the fans. Here is the test I ran:

So on my heatsink I have 2 fans which go into a Y-splitter which plugs into the mobo. I unplugged the first fan from the Y-splitter and booted up - ran into "CPU fan error" at startup and was asked if I wanted to go into BIOS - basically Windows did not start up. But, there was no humming sound! I left it on for 3-4 minutes before shutting down from that error screen.

I then disconnected the other fan from the Y-splitter (while reconnecting the other one). This time, the system did boot into Windows (I guess this fan's connection takes priority and passes the mobo tests for cpu fan connection.) I left it on for 5-6 minutes, and once again, no humming sound!

I think reconnected both fans...and the buzzing is back. So it has to be some interaction of the 2 fans that is causing a vibration/humming sound?

Any guidance?
 
Hello... very Good testing... I would say from your tests that your CPU fan needs a drop of oil... there are two types of bearings used... sleave and ball bearing... sleave is steel on brass, easy to oil... ball bearing will take a little more effort to get some oil into it. Re-move the CPU Fan... Locate the best position to apply oil to the bearing... Rotate the fan to get the oil to penatrate... Clean excess oil from fan when you are done... Re-test.
 
Solution

TRENDING THREADS