Power Supply Constant ticking noise

lloyd_mh

Honorable
Jul 6, 2013
7
0
10,510
I seriously need help.

Here's my current build as of writing this message.

MSI Z87 G45 Motherboard, Corsair Vengeance Pro 8GB 1600Mhz Ram, Intel Core i7-4770k, Corsair Hydro H80i, Asus Geforce 770, Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD, 2x Seagate Barracuda 2TB HDD's, Fractal Define R4 Case, White and Black NZXT Sleeved LED kits, ASUS 24x DVD Writer.

Finally the Culprit, my "Corsair HX850 Gold Plus Power Supply"

I built a new haswell system two months ago and it's been nothing but problems.

The first time I got a HX850 Gold plus, the psu started making this faint electronic *click, tick or squeak* not sure what to call it, it did so every 20 seconds.

I returned it and exchanged it for a totally different HX850, the same problem started, power supply ticking so I returned that and this time got a TX850 V2.

That didn't help as this one had the same problem.

So I returned all my components and paid over $100 in restocking fees.

A week later I built an entirely new system.

This system had a brand new HX850 and it still made the noise so I changed it for the older HX850 silver and that one made the noise as well.

Finally for the last time I got a brand new HX850 Gold, same model as the first one and decided I was tired of returning.

Now it's a month later and past my return or exchange period to the store and Corsair technicians aren't answering my questions and this noise occurs every 1 or 2 seconds, it's constant, never stops. I'm afraid something might blow someday.

I don't know what to do, my computer runs perfectly, everyday operations work fine, cpu, ram , gpu benchmarks and gaming are perfect (at least for now).

Not a problem in sight, except for the frikkin noise.

Please somebody tell me what could possibly be the problem or causing this and how I can stop this and please don't tell me to RMA because I've changed power supplies SIX times now from the store before I ran out of my Return period.

Just tell me what to do.

I'm looking forward to some responses.

Thanks.
 
Solution
I appreciate the fact that you're afraid something will "blow" however that may be the only way to diagnose this. After everything you've done I would try my best to live with it and see what develops.
Hi, it sounds like you are having bad luck on these power supplies for sure. The fact that the tick was originally 20 seconds apart is kind of confusing. It could be coil whine from power fluctuation / dynamic load from the system.

1. When it happens, is it a single tick/noise or is it a series of them?
2. Are you using the same power strip and outlet in each instance of this noise? If you try a different outlet in another room or better yet another location altogether, does the noise persist?

Wondering if you somehow have power that has a lot of noise in it. Would you perhaps have access to a UPS backup? Those generally are very good at filtering power noise and giving you the most consistent voltage levels.

Could you check the fan quickly with a small section of insulated wire or a toothpick etc? Something non-conductive is safest. I am wondering if it is an off-balance fan in the more recent PSU that it occurs in 1-2 second intervals.

It's really strange that it's happening on different PSU's across multiple builds. I've got a bunch of HX850s in workstations and not a hint of noise and to have it happen so consistently to you is bizarre. Maybe a bad batch from the manufacturer?
 

ram1009

Distinguished
I appreciate the fact that you're afraid something will "blow" however that may be the only way to diagnose this. After everything you've done I would try my best to live with it and see what develops.
 
Solution

lloyd_mh

Honorable
Jul 6, 2013
7
0
10,510



I sold my old build whole and now I'm using the two new Default Define R4 fans for intake and I bought a pair of Corsair SP120 High performance fans for my radiator's CPU cooling and another AF140 for my exhaust so no old fans here.

But regardless, It's absolutely not a fan, It's the power supply, I'm 1000000% sure it is.

I've put my ear to it, the sound comes directly from the back of the psu's exhaust area, I've even isolated the PSU out of the build and put my ear to it outside, its definitely the PSU.

I just hope I can find a solution soon.

Thanks for the quick response.
 

lloyd_mh

Honorable
Jul 6, 2013
7
0
10,510




To answer your questions orderly.

1. It's a series of tick noises, going over and over again.
2. I've tried a different socket in my room and also downstairs in the living room and the noise still continues.

3. I don't have access to a UPS but I do have it connected to a good $40 surge protector, not sure how much that would help but at least I make sure my devices are safe from any current spikes.

4. It's definitely not the fan, the HX850's fan is silent and doesn't turn on until it has some decent load on it, I have to Overclock my CPU, GPU and run prime95 and Furmark for the fan on the PSU to even turn on. I was basically staring at the PSU fan not moving at all and the same noise was going on and on in the back, when the fan finally turns on, the sound gets just a little faint but still happening and audible.

5. Yeah, it is pretty strange to get this from multiple PSU's. I got them from the same retailer here in Canada but I tried like 3 different branches, I don't think that large of a batch could be affected.

Like I said before, at the moment, everything works just fine, no problems at all with the computer except for the sound.

One more thing though.

I dont know anything about electrical wiring etc but It could be my house's electrical system. A while ago I got another fridge and put it in my room, I had my old build then and it had no effect on it other than the light dimming whenever the fridges compressor kicked in.

But when I got my new build it had this strange effect that sometimes when the fridge compressor kicked in, my room lights would dim and then weirdly I would hear the windows USB disconnect sound and my keyboard for my computer would disconnect and connect again in like 5 seconds.

I got rid of that fridge and everything seemed to be fine. No more peripheral disconnects but the PSU makes that strange sound even after changing returning the first build and changing PSU's multiple times.

Is there any possibility that my House's Electrical wiring is damaged, all the fridges, microwaves, dryers, irons etc work just fine but do you think that something happened during that period that would specifically ruin the chances of a computer's power supply working well?

I hope I can find a solution to this.

Thanks for your quick reply as well.




 

lloyd_mh

Honorable
Jul 6, 2013
7
0
10,510



Thanks for your quick response.

Yeah, the sound is getting a little more annoying and everything else is perfect. During Gaming I could care less, i can't hear it at all but when II'm browsing the web, doing light tasks or studying (I'm in University at the moment) and I need that utter silence, I can hear it squeaking from my desk, I guess you may be right, the only way to diagnose it would be to just live with it to see if something bad happens, I just hope it never gets to that.
 

oczdude8

Distinguished
if you want to see if its your house wiring or some other interference, it would be good if you could try a UPS. it wouldn't hurt to buy one and test it out, then return it (if possible).

UPS will provide really clean power to your psu.
 

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