Windows Experience Index + coil whine

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Keyes

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Aug 22, 2013
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Hi, this is a quick question. When I run the Windows Experience Index Reassessment, is the theme supposed to switch to Windows Basic while it is running? when I run it just switches to the basic theme and after its done it comes back. Is that normally supposed to happen?

also, I just noticed after taking my headphones off, when I run it there is a moderate coil whine from my PSU. is that normal too?
 
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Aug 22, 2013
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Is it really that bad? it operates normal and fine and has been for the last 6 months. I only get coil whine if I'm under alot of load or have Vsync off. Is it not normal that the re assessment is stressing the machine to get the points or whatever?

 
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ko888

ko888

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Feb 18, 2009
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Use an empty cardboard tube from a paper towel roll or aluminum foil wrap or plastic wrap. When you run the reassessment place one end of the tube against your ear and move the other end at the PSU or graphics card to determine which device the loudest whine is coming from.
 
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Aug 22, 2013
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I will do that with the tube. If it is the PSU, is it a bad thing?

my PC performs and turns on fine. It is a Corsair 750W bronze cpu.
 
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ko888

ko888

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Coil whine is a mechanical defect with a component usually due to poor manufacturing quality. It doesn't affect electrical performance but it's a nuisance that shouldn't be happening and don't let anyone convince you otherwise.

It's considered a manufacturing defect and it's covered under warranty.
 
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K

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Aug 22, 2013
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Well I opened the side panel to try and use my mic to pick up where it was coming from and I had a more constant sound from it being near the GPU. When I put it near my PSU it wasn't picking anything up since my mic needs something to resemble a voice for it to record, and it was picking up my fans. However it picked up nothing by the PSU but only split second high whine. I tried the paper towel cylinder but I couldn't distinguish it.

I don't mind the whining as its not insanely loud and only seems to happen in an intense load without vsync, and seems to happen only in the first half of the assessment where it seems GPU related things are being tested.

Has it any possible chance to damage my system? Thats all I'd to know, whether if PSU whining can cause damage and if it is normal or not.

 
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ko888

ko888

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Graphics card manufacturers usually won't accept coil whine as a reason to give out an RMA.

Certain combinations of PSUs and graphics cards will produce different amounts of coil whine. The loudness and pitch of the whine will vary with graphics processing load.

As I've said above, it's usually due to poor quality components and maybe even poor power VRM circuit design in the case of graphics cards. Coil whine doesn't damage anything, but it's just annoying.
 
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jb6684

jb6684

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You don't post any details on your system, but, Many have on-board video.... (new Intel CPU, and older AMD boards...) If you post detail, or know you have on-board video, just remove your GPU from the system and run off on-board. No whine, then it was the GPU card.....

Post some details on the GPU you do have, perhaps we can find out if its a feature of the GPU... (some brands use cheap parts and so most of their cards Always whine...)

I'd be Very surprised if the Corsair PSU had a problem, and, if it does it's likely still under warranty and Corsair will replace for you....
 
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Aug 22, 2013
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GTX 660 2GB. it is a prebuilt PC (but uses fully custom parts) the GPU is by kfa2. Here is a link, its the OC edition
http://www.kfa2.com/GTX_660EXOC.shtml

I'm not sure of the reputation of this company. Yes, Corsair is a very high quality company, and I have reason to believe it is the GPU as the whine starts when I have over 100 frames, but not just under extreme load.
 
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ko888

ko888

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From KFA2's own press release about the KFA2 GeForce® GTX 660 EX OC 2GB edition:

The KFA2 GeForce® GTX 660 EX OC 2GB edition, similar foundation of the previous Ti version, fitted with a newly designed custom PCB, including an improved layout for more efficient signal path, high quality shielded inductors to maintain cleaner signal and eliminate coil whine, and thru-board ventilation to help keep power regulating components cool. The cooler consists of a dual fan system which has been optimized to keep fan noise to an absolute minimum at high speeds. Beneath the fans, a high surface area aluminum heat sink with triple heat pipes maintains very cool GPU temps even under extended run times with heavy workload.

http://www.kfa2.com/press_660_650.shtml

If your card is suffering from coil whine then the quality of their shielded inductors (i.e. coils) isn't as high as they claim.
 
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K

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Aug 22, 2013
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Well, I keep most of my games on VSync anyway, so I'd just like to know that it can't cause damage or is it a sign of damage? for it to be audible, I have had to run Oblivion for example at 500+Fps. I can get it to an annoying level if I have it run a 2000fps on the menus. My headphones do a good job at cancelling it too.

 
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K

Keyes

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The PC as a whole is under 5 years warranty (Custom Parts, not generic parts but prebuilt) would I have access to individual part warranties? I'd rather not want to send the whole PC back for a minor problem if its only noise.


 
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jb6684

jb6684

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We'll you'd have to contact them to find out how they want to handle it....

I've dealt with Dell Computer in the past with warranty repairs. They simply helped diagnose the issue over-the-phone. Then, they sent me a new motherboard for the repair.
 
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