PSU Making a high pitched 'Squeal'

grady

Honorable
Apr 1, 2013
99
0
10,640
The title says it all really, I am almost certain it is not the fan. It most definitely sounds electronic in nature and only occurs at certain times, mostly when I have just started the computer up and it is running idle. Once I open a game or a significant number of browser tabs, it's gone.

The PSU in question is a Corsair TX-650 and is only about a year and a half old!
What I mostly want to know is how 'urgent' this problem is, per say, can I wait till Christmas 2015 when I plan to dig in for an SSD to replace it? Or should I be more concerned. I haven't noticed any problems in performance, and it is a fairly new power supply.

Any responses are appreciated
 
Solution
Hi
If its not the fan then it would be coil whine,this tends to occur when a particular current flows through the coil causing it to resonate and whine.
It normally occurs under higher loading but it can happen at low loading and disappear at higher loading as in your case.
It is not a symptom of any problem and will not cause the demise of your PSU it is just annoying.

jaraldo

Honorable
I would only be worried if the noise is happening when you are gaming, since it's the opposite you should be ok. As long as no reboots are happening just keep going normal.

I've heard of people adding oil to their fans but without knowing the problem I won't recommend anything :p
 

makkem

Distinguished
Hi
If its not the fan then it would be coil whine,this tends to occur when a particular current flows through the coil causing it to resonate and whine.
It normally occurs under higher loading but it can happen at low loading and disappear at higher loading as in your case.
It is not a symptom of any problem and will not cause the demise of your PSU it is just annoying.
 
Solution