Gigabyte 970 - 80-99% Usage Slight Coil Whine

KoleTang · Sep 29, 2014

This is present when overclocked and stock when it gets to around 85-99% GPU usage. How bad is it? Is it safe to run like this?

Recording right next to GPU. https://soundcloud.com/lllghostwriterlll/gpu-noise

Jdogz427 · Sep 30, 2014

hmm, i do hear that. there might be some friction in there where it shouldnt be, or it might be a design defect, I would try to contact the company and show them this sound clip to see if they can send a replacement. on the other hand if you can stand it, and you dont use full or near full load, and you use decent headphones you might not even notice it. i have a decent number of fans, but i do not really hear it, bc i have pretty good sound isolating headphones.

Guinibee · Oct 1, 2014

My MSI makes this exact noise during Firestrike test but not during games. Low ticking kind of noise... I don't think it's an actual coil whine... But interesting that you have the sound... I haven't decided yet if I should return them for another set of msi cards, keep them, get the evga ftw when it comes out or get gigabyte

Guinibee · Oct 1, 2014

have you figured out what that sound is? mine happens on the Firestrike test only...but I am wondering what it means...

Guinibee · Oct 1, 2014

here is a clip of my video cards noise...sounds similar to yours

https://soundcloud.com/matthew-ferrusi/gpu-msi-gtx-970-sli-sound

M4DCRUSH3R · Oct 9, 2014

This is completely normal under high loads like that. I have an issue with my card even after an RMA and a new PSU so I think it could be my Motherboard

A WIERD H0B0 · Oct 15, 2014

mine has the exact same sound https://soundcloud.com/awierdh0b0/970-g1-fan-sound i returned it and am getting a new one soon many people are having this issue i suggest you do the same, probably a bad batch.

Guinibee · Oct 15, 2014

A WIERD H0B0 :

I have tried 6 different cards...four msi and 2 gigabyte...all with the same noise...and at different times...it can't be one bad batch I think it's normal with the GTX 970s. I actually two more gigabytes I'm going to try out this weekend...if they do it I'm done as that number 7 and 8...that'll be plenty of testing.

My cousin gave me his new psu to test that...that's what I'll do after the final two cards...

M4DCRUSH3R · Oct 16, 2014

This is normal because of the very high framerate in the test. Almost every card does this in firestrike.

Guinibee · Oct 16, 2014

Yeah but I noticed it does it in a couple games as well... Not as loud as Firestrike though

M4DCRUSH3R · Oct 17, 2014

Have you tried V SYNC? Just making sure. If so then it is most likely a 770 problem.

Guinibee · Oct 17, 2014

I have the rog swift... I'll never use vsync again lol... But I have tested it with gsync and it still happens.

M4DCRUSH3R · Oct 17, 2014

well it must be the 970s

Guinibee · Oct 17, 2014

It def is a ton of people have this... I've gotten quite used to it though... I never really hear it anyway

M4DCRUSH3R · Oct 17, 2014

Is this happening with the 980s? I want to buy one but don't want coil whine lol.

Guinibee · Oct 17, 2014

M4DCRUSH3R :

Oh no idea...the bang for buck is much better for the 970s though that's why I got that one. I got 2 of them for only a little more than the price of one 980.

M4DCRUSH3R · Oct 17, 2014

I will do some further research. I have a problem where I cannot settle for getting two of lets say 970s over one 980 and getting another later lol. This kind of further makes me want to buy a 980. Also try getting a rma on it just to see if it helps or even a refund if possible.

Guinibee · Oct 18, 2014

M4DCRUSH3R :

Nah I've tried 8 cards now, 4 MSI and 4 Gigabyte...I'm quite sure this is supposed to happen lol. Between 8 attempts and all the other people with the same situation I'm quite sure this is normal. I don't want to be without the cards for however long needed for them to send me more cards that likely will buzz considering that seems to just be part of the design.

A WIERD H0B0 · Oct 20, 2014

right now on ncix gigbyte gtx 780ti OC is 300 bucks off, so tempting over 970 g1 and coil whine idk which to choose.

M4DCRUSH3R · Oct 20, 2014

but does the 980 coil whine? Do you guy know from experience btw it is probably normal.

M4DCRUSH3R · Oct 20, 2014

It may also be another part

jeffredo · Oct 20, 2014

M4DCRUSH3R :

Get a paper towel tube and use it to pinpoint where its coming from. I thought a video card was whining/squealing once and it turned out to be the power supply (once I held the tube to my ear and against all the other components).

space6011 · Oct 20, 2014

So that's what coil whine sounds like? I seem to be getting that as well when playing games.

So far I've been able to drown it out with my speakers, but when there's no sound it's noticeable.

Is there any reason besides the sound that would make me want to return it?

M4DCRUSH3R · Oct 20, 2014

Just being very annoying. Nothing else but hardcore gamers HATE IT! I have a graphics card that does this but changing it didn't help so I am basically rebuilding the system from the bottom up.

Guinibee · Oct 20, 2014

jeffredo :

I actually have come to believe my PSU might suck...the Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold has a lot of "ripple"...I decided to buy an EVGA 1000 P2 as the reviews are phenomenal and has a lot of the ripple suppressed....lets see if that helps.

For all I know my PSU might be creating the entire issue....

Gigabyte 970 - 80-99% Usage Slight Coil Whine

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