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Coil Whine - Changed GPU, CPU, PSU, and Motherboard

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  • GPUs
  • Components
  • CPUs
  • Motherboards
Last response: in Components
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October 12, 2014 10:03:56 PM

This is an issue for me beginning with my first build 2 years ago. Please bare with me on this very long post I'm all out of ideas. The components that I haven't changed in the past two years are:

Intel I5 3570K
Asus P8Z77v-LX
Kingston Hyper X 8GBX2
Corsair 400R Case

I never experienced coil whine until after adding a GPU. I initially had a Thermaltake TR2-600W PSU. I added an AMD card that wad around $200 at the time (two years ago). It had coil whine, so I exchanged it for a different brand/model. I believe this happen with 2-3 cards(it was a while ago, so I don't remember the exact models). I eventually got an EVGA GTX 660 that didn't seem to make much coil whine noise. After a few months, the coil whine seemed to get louder. I eventually replaced my PSU with a Ultra 600W. It worked for a few months then my build started producing coil whine. I did two warranty exchanges before getting one that was silent (Ultra X4 750W), although going into very high FPS (maybe 80 and above) would get a slight coil whine and got louder as FPS increased.

I've played with Vsync most of the time and would notice the coil whine every now and then. I decided to upgrade to a GTX 970 recently. I bought the Gigabyte version, which review said didn't have much coil whine, if any at all. After my first game, I noticed coil whine and took my PSU out to try and isolate the noise. I noticed both the GPU and PSU were making noise. I replaced the PSU with an EVGA 850w B2. The coil whine disappeared in the PSU, but was still present in the GPU, though not as loud. I returned the Gigabyte GPU, waiting for other models to come in stock.

I went to Fry's to buy a 4K monitor and they ended up having GTX 970s in stock (04G-P4-2974-KR). I saw reviews with other EVGA models with coil whine, but this one seemed fine for the most part. I got home and set up my new monitor and video card. Still, the GPU produced coil whine. After two years and a few PSUs and GPUs, I figured it has to be the motherboard. I upgraded my motherboard and CPU to an Asus Z97-AR and Intel 4690K. I installed everything earlier and I still get coil whine on the GTX 970 and my old GTX 660. With both GTX 970 cards, the coil whine happens no matter what the FPS is.

I'm extremely frustrated at this point and don't know what to do. It's possible the new motherboard and/or the new GPU is the issue, but I really don't want to put any more money into this nor do I want to go back to Fry's and return over $1000 worth of stuff and go back to my old build.

I really need help on trying to troubleshoot what this might be. I've tried changing multiple CPU power saving options in the bios on the old and new CPU/motherboards. I've tried different PCIE slots, different voltages, and probably a few other things. Nothing seems to be working to get rid of the coil whine noise. It isn't subtle either. It's LOUD.

If anybody has any recommendations or solutions, please let me know. Thanks.

More about : coil whine changed gpu cpu psu motherboard

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October 12, 2014 10:21:29 PM

God holy jesus, I had to take a break while reading your post.
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October 12, 2014 10:22:42 PM

Shamar Holtz said:
God holy jesus, I had to take a break while reading your post.


Haha. Yeah, this post has been a long time in the making.
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October 12, 2014 10:26:27 PM

Well I've read your post and I have realized you have an unstoppable amount of money to just blow on pc components that i wish I had :D , jk.

How is your cable management and do you have good airflow in your case?
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October 12, 2014 10:36:36 PM

Shamar Holtz said:
Well I've read your post and I have realized you have an unstoppable amount of money to just blow on pc components that i wish I had :D , jk.

How is your cable management and do you have good airflow in your case?


I think my cable management is good. All the clutter is on the back side of the case, not where any of the components are. I have 2 120mm intake fans in the front and an exhaust fan in the back. My CPU (at least on the 3570K) was usually around 38c and GPU was in the 60s (on the GTX 660).

And about the money, I've been working full time for 8 years and really never spent much. I've finally found a hobby worth spending money on :D 



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October 12, 2014 10:46:01 PM

Markkk said:
lol I almost pissed myself when I watched this expiation...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUhwFpPKnXI


It doesn't matter where my FPS are at with the GTX 970, it always make the noise, whether I'm in the menu or game. Plus, I'm not getting any crazy FPS, while in game, with a GTX 970 at a 4K resolution. Even when turning newer games to medium, I still get around 45 FPS.

Part of me thinks coil whine is somewhat normal, like the video is suggesting, but a majority of people who give reviews on GPUs either don't mention coil whine or explicitly state that there is not coil whine.

The Gigabyte GTX 970 I had originally wasn't as bad as this EVGA is either. I'm starting to wish I had just kept the Gigabyte. I want to exchange my GPU and try another one, but this is really getting out of hand IMO.
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October 12, 2014 11:04:17 PM

Yeah that Kinda Sucks...

I would say do a power isolation test . IE plug your computer into a separate circuit
Turn off all other equipment at the premises to reduce transferred electrical noise

But I don't think that will help much
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October 12, 2014 11:08:02 PM

When I first did my build, I was in Illinois and I've moved to California 9 months ago. And since moving, my PC has been in multiple rooms and I've tried multiple power strips. Thanks for the help though.
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October 12, 2014 11:21:14 PM

In-case your computer in concrete

Pros
Will dampen all noise considerably
Will make it impossible to steal
Will add a Wow Factor

Cons
May cause considerable overheating
Impossibly to move or upgrade

Make sure all cables are plugged in first

No seriously don't do that it was a joke.
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a b à CPUs
October 13, 2014 8:07:10 AM

Since you have continuously switched your components and still get the noise, ii can't possibly be the parts. It has to be something you are doing with/on the computer. A i can think to do is to take all your parts out and set them up outside of your case and see if you still get the same noise.

Also, do you know what you gpu usage is?
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October 13, 2014 8:44:10 AM

Shamar Holtz said:
Since you have continuously switched your components and still get the noise, ii can't possibly be the parts. It has to be something you are doing with/on the computer. A i can think to do is to take all your parts out and set them up outside of your case and see if you still get the same noise.

Also, do you know what you gpu usage is?


I've taken out the PSU before. That's when I realized that my previous PSU was making noise as well as the GPU. Replacing the PSU solver the PSU noise, but not the GPU. I've also taken out the GPU and ran multiple games pushing for either high FPS or high quality to try and stress the integrated graphics. I never got coil whine once. Is it possibly it can be some kind of ground issue? Like something to do with the standoffs in the case causing interference?

As far as something I'm doing, I used the Asus auto tuning to overclock my old CPU. I've also tried running at stock settings to see if that helped the noise. It didn't. Disabling Intel speedstep and other various power saving settings hasn't helped on either CPU/motherboard combo.

I've never OC'd my GPU, so those have always been at factory settings.
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October 13, 2014 8:56:59 AM

I usually get coil whine from my current PSU with my GTX 770 overclocked at 1389 (originally it had 1150 (Boost Clock: 1202) <-- this stock clock don't create those Coil Whine though). It happens almost every time my games/benchmarks hit 200+ fps only with the 1389 OC.
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October 13, 2014 8:59:18 AM

tetsuya23 said:
I usually get coil whine from my current PSU with my GTX 770 overclocked at 1389 (originally it had 1150 (Boost Clock: 1202) <-- this stock clock don't create those Coil Whine though). It happens almost every time my games/benchmarks hit 200+ fps only with the 1389 OC.


It's happening without OC and at any FPS.

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October 13, 2014 9:08:04 AM

ShertheLove said:
tetsuya23 said:
I usually get coil whine from my current PSU with my GTX 770 overclocked at 1389 (originally it had 1150 (Boost Clock: 1202) <-- this stock clock don't create those Coil Whine though). It happens almost every time my games/benchmarks hit 200+ fps only with the 1389 OC.


It's happening without OC and at any FPS.



Can you list the full component spec for your new build that you are using and causing the coil whine?
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October 13, 2014 11:48:48 AM

Intel I5 3690K
Asus Z97-AR motherboard
EVGA GTX 970 04G-P4-2974-KR
Kingston Hyper X blue 8GBx2
EVGA 850W B2 PSU
Samsung Evo 250GB SSD
Seagate 3TB HDD

The EVGA 970 is going back tomorrow. That card's coil whine is much worse than my old 660 and happens even at low FPS. EVGA seems to be notorious for coil whine on the new 970s. Luckily, Newegg had the MSI 970 in stock earlier. Should be here tomorrow.

I set my motherboard up outside my case and it didn't make a difference, so I don't think the case is interfering with anything. I initially used my old PSU so I wouldn't have to pull all my cables out. Wow, that thing was terrible with coil whine. I ended up pulling the cables out of my case and using the new one. Whisper quiet....

If the new MSI card has coil whine similar to my 660, I won't really mind it. If it's just as bad as the EVGA, I'm not sure what my next step is. Trying a different motherboard besides Asus might be it. I had Asus on my old build as well.
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October 13, 2014 12:28:27 PM

I don't think the MSi will have any, I haven't seen anyone doing a video about its coil whine at the moment. EVGA definitely is plagued with a couple of problems with their GPU's right now. I did see someone complaining about coil whine with EVGA cards and Gigabyte Cards. I have 2 gigabyte one's by I have yet to install it. Will be able to set it all up once my new case arrives. And see if it will coil whine with and without OC.
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October 14, 2014 10:58:12 PM

I've added the new MSI card. Still has coil whine at just about any FPS, but it's not as bad as the EVGA. This is at least somewhat tolerable. I even exchanged my Asus motherboard for an MSI Gaming 7. I don't think that made any difference.

At least I'm finally content and I can now just enjoy gaming at 4K :pt1cable: 

Thanks for the help
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October 14, 2014 11:06:32 PM

How about a Sound Proof Case?
There are sound insulated cases around they do cost more but this should not be an issue for you
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