PSU making strange noise

unknown_13 · Oct 19, 2014

HI everyone,

My PSU which is a Cooler Master V450S started making strange noise a week ago, something like a "tzk" for a moment. It can make it several times in 2-3 minutes or once every hour. It doesn't matter if the PC is under load or at idle, it makes that sound even when the PC is turned off, so it's not the fan.
I tried everything, i rebuild the PC again thinking that i've connected something wrong, i switched the power cable, i plugged the PC in the wall socket instead of the power strip, still nothing.
Currently i'm busy with college so i can't return it to the shop where it was bought immediately, (and there's no direct RMA in my country) it'll take 2-3 weeks, so is it dangerous if i let my PC run like this for the time being? The PC is completely stable otherwise, voltages are fine (i can't check on the ripple though) and it's running almost 24/7 the last couple of days.

smorizio · Oct 19, 2014

sounds like a failing part in the unit. email the vendor see if they do a cross ship for you. they send a replacement unit to you while you still use the old unit.

i7Baby · Oct 19, 2014

The V series are supposed to be good quality PSUs. But no PSU should be making a noise. You should RMA it. If not, replace it with a Seasonic 520.

Abmario · Oct 19, 2014

If you are sure sound is not coming from the psu fan, try to find out where/what sound it's coming:

1. Hearing a buzz or like electrical arc sound then it’s more likely capacitor caused by vibration on frequencies. PSU has caps, board and gpu card.
2. If there's clicking sound it could also be the fan, the fan either out of balance or a bad bearing.. again gpu, cup, psu coolers.

Then if you are sure it is psu, RMA or replace it.

unknown_13 · Oct 20, 2014

Thanks guys it looks like i might be able to return the PSU tomorrow or maybe in 2-3 days, i hope it didn't cause any damage to the other components.

unknown_13 · Oct 25, 2014

So i returned the PSU and they tested it over there, it didn't make any sounds. I brought i back, rebuilt the PC again from scratch, (i thought that there was some problem with the stand-offs but everything was ok) and it makes that f*****g annoying noise again.
Could there be some interference or something? I didn't have any noise coming out of my old PC, though it was running on a Asus P-55GA PSU.
Also, when i took out the board, it was a little bent inward, about 2mm at the top close to the VRM heatsink, but completely straight at the bottom. Should i be worried about this, considering that i've had no problem whatsoever with the board? I really don't know how this happened, i've never pushed the board or applied too much force, except when i installed the cooler, stock Intel with push pins.

Abmario · Oct 25, 2014

Is the sound same as before even you have replaced your psu? I have mentioned that there are other components in your system that run with coolers and fans, could be gpu, cpu or chassis coolers.. If the sounds not coming from your psu, then observe again probably one to the fans you got there or vibrating caps on frequencies.

Try to check if your chassis fans are connected to motherboard or psu molex.. If fans are running 100% or not control from motherboard (by pulse or motherboard voltage regulator) its sound may go 30-40dB or more, what more if its unbalanced or bad bearing..

Try remove chassis fans then see if there's changes in the sound, inspect if there's rubber mounts to isolate the fans from casing and limit the vibration. For graphics card cooler, try remove the card and run the pc, then could be cpu cooler, ensure cooler is well seated (click sound)..

unknown_13 · Oct 25, 2014

Nope it comes from the PSU, and it is there even when the PC is turned off so no fans are spinning...
And all the coolers are seated well. I also tried running it with the IGP and removed my 270, still the same.
I disconnected all the fans and unnecessary connections, repositioned the PC and it still makes that sound. I literally tried everything i can think of, i don't know what do now.

Abmario · Oct 25, 2014

unknown_13 :

How about removing your psu out of the case, cable still connected to your board?.. see it noise will go go down..

unknown_13 · Oct 25, 2014

Abmario :

unknown_13 :

How about removing your psu out of the case, cable still connected to your board?.. see it noise will go go down..

Tried that too lol.

Abmario · Oct 25, 2014

unknown_13 :

Abmario :

Tried that too lol.

Lol. But when it was tested it was ok. You are not into overclocking, right? I mean maybe if psu is full load then fans will run full rpm that will make noise...

unknown_13 · Oct 25, 2014

Nope, everything is stock, and it doesn't matter if the PC is under load or idle.

Abmario · Oct 25, 2014

Well you know the culprit. CM V series is suppose to be good psu.. I am not sure how they tested it, you can do it yourself (http://www.wikihow.com/Check-a-Power-Supply) see if it will run without the strange sound.

It is suppose to have a good fan controller and good airflow design to keep this unit cool without having loud sound.. If it has annoying sound which is not suppose to be like that then something wrong with your psu/fan, either replace it (quite small 450w for your DCanyon

) or RMA it...

unknown_13 · Oct 25, 2014

450W PSU of this class is more than enough for my machine tho, and nope they won't give me a new one because this was running fine when they tested it. They say they tested it for a prolonged period of time but i dunno...
If i had a second desktop PC with components to swap around it would've been a lot easier.
Thanks anyway, i'll post if i find a solution eventually.

Abmario · Oct 25, 2014

Yep, your psu can handle it, I just thought maybe its running at peak with that solid build parts, and a fan running rpm at 100% to cool down psu at full load (either cpu at idle or loaded) it could be different from their test.

Anyway.. You can figure it out haha, you're a TH veteran... So long then.

unknown_13 · Mar 26, 2015

Ok so my PSU died 3 days ago, i sent it back and got a replacement (a new V450S)... which makes that "tzk" sound again. My frustration is over 9000 right now.

unknown_13 · Mar 27, 2015

It looks like in all my ignorance i forgot to plug the computer to a wall outlet in a different room, and it turned out it didn't make any noise whatsoever.
I currently don't have a multimeter to check the current/voltage in my room, nor the means to fix it, i'll see to it as soon as i can, until then would those power strips with good surge protectors do me any favor? Because i currently have to use a long, ordinary power strip to connect to the other room, and it's not practical.

Abmario · Mar 30, 2015

I am not sure about connecting to another wall outlet will remove the noise. PSU has a regulator in it before fan power supply... But good to know your system is fine then.
If you plan to use surge power strip, few things you may need to consider:
a. Rated in Joules (>2,000 Joules is better for pc). the amount of energy a surge protector is capable of absorbing over time.
b. The clamping voltage - voltage that will trigger the surge protector (the lower the better: 300V, 400V, 500V)
c. Warranty, good company offers $50,000 up to $300,000 connected equipment Warranty
d. Protection indicator. Surge protection won't last forever it wear out in time.
This separates ordinary power strips from surge protector strips.

PSU making strange noise

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