Hard Disk clicking sound.

alexandar.strainov

Prominent
Jan 17, 2018
4
0
510
Hi!

So, my specs are:
CPU: AMD FX8350
GPU: ASUS GTX 1060
RAM: 2x8Gb DDR3 2100Mhz
MOTHERBOARD: Asrock 970 Extreme 3.0 r 2.0.
Water Cooling, Be quiet, silent loop 240mm with 2x120mm stock fans.
3 extra 120mm fans, and 2x40mm fans on the VRM.
STORAGE: 1xSSD 240gb, SanDisk Ultra II + 1 TB HDD, Seagate Baracuda.
PSU: CSL, if i'm not wrong, some German brand, but cheap. 500w, 80+% efficiency, at least thats on their website.
Why did i write detailed specs? Well, i have strange problem, and i don't know what's causing it. So, i have strange Clicking sound coming from the HDD, it's not constant, it happens in randomly, and also, before the clicking sound, the computer just freezes for some short time, like 5-10 seconds, sometimes more, sometimes less. The computer reacts, mouse, and everything i mean, but it doesn't react on clicking, opening windows, or anything other, then after those few seconds, everything goes back to normal right after the clicking sound from HDD appears. Checked the HDD in many tools, no errors, also, the HDD is only 3 months old, the whole setup actually. Everything started after changing the motherboard and the CPU to something "better". Everything was fine before that. Hard disk does work fine, i run even games from it sometimes, and then, there is no freezing at all. It happens mostly when i browse the internet, or write some documents in office. Tried reinstaling the Windows (windows 10), reformating the drive, tried even windows 7 due to posible drivers problem with the older generation of the motherboard, nothing helped. I was reading through some forums, and some are saying that the HDD is failing, and some are saying that the PSU could be the problem, even though it's 500w, it's a cheap one, and it could cause problems. So, if anyone has any tips... Thanks!
 

alexandar.strainov

Prominent
Jan 17, 2018
4
0
510


Thanks for the tip, data is already backed up. I'm just trying to figure out if it's really the HDD or the PSU as some people say. Unfortunately, i don't have other PC to test the HDD neither the PSU. And, could you recommend me a new PSU for this kind of setup? :)
 


Agreed, a bad PSU wont cause mechanical noises in the hard drive.

WIth that said, we always recommend using a good quality power supply with gaming builds. Saving $30 on a cheapo power supply to have it fry a $200 GPU and a $80 motherboard is not "saving" any money.
 

alexandar.strainov

Prominent
Jan 17, 2018
4
0
510


I understand. I didn't choose this PSU, the whole build was as it is bought in the shop.I changed the MOBO and CPU (found a cheap deal for both, otherwise, probably would never buy an FX in 2017, ryzen was already available). I will buy a new PSU, and of course, a new HDD. I did try some of the online PSU calculators, but how much would you guys recommend for this specs?

 


520-550w is a good amount for the 1060. You can get by on less but the 550w gives you headroom and the ability to go up to xx70 card in the future.

Seasonic and Superflower is always a good choice in PSUs. Dont know about in your region but in the USA the Seasonic S12 (and sometimes M12 which is modular) is a good quality "budget friendly" unit that is often on sale.
 

alexandar.strainov

Prominent
Jan 17, 2018
4
0
510


Thanks for the help! I live in Germany, but as i can see, there are Seasonic PSUs available in many shops. Thanks one more time!