CobaltSparkz

@Zando Bob Appreciated.

Ok, I can 100% confirm that the crackling and FPS drops occur when a "spike" in CPU usage occurs, but it does NOT peak to 100%, it is literally any form of load on the CPU. My PC automatically downclocks to around 2.5GHZ when idling, but if any load is put on, it will shoot up to around 4.2 then settle back down - I'm assuming this is the issue, but why now, and what can I do to resolve that? Are C-States involved, or anything like that? (clutching at straws)

It's when the disk is idling - When the disk is in use, it has 0 noise issues at all - I've also run the relevant health checks and it's in "perfect" health

Hey there! I built this PC myself in September 2014, so it's not super new, but not super old either. Recently, I've experienced some pretty odd stuff. I've noticed that my speakers sometimes make an odd crackling sound, and my FPS will dip ingame at that exact moment, then pop back up again. I've also installed an "old" harddisk, for backup purposes, and it makes a clicking noise. From what I can understand, in relation to the HDD, anyways, is that it's possibly not getting enough power, and that's causing the header to reset, frequently. As for my GPU and Speakers, I find it odd that they're doing this simultaneously. I upgraded to a Sapphire RX 580 Nitro+, but found after 30 mins or so of gaming, the core clock would tank and my FPS would drop/cap, but restarting the game (and the PC if required) would fix this. My specs: OS: Windows 10 pro x64 CPU: i5 4670k OC 4.2GHZ via MSI Command Center CPU Cooler: Be Quiet! Dark Rock 3 GPU: MSI GTX 1060 6GB Gaming X Motherboard: MSI Gaming 3 PSU: Corsair AX760 RAM: 16GB Corsair Vengeance OC from 1600MHZ to 1866MHZ Via BIOS (I have reset to default, to make sure this wasn't interfering with other things as well) Storage: 2x Samsung 850 Pro 256GB, 1x Seagate Barracuda 2TB, 1x Samsung 5400RPM 2TB (Old Backup drive) My CPU isn't running at 100% load when these issues occurs, but there is a slight spike in the CPU usage when this FPS drop/speaker crackle/mouse lag occurs - Is it possible related to the overclock/bios CPU settings? I've not had problems with my overclock, I don't know enough to manually go changing it to push a higher one, but have never had issues with it sitting at 4.2GHZ. My temps are fine, idle is 35 on CPU and 35 on GPU (Fans don't action until 50c), and under load (gaming, not synthetic) CPU is 55, GPU is 55-60, and my motherboard temps are idle around 30, and obviously go to 40-50 dependant on CPU load due to voltage increase. I also did a complete reinstall of windows around 5 days ago, as I thought it was possibly an issues there, in regards to the FPS drop. I'm by no means a novice at computers, but nor am I an expert. Is there something obvious that I'm missing? I can provide any screenshots or information that is required - Thanks in advance. Sparkz

After more research and testing, the only fan that works "properly" is my CPU fan, which happens to be 4 pin, or PWM. I'm under the impression the Corsair Commander mini unit will not work as it appears to be trying to control voltage-controlled fans with PWM, rather than actually controlling them with voltage. Corsairs default presets are: Performance, Balanced and Quiet. If I make my own custom curve, the pulsing is a lot less noticeable, but I'm under the impression that their default presets are trying to control my fans with pulses, which explains the revving up/down of the fans

Just done a completely fresh install of Windows 10, same issue occurs. Literally makes no sense ._.

From what I've read, no - I believe 3 pins are regulated via voltage, rather than 4 pin which is managed with Pulse Width Modulation. AFAIk, the only benefit from PWM fans is that the fans can run at lower speeds as they're not regulated/controlled by voltage

Hey! Basically, I've had two fan controllers which plug into the USB header on the motherboard, however my PC fans just constantly pulse - Revving up and down whenever they feel like it. (Video of revving to better understand - https://youtu.be/O5DKl_qQ_CE ) After months of testing with Corsair tech support, and 3 new Corsair Commander Mini Units, it was deemed that it would not work properly with my motherboard. I bought an NZXT Grid V2+, and, after installation, to my dismay, the same thing happened (Even with hysteresis enabled). Also, both units are powered individually from the PSU - Corsair via SATA, NZXT via Molex - the USB is only for information transfer. All fans, barring the CPU fan, are 3 pin - However, the NZXT GridV2+ only has 3pin Male connectors on it. PC Specs (Custom build my myself - Owned since October 2014) OS: Windows 10, build 14393 CPU: Intel i5 4670K (Stock, 3.4GHZ) GPU: MSI Nvidia GTX 760 Motherboard: MSI Z97 PC Mate (old), MSI Z97 Gaming 3 (New) Memory: 16gb (4x4GB) Corsair Vengeance 1600MHZ DDR3 Storage: 2x 256GB Samsung 850 Pro, 1x 2TB Seagate Barracuda PSU: Corsair AX860 Fans: 2x Corsair AF120MM (3 Pin, on Y Splitter), 2x Corsair AF140MM (3 Pin, on Y Splitter), Stock Corsair 140MM (3 Pin), Stock Corsair 120MM (3 Pin), Coolermaster Hyper T4 CPU Cooler (4 pin) Case: Corsair Carbide 300R Steps tested: Bios Flash/Update. Previous version of Corsair Link software installed (Includes deleting roaming data e.t.c) Tested different "profiles" on Corsair Link Software, and NZXT CAM software. Swapped connector on other USB Header on Motherboard. Changed Legacy USB Support. Tested on other PC, works fine. Tested fans individually, with no splitters. Tested with now three motherboards - Doesn't work on either of mine (PC Mate or Gaming), tested on Friends' PC and works fine. Tested different PSU as well. I'm now inclined to believe it's something to do with my OS, as that's really the only thing I haven't "replaced". I am at wits end - I have to use a controller/hub, as the headers on my motherboard aren't sufficient - only three of 5 are controllable, and the MSI Command Center wasn't exactly reliable when it came to controlling the speeds - the vast majority of the time, it sounded like a small jet engine was testing its afterburners next to me. Any assistance is greatly appreciated. Sparkz