Strange Buzzing Noise

[CoronaBlue]

The Problem: About a week ago I began hearing a faint buzzing noise coming from my computer. It doesn't sound like what YouTube videos have led me to believe coil whine sounds like, and the sound does not seem to be coming from the vicinity of my PSU. Research hasn't yielded a definite yes or no in regards to whether or not I should be worried. The sound begins when I open a graphically intensive application and ceases a few minutes after I've closed it. My GPU temps appear to be fine. The strange thing, in my opinion, is that the sound is most prominent at the top of the case, near the RAM and the CPU.

 

OS: Windows 7 64 bit.

 

Specs:

CPU: Intel Core i5-4670K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor
CPU Cooler: Noctua NH-L9i
Motherboard: MSI Z87-G43 ATX LGA1150 Motherboard
Memory: Corsair Vengeance 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1866 Memory
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 120GB 2.5" Solid State Disk
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive
Video Card: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 770 2GB Video Card
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case
Power Supply: Corsair RM 750
Optical Drive: LG UH12NS30 Blu-Ray Reader, DVD/CD Writer

 

BIOS Version: American Megatrends Inc. V1.3, 6/6/2013

 

So should I be worried?

[thekeemo]

its not something to worry about and it could be coming from the GPU

[Boink]

This may not be something to worry about but I would rather go through some troubleshooting than risk several hundred dollars in hardware. Better safe than sorry. (and broke)

 

First, check your fans. They most likely aren't the culprit but it never hurts to check.

Then, once you've ruled out the fans, take out the graphics card and load something up on the iGPU. If that doesn't work try testing the RAM sticks, one at a time, or relocating your RAM to different slots. If neither work you may have a problem with your motherboard.

Whichever ends up being the problem part can easily be sent for RMA and replaced within a few days.

[NinjaStyle013]

It probably is coil whine, just coming from the gpu. Easy way to check it is install a really old game and move round, look where the fps drops and spikes itll noticeably change the pitch in the whine.

[bmanzzs]

 

The sound begins when I open a graphically intensive application and ceases a few minutes after I've closed it.

 

 

Coil whine.

[Samfisher]

My coil whine only appears when I'm folding, and never during games.  Doesn't harm anything though.

[SkimmyMcG]

I get random coil whine, almost never when playing games, though. Not anything to worry about in my opinion, but if you wanna open your case when your computer is running and try and pin-point the source of the whine be my guest. My coil whine comes from my stock CPU cooler so I'd start there.

[Mojo-Jojo]

Coil whine.

Sounds more like a fan problem to me. Might be starting to vibrate/hitting something.

COil whine will stop as SOON as the demanding app is stopped and the GPU utilization goes down again.

 

The OT hears it until minutes AFTER he closes it, leading me to believe it's temperature-related. AKA the GPU's still hot when he stops the program and it has to cool down some more.

[bmanzzs]

Sounds more like a fan problem to me. Might be starting to vibrate/hitting something.

COil whine will stop as SOON as the demanding app is stopped and the GPU utilization goes down again.

 

The OT hears it until minutes AFTER he closes it, leading me to believe it's temperature-related. AKA the GPU's still hot when he stops the program and it has to cool down some more.

 

Good point. I suppose it would have related more to coil whine if he said "immediately" begins when opening a graphically intensive application, and immediately ends after it's closed.

 

I was initially thinking it was hard drive vibrations, but since he says it only occurs during those certain times, you're probably right.

 

He also says it's "most prominent" in the top of the case, near the RAM and CPU. So it could also possibly be the CPU fan, since if the GPU is under load, the CPU is also probably being used. Maybe the Noctua has developed a loose fan bearing and is only audible at higher fan speeds? I wouldn't be surprised. 

 

@CoronaBlue I would check both CPU and GPU fans.

[Mojo-Jojo]

Good point. I suppose it would have related more to coil whine if he said "immediately" begins when opening a graphically intensive application, and immediately ends after it's closed.

 

I was initially thinking it was hard drive vibrations, but since he says it only occurs during those certain times, you're probably right.

 

He also says it's "most prominent" in the top of the case, near the RAM and CPU. So it could also possibly be the CPU fan, since if the GPU is under load, the CPU is also probably being used. Maybe the Noctua has developed a loose fan bearing and is only audible at higher fan speeds? I wouldn't be surprised. 

 

@CoronaBlue I would check both CPU and GPU fans.

I agree, it's more probably a CPU fan. 

 

Either way I'd just check the fans to see of they're starting to go bad. Fans aren't too bad to replace, but damage caused by bad fans is!