High pitch sound from computer

I've been struggling with the following for weeks. This is with Windows 7, 64-bit, and 2 gigs of memory.

I can be using the computer with no problems, and then try to play one of the graphic video games such as "Dirt2". As soon as the game starts, a high-pitch sound starts coming from the computer, very much like the kind of sound a computer makes if the memory is not working properly.

Here's what I have done so far:
Did a full check for any kind of virus - it's clean.
Did a long memory test - no problems.
Set the BIOS to default values. No help.
Tried leaving the anti-virus off. No help.
Installed the latest BIOS - no change
Tried a different user account - same as with mine.
Tried 2 gigs of a friend's memory - no change.
Replaced the GTX 280 video card with and 8800 GT - problem came back next day
Resource Monitor doesn't show anything unusual.
Event Viewer doesn't show anything unusual.

I have now installed "Core Temp 0.99.7" to see if it shows anything unusual (so far it hasn't). By this time tomorrow, I will have added on more memory so it has 4 gigs.

Usually, the computer doesn't make this sound, unless I start up one of the games that has a lot of graphics. However, a few days ago, the computer booted up twice, immediately making this sound. The third time it behaved properly, but I haven't yet tried it with the game.

I can post all the specific hardware I am using, if that would help.


First question - does anyone know of a graphics tester, which can take the computer to the limits, gradually, so maybe I can figure out under what circumstances this noise occurs?

Most importantly, any suggestions on what to try next?

Last question - is it "safe" to leave the computer running, while making this noise, so I can look around and try to figure things out?

I believe your CPU cooling fan is making this big sound.. As you computer needs more cooling....

Open up your CPU cabin, and start the game, observe which cooling fan is causing this issue.. probably there will be two fan, one is for your processor and another is for your cabinet..

Post back the results..

Done that, watched closely. The noise is not coming directly from a fan - it's not just a background sound, it is quite loud, and something inside the computer is definitely making it on purpose as some kind of "warning".

If you mean the fans aren't doing their job, that's why I installed the "Core Temp" program, to see if things are overheating. I don't think this is likely, as the noise happens too quickly - start the game, and the noise is there immediately, no waiting time for anything to heat up.

The computer has lot of fans right now - it has more holes than Swiss cheese, fans in front, top, and side, plus one on the Nvidia card, and the one on the CPU.

My friend who helped build the computer (I helped him, not the other way 'round) thinks that the noise is related to either a bad EVGA video card (but we've replaced that), a bad CPU, or a bad EVGA motherboard.

If you've ever started up a computer that did have a memory problem, and it started some kind of warning sound to tell you about it, that's what this sounds like to me.

Cut the power supply to the fan and try to use your computer for an hour, start the game and check if any random things happening..

If nothing happens we don't need the fan.. Probably we could change it...

This problem has been around for quite awhile. It seems that the coils on the MB vibrate when under load which causes the sound to be made. From what I read about this problem it's influenced by the power supply being used. About the only way to stop the noise is to change power supplies.

This problem has been talked about on many posts at the old EVGA forum. Apparently, the only thing that seemed to affect the noise was to use a different or higher output power supply. Sorry I can't help more but thats about all I know about this problem.

Another friend of mine has the exact same problem but he hasn't fixed it yet.

It could also be an overload warning from the PSU, which can happen if the PSU isn't up to par with the system. A game will make the system pull more from the PSU. If you take the side off your case, you should be able to tell where the noise is coming from directly, especially if it is the PSU.

Not to be funny, but that's some pretty good "guess work" without system specs listed. I say that because there was an issue with certain motherboards and power supplies causing coil hum. In fact, one power supply company wound up replacing the offending power supplies.

System specs would help tremendously here.

My two cents.

OP's system spec listing...

System Manufacturer/Model Number have several computers, not just one
OS Windows 7 64-bit

Sorry, just trying to help.

My system information file is 1.2 megs, and the size limit here is 1 meg.

I've attached the first part of the file. I can type in information myself, but maybe this is better?

Thanks for the advice so far - maybe it's just the power supply??

What sygnus was referring to was the "My System Spec". this is shown in all of your posts. If you look in lower left corner you can see each poster's system specs.

If you know it fill it in by going to the User control panel and then go to Edit System Specs: http://www.sevenforums.com/profile.php?do=extra

that way whenever you have a post, any user can look to see your specs instead of looking through the whole thread to find out what your mobo is. (for example)

You can also use Speccy to get all the info easily: Speccy - System Information - Free Download

this is a big help sometimes as someone might know something is happening due to a specific component.

Also, as for the PSU, there isn't a way to get this info from the system. In order to find that, you have to look on the unit itself. Usually this requires opening the case to look for product ID numbers or mfg/model numbers.

If you purchased the computer and have not changed the PSU then it might be listed in the order info for the specifications of the computer.

As has been mentioned, some specs would be useful. The only thing that I can think of is that it could be your PSU. These do contain a transformer, although this is driven at a much higher frequency than the mains supply (which itself contributes to the regulatory stability of the unit). In some cases, this frequency is near the resonant frequency of the core of the transformer. In normal use, this doesn't cause any problems and any slight noise is drowned out by other system components (fans). However, when put under heavy load, as is the case when running some graphically-demanding games, it can become more prominent. Eventually this noise will become more and more noticeable, even when your system is idle.

What power suppy do you have? I know Corsair had some issues with noise on theirs...

HX650 coil whine - The Corsair Support Forums
Corsair HX 650W/GTX 285 Coil Whine Woes - [H]ard|Forum

Also, what motherboard do you have? There were issues with Corsair and certain boards...

Incompatibility between Asus P6T Deluxe V2 and TX950W? - The Corsair Support Forums
Gigabyte needs to make a Black motherboard
i7 Gigabyte motherboard noisy - Core system - Desktops

Forget files and programs (who needs a program to know their system specs anyway???). Just fill in your specs for the computer in question in a post, like this:

CPU
Motherboard
Memory
Hard Drive(s)
Video Card
PSU

That should take you less than 10 seconds, and help us out quite a bit.

Thorsen, I have two computers I I have been using with Win-7, one on 32-bit (seems to work fine) and one on 64-bit (the one I'm struggling with here). I guess I should fill in the specs for this computer, and just leave a note if I'm asking about the other.

Unfortunately, we stupidly mounted the PSU upside down, meaning the label is hidden. That was my fault, but I never realized at the time that it was hiding the label - truthfully, I didn't realize at the time that there would ever be a reason to even want to know what the PSU was. My fault. I will ask my friend (who purchased the PSU) what it is, and if need be, we can take the computer apart and check the model number, and maybe simply replace it.

The computer wasn't purchased - my friend had all the components, and I bought a "Cooler Master HAF case.
Cooler Master HAF X Case Review | Hardware Secrets


Let's assume you guys have made the right guess. If so, two quick questions. First, if I get the computer into the mode where it's making this noise, is that "dangerous" to the computer? Can I leave it making the sound, while I try to figure out what is going on?

Also, is there a "graphics stress program" that will gradually check things out, and identify when/what is going wrong?

depending on how long ago you made the computer, you probably need to clean the dust out of the PSU.. I don't know if installing upside down can cause heat issues, but dust can and it is good to clean the psu out once and a while.
You can blow compressed air in it or you can open it up to clean it
I have cleaned them. they aren't hard to do, just disconnect it completely and then the PSU case should have a removable top and two sides.

Unfortunately the answer we give you is going to be a general type answer since we don't know your system specs. I hate to say this, but this is like trying to troubleshoot a car problem over the phone with out knowing what engine the car has.

Sorry

But to answer this question....

mikemyers said:

Also, is there a "graphics stress program" that will gradually check things out, and identify when/what is going wrong?

Click to expand...

Yes, there are graphic card tests that will test the card. You may even have one built into you own graphics card software.

As a side note, that HAF X is a nice case.... http://www.sevenforums.com/overclocking-case-mods/96257-cooler-master-s-haf-x.html

chev65 said:

This problem has been around for quite awhile. It seems that the coils on the MB vibrate when under load which causes the sound to be made. From what I read about this problem it's influenced by the power supply being used. About the only way to stop the noise is to change power supplies.

This problem has been talked about on many posts at the old EVGA forum. Apparently, the only thing that seemed to affect the noise was to use a different or higher output power supply. Sorry I can't help more but thats about all I know about this problem.

Another friend of mine has the exact same problem but he hasn't fixed it yet.

Click to expand...

+1 Agreed. Also changing the motherboard fixes the problem as well.

Video card maybe

If your video card has a fan on it (sometimes, it is not visible, behind some cover) then this could be your problem.

Sorry, I have not noticed that you changed the Video card also. So forget the Video card fan. The other thing may be your hard drive. I have not seen hard drives do this lately with newer drives but I had such drives that would makes this sound.

I need to look up the hard drives to add that information, but all my other system information should now be posted. I should have done this first. Sorry.