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Q&A

Welcome to the Power Users community on Codidact!

Power Users is a Q&A site for questions about the usage of computer software and hardware. We are still a small site and would like to grow, so please consider joining our community. We are looking forward to your questions and answers; they are the building blocks of a repository of knowledge we are building together.

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Q&A Computer whining (~16khz noise coming from somewhere in the case)

Olin's answer correctly diagnoses this as a form of coil whine, which can be emitted from almost any component but in your case is coming from the PSU. If you're not comfortable with voiding the w...

posted 2y ago by deleted user  ·  edited 2y ago by deleted user

Answer
#2: Post edited by (deleted user) · 2022-05-09T11:02:18Z (over 2 years ago)
Clarification
  • Olin's answer correctly diagnoses this as a form of [coil whine](https://www.howtogeek.com/297166/what-is-coil-whine-and-can-i-get-rid-of-it-on-my-pc/), which can be emitted from almost any component but in your case is coming from the PSU.
  • If you're not comfortable with voiding the warranty and touching potentially high-voltage components, the simpler (but perhaps more expensive) option is to try a different PSU. The amount of whine you get from any given device can vary considerably based on the make and model, and is typically less (although not necessarily silent) on more premium components.
  • My current PC came with a fairly basic Cooler Master PSU which was so whiny the machine was practically unusable, but the noise all but disappeared when I replaced the PSU with a more expensive Corsair gaming model. Of course you need to decide how willing you are to spend money on a new component without knowing up front if it will solve the problem, but if you order it online you should at least have the right to send it back for a refund if it doesn't help.
  • Olin's answer correctly diagnoses this as a form of [coil whine](https://www.howtogeek.com/297166/what-is-coil-whine-and-can-i-get-rid-of-it-on-my-pc/), which can be emitted from almost any component but in your case is coming from the PSU.
  • If you're not comfortable with voiding the warranty and touching potentially high-voltage components, the simpler (but perhaps more expensive) option is to try a different PSU. The amount of whine you get from any given device can vary considerably based on the make and model, and is typically less (although not necessarily silent) on more premium components.
  • My current PC came with a fairly basic Cooler Master PSU which was so whiny the machine was practically unusable, but the noise all but disappeared when I replaced the PSU with a more expensive Corsair gaming model. Of course you need to decide how willing you are to spend money on a new component without knowing up front if it will solve the problem, but if you order it online you should at least have the right to send it back for a refund if it doesn't help.
  • _Clarification in response to comment:_ my answer is not that Cooler Master PSUs are always noisy or that Corsair PSUs are always quiet. Both are respectable brands with a range of products at various difference price/quality points. My suggestion is that if you have a particularly noisy PSU and are prepared to spend some money, then upgrading to a more premium model (possibly one which is specifically sold as "silent" or "quiet") might solve the problem, as it did for me.
#1: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2022-04-13T13:17:22Z (over 2 years ago)
Olin's answer correctly diagnoses this as a form of [coil whine](https://www.howtogeek.com/297166/what-is-coil-whine-and-can-i-get-rid-of-it-on-my-pc/), which can be emitted from almost any component but in your case is coming from the PSU.

If you're not comfortable with voiding the warranty and touching potentially high-voltage components, the simpler (but perhaps more expensive) option is to try a different PSU. The amount of whine you get from any given device can vary considerably based on the make and model, and is typically less (although not necessarily silent) on more premium components.

My current PC came with a fairly basic Cooler Master PSU which was so whiny the machine was practically unusable, but the noise all but disappeared when I replaced the PSU with a more expensive Corsair gaming model. Of course you need to decide how willing you are to spend money on a new component without knowing up front if it will solve the problem, but if you order it online you should at least have the right to send it back for a refund if it doesn't help.