Hi Guys, Having a minor but annoying issue with my new build, the "shiney new bitz joy" soon turned to annoyance and my enthusiasm for computers in general is starting to wane some what, even before this. Anyways... As always with these threads, scroll down for the TLDR marker if you just want to know what I'm asking. I've built a new X99 system from scratch, everything has gone pretty smoothly. I'm not new at building systems and while I'm out of practice I'm not a complete moron (he says). I had a minor issue with it not liking a low end nVidia 210 GPU I had in there to start with and the system not posting. Upon doing a bit of research, I read that some boards don't like cards that use shared memory which seemed to link up with the LED post codes I was getting. So I popped one of my newly purchased MSI Lightning 290X GPUs and it posted, updated the BIOS, tweaked the settings and then installed Windows without issue. Then came load testing and upon running 3DMark11 and Heaven I was presented with a stable but whiney system (sort of like me but getting less stable each day at this stage! ). Only GPU load causes the coil whine, about mid-way through the systematic ruling out of parts I ran Prime95 and LinX to try and see if it was CPU load, but these tests were whine free. As with all coil whine, my first thought was the GPU, it seemed to be coming from that area. So I switched to another identical 290X and it presented the same issue. Next, PSU obviously, tried another unit I had to hand and the same issue. Ok, so maybe it was both GPUs changed to another third GPU I was in the process of selling and know is coil whine free and again the same issue. Finally another PSU I purchased 2nd hand from the MP here turned up today. Popped it in and of course, the same issue! After ruling out the GPUs and PSUs I actually thought it was coming from the upper left VRM area of the board, but upon moving the GPU about three PCI-E slots down, nearer the bottom of the case it is more clearly coming from the GPU area. I guess it was just the case bouncing the sound around, but at one point I was 100% certain it was the board. I'm still doubting myself at this stage as I'm sure you can understand. I've also ruled out plug sockets, trying a few in the house with an extension cable. I've used two different UK kettle lead power cables and removed any surge protectors from the equation. Really not sure what else to try. Specifications: Asus X99 Deluxe Intel i7 5930K 16GB (4GB x 4) Corsair DDR4 2800MHz (running @ stock 2133MHz) Samsung 840 Pro 256GB SSD Phanteks- PH-TC14PE HSF GPUs used: MSI 290X Lightning x 2 Asus Matrix Platium GTX780 Ti (known to be coil whine free, pulled from my previous system) PSUs used: Fractal Design Edison M 750W PSU (Brand New & a Seasonic OEM) Coolermaster V850 PSU (2nd Hand from the MP & a Seasonic OEM) Seasonic X-Series 1250W PSU (known to be coil whine free, pulled from my previous system) TLDR; My system has coil whine under GPU load. I've ruled out plug sockets, surge protectors, power cables, GPUs, PSUs. So basically I'm wondering if somehow the motherboard is causing the GPU coil whine? Poor voltage regulation through the PCI-E slots maybe? I'm honestly not sure. Ultimately I'm near the end of my tether and want to know if anyone have any experience with a motherboard being ultimately at fault in a bad case of GPU coil whine? I feel I've ruled everything out but would like some confirmation before I drop cash on another part that may not fix the issue. I will add that the board was purchased 2nd hand the original owner claims no issues, running 4 GPUs at one stage. Thanks for reading! Mark
I have 7 pc's up n running here so if you get stuck I'm happy to test any of the cards in my pc's to rule them out. It won't be an over night return though but hopefully would rule out the cards.
Is it just during 100% gpu load, or is it under gaming load? Remember when starcraft 2 came out and nvidia cards were cooking themselves in the menu screen as there was no frame limiter? My gtx 570 of the time used to screech then, but once in game and under usual load, it returned to quiet running. Having said that, I also had a maximus v gene that I had to stop using as it would coil whine all day under any loading. I even rma'd my psu in the troubleshooting process as i was convinced that was the culprit. Sorry, no real help there.
I've honestly not checked the actual GPU load levels, but it is running older benchmarks like 3DMark 11 is where it is most noticeable. So it could be that at higher frame rates it is clearer, but it does happen to a lesser degree in Heaven maxed out, but you have to be closer to the system to hear it over the fans. With 3DMark 11 I'm a good 1.5m away from the system (with an open side panel) and I can clearly make out. It starts as soon as the test starts (ie not on the loading screen, only on the test actual) and then stops immediately after the test ends. It also isn't the usual coil whine that I'm used to that changes pitch a lot, it is more of a hissy buzz if that makes sense. Appreciate the reply regardless, any suggestions are good suggestions at this stage. I'm going to do some more tests today and tomorrow. On a side note, does anyone know how the VRMs on a X99 board work? Is there a specific VRM or group of VRMs that feed the PCI-E slots? Could it be that they are faulty?
I have the same issue. Noticed it when performing the "Windows rating test". I hear a coil whine each time it reaches the GPU tests. I have an Asus Z77 Gryphon and an EVGA GTX770, PSU is an old Corsair HX520 from 2008.
Coil whine is a common issue, but it most cases it is the GPU or PSU at fault. I suspect in your case it is likely to be the PSU, for me though it is looking like the motherboard. My fault, was a long day even without these issues yesterday. So in my tiredness I forgot to put that sort of key info into the OP. It is a Asus X99 Deluxe.
No worries. I only ask in case it's the same board I have, which it is. I don't recall hearing much by way of coil whine, but I will happily run some tests on it for you to see if I can recreate it? Is it just 3Dmark, Heaven, that sort of thing?
Appreciate it! 3DMark 11 free version running the standard P test, benchmarks only is where it is most noticeable. Edit: Also out of curiosity, have you disabled any of the C-State settings? I've heard leaving them at default can cause some coil whine but I'm guessing that isn't the cause in my case.
I'll try and fire through a 3Dmark tonight, but it might be tomorrow. Is it definitely a coil whine? Otherwise, I wondered if it might be like a mosfet 'squeal'?
It may sound silly but check your fans and their speeds, I was convinced I had coil whine on an old 670. It turned out that I was using my mobo to set fan speeds, I had it set too low and it wasnt providing enough voltage to the fans which resulted in an undulating whine that used to drive me mad.
No rush, if you haven't noticed anything before, then I'm doubtful you will now. I appreciate the help regardless. It is possible I suppose, I've been fairly lucky (until now lol) that my systems have been fairly electronic noise free. So I don't really have the experience to fall back on to identify exactly what component on the GPU it is. Like I say, it isn't really what I'd class as coil whine, but it seemed the most familiar reference point to put in the thread. It sounds very electronic, but I have stopped all but the GPU fans. It is on my to-do list today though. Edit: All fans stopped, still the buzzing noise remains.
I am very fussy about noisy things - so I'd imagine I'd have noticed if it did make a racket, but nevertheless I'll happily check for you! If mine doesn't do it, I wonder if it's worth exploring an RMA with ASUS? The problem being, I suppose, that the first owner would have to do it?
Yeah an RMA is definitely on the cards. Can you do an RMA through the Asus website via the serial number? I've done it with a monitor but never with anything else. I've just moved the GPU to the bottom most slot to have a bit of a listen. It is running at x4 but that can't be helped. The more I listen to it the less it sounds like coil whine. I'll attempt to do a quick and dirty video.
Here we go, excuse the dodgy sound quality: http://www.markljlewis.com/buzzlightyear.mp4 It is about 23MB so not too bad. Definitely sounds more buzzy than coil whiney.
Well, I've had a good go at sorting it today and no luck. Ordered a new motherboard on a bit of a chuck money at the problem until it goes away whim. Wasn't the exact model but the X99-S which only lacks a few things from the deluxe like an extra LAN port and wireless. My bad luck struck again when it arrived not only with a dead SATA01 port, but a small but noticeable dent in the uppermost heatsink. It did however serve its purpose before being returned and ruled the motherboard out as the cause, which is a bit unfortunate as it seemed the most likely. During the whole process I built the system downstairs on the dining room table, away from the case with the old board first. Same issue. Then with the new board, same issue. I've tried single sticks of memory in various slots, two more GPUs, one of which was too loud to help, the other produced the same issue but also produces the same issue in my sister's system anyways. I'm unwilling to put the GTX 780Ti in her system (assuming it would fit) at this stage, the PSU isn't up to it but I may (if I can be bothered) try that tomorrow. In doing this I've ruled out the case, the motherboard, further ruled out the plug sockets and EMI from the other electronics in my room. Ruled out the RAM, I ran an Intel diagnostic on the CPU with no problems and a pass so I guess that is ruled out. I've pretty much admitted defeat now, I've ruled everything as conclusively as I feel I can apart from the CPU out. As I'm unable (read: unwilling) to source another, especially as it is unlikely to be the cause. I have given up and finally come to the realisation that one or more of the following is true: 1. My hearing has become more sensitive and I can now hear EMI more clearly than before (a lame super power at best). 2. My previous setup had the same issue, but the fans were loud enough to mask it completely (quite possible). 3. The electric supply in my house is full of ripple etc. (The fuse boxes etc all need redoing and the wiring is old so this could be the case.) 4. I'm going slowly insane (this one is 100% true) Ah well, I tried!
Might be worth trying a mains conditioner to rule this out but it might be snake oil more than anything else, and it's a bit pricey too.
Indeed, I think those surge protector / power strip style ones are snake oil like you say. The only ones I've heard good things about are the big expensive industrial style ones you can put on your mains line feed going into your house. I guess I could consider a UPS, but getting one to support the wattage of my system isn't going to be cheap.
I haven't managed to try my system properly yet, but I suspect it will be a fruitless exercise - my apologies for the delay. Was out all of yesterday evening!