Recently bought a XXX 4890 XXX Edition. Whenever i ramp it up in an intense game – it buzz’s quite loud. For example, on Crysis it’ll buzz quite loud at start up / menus and then quiet down a bit after couple of minutes in game.. But it’s still slightly there. I’ve googled the hell out of the issue – most saying it’s a common occurrence.. But not an actual problem. Opinions vary on a solution.. From people getting replacements and it being fine, to most getting replacements and completely different cards and still having the problem. Some also say it could be a PSU problem, with some saying a more sufficient one would solve the problem. I’d like people’s opinions on here.. 1) Should i return for a replacement (Doesn’t seem much point if it’s a common occurrence and not damaging anything) 2) Should i purchase a high wattage PSU 3) Do nothing. Setup: - i7 920 - 6gb corsair dominator DDR3 - MSI x58 Pro - 2x 1TB WD HDDs (I tried unplugged one to see if it happens, to lower power consumption. Same thing occurred) - 520w coolermaster modular PSU
I would return it if your not happy, although it does sound like a poor fan. If you want to keep this card perhaps look for an aftermarket cooler for it.
It’s definitely not the fan. For example – say i have CS Source open with vertical sync on. Then turn off vertical sync – almost instantly the buzzing starts. No fan change. From what i’ve read from researching it on google, people are saying it’s a capacitor making this noise? Due to up’d power consumption. I don’t really fully understand the problem to be honest. I don’t mind returning the card – it’s just i don’t wanna waste my time doing it.. If someone on here recognizing the problem or has the knowledge to diagnose the best way of sorting it out.
it's a common problem of whining noise on nVidia cards. it's the voltage regulators working hard. usually only happens at high framerates (eg, when Vsync is disabled) never heard of it happening on ATI cards, i would return it, probably a bad VRM.
Its just the fan trying to keep up with the heat created from playing crysis. Possibly a slightly faulty fan at that.
+1 to wuyanxu, it's almost certainly the VRM's. I've had a couple of nvidia cards that did this. It's just a p*ss poor design flaw on nvidia's part. Although, in their defense, they had a rethink, changed a few compents and remedied the problem with the GTX275, I have no whinning at all. I've also read this problem commonly affects the 4890 too. If i were you, to be on the safe side, RMA it. Better to be safe than sorry. If you get a replacement that does the same thing, I'd either learn to live with it, or swap in out for a GTX275
