PSU Faulty?? Making a humming noise

[jase888]

Hi,

i have a funny noise coming from my pc, i installed a ssd and since there is like a humming noise like something working quick, sometimes its not there but after the pc been on a while it comes on.

I have taken out most componenets and its not cpu, gpu, dvd drive, ssd cables or anything like that, ive been told it could be a dodgy psu (corsair 850) but its only a year old and they are meant to be reliable.

Just wondered if anyone else has experienced similar issue, its not that psu is overloaded as i have taken gpu out and the noise is still there, i dont want to buy a new psu if its not gonna work and i dont have another that's 850w to test it.

I've also been told a psu tester wont tell me if its dodgy just if its not working, is this true? Everything on pc is working but its just making this noise, its not that loud but its annoying and needs fixing.

Thanks for any help people, this issue is driving me crazy!

[RicheemxX]

Your fans could just need a good cleaning. If you want to know if it's just the PSU or just the PSU fan you can disconnect everything and pull it out of the case and use the paper-clip trick to jump start it on its own. If it's still making a humming (note not buzzing) then try cleaning it out with some compressed air.

If its buzzing the the unit might be bad.

I've also been told a psu tester wont tell me if its dodgy just if its not working, is this true? Everything on pc is working but its just making this noise, its not that loud but its annoying and needs fixing.

Yes and no, you can use a multi-meter to test the rails and make sure they are putting out the right power. However, unless you test it under full load there is no way to know for certain its not going bad or the power isn't dropping out when its being pushed.

Honestly though if it was failing for the most part you'd generally have intermittent issues.

[jase888]

Right thanks for that, hadn't heard about the paper clip trick but will give it a go over the weekend. I have cleaned the pc out good so its not dust in fans but I haven't cleaned out psu with compressed air so that's the next option.

If i disconnect everything from psu surely it won't be running as hard though and might not make the nosie?

Also i might try the psu on my bros system but that currently uses a 350w psu so if i put my 850w its not going to do any damage to components due to too much power?

[JPMiller]

No such thing as too much power...
the system DRAWS the power it needs.
The power supply doesnt PUSH anything.
the wattage means, thats what available at a safe range of total draw by the system.

[jase888]

thought so just wanted to check, heard people say there psu fried components. Hope its the psu thats the issue because its been going on for weeks

[stroyal]

I know it's crude, but I would and do test fan, by holding them with a pencil or the like, so they can't run, then start the computer.
If the noise goes away, it is the fan.

You can test in 10 seconds, instead of an hour.

Those are the fans I can't touch with a finger.
The ones I can get at, I just put my finger on the center, carefully, and stop it.
Noise goes away, it's the fan.

I don't recommend this, unless you are sure of what you are doing, (grounding, and being careful).
I have never had a problem with that way, in 25years.

Power supplies do fry computers, but not because they put out too much power, as JP said, they can't, but cheap power supplies have no circuit protection for thre computer.

When they fail, they take the rest of the computer with them.


All electrical devices, work on demand, not availability.

[jase888]

ok, well i will try that first like you say its going to only take a few seconds. I will let you know weather or not it works.

My pc is fine to start with the noise comes after its been on a while so will have to wait and see.