Any solution for audibly noisy ga-x79-ud7 motherboard?

[Charlweed]

Like some other boards I have seen posts about, my Gigabyte ga-x79-ud7 makes clearly audible sounds.
The sounds seem to come from the two rows of black cubes in-between the CPU and the heat-pipe riser. The sounds are loudest with heavy graphics card use, but are noticeable with any significant IO load, including USB devices. The sounds are as loud as conversation, (30-60db at one meter on my sound level meter). The sounds are similar to hisses, squeals, squeaks, scratches and ticks.

I have never encountered this before, nor even heard about it until I started googling. It seems that IF any solutions work, they are board-by-board specific. So anyone have any recommendations for my ga-x79-ud7? Currently, I am NOT overclocking my 3.3ghz i7-3960x .

MOBO: GA-X79-UD7 (rev. 1.0)
BIOS Ver : F7
VGA Brand : Nvidia Model : 580GTX SLI: two cards.
CPU Brand : Intel Model : i7-3960x Speed : 3.3ghz
Operation System : Win 7 64-bit SP : 1
Memory Brand : G.Skill Type : DDR3
Memory Size : 16gb Speed : PC3-12800
Power Supply : 120 W
Cooling: Water, 13mm inside diameter fittings, 360sq cm radiator, pump=Koolance PMP-450 17L/min flow.

Hardware monitor ITE IT8728
Voltage 0 1.06 Volts [0x58] (CPU VTT)
Voltage 1 1.50 Volts [0x7D] (DRAM C/D)
Voltage 2 11.88 Volts [0xA5] (+12V)
Voltage 3 5.07 Volts [0xA9] (+VCC)
Voltage 5 0.89 Volts [0x4A] (CPU VCORE)
Voltage 6 1.50 Volts [0x7D] (DRAM A/B)
Voltage 7 3.36 Volts [0x8C] (+3.3V)
Temperature 0 42°C (107°F) [0x2A] (TMPIN0)
Temperature 1 45°C (113°F) [0x2D] (TMPIN1)
Temperature 2 35°C (95°F) [0x23] (TMPIN2)

 

[puttsy]

The part that is making noise is called the MOSFET. It contains the VRM's (Voltage regulation) and other power funtions for the PSU. It is semi-normal for them to make noise. You may try a new power supply to see if that helps the issue. 130W is very, VERY low. So low, I am hoping it is a typo because that is probably your issue otherwise.

Give that a shot and see if it helps. Come back with thoughts and other things you try but, my guess is that it's in part, due to the power supply. Beyond that, you would probably want to replace the board either through RMA or warranty from Gigabyte.

 

[Charlweed]

Sorry, that WAS a typo. I have a 1200 watt power supply, an Antec 1200 high current pro.

 

[Charlweed]

I just saw on another forum:
****
It's has been widely documented that there was a BIOS/Noise issue when first released .... it was a BIOS programing error, not poor hardware....the BIOS update apparently fixed ni on all boards ..... if your board does not settle down ...... there could be a problem!

Aussie Allan
****

Now, I don't know about "widely reported" because my searches did not turn up anything, but I'm going to give it a try.

 

[puttsy]

Let us know what you find! Then, please post back with the BIOS version AND link to help others.

Also, please select a correct answer, whether it's mine or yours with the solution, if you fix the problem, mark it as solved.

 

[jaquith]

Yeah sure try the BIOS F8, but that MOBO has been a nightmare for a lot of folks. As I understand it the Gigabyte GA-X79-UD7 (rev. 1.0) has been pulled off the shelves and is awaiting an update to GA-X79-UD7 (rev. 2.0) as a re-release. Ditto with the SB-E CPU's going to C2, Intel is re-releasing the SB-E on January 20th. Google PCN111178-00 ad read the PDF.

I've built four systems using the ASUS Rampage IV Extreme which has been free of the C1 SB-E bug. So if possible and IMO exchange your MOBO for the ASUS Rampage IV Extreme ... and maybe the CPU once available.

 

[yshuwen521]

how about not use SLI, just use one card? also check with F8 bios update?

 

[Charlweed]

Just to share, the F8 did reduce the noises. the real question is : Did thoes noises indicate damage to the motherboard?

If no, problem solved. If YES, the end of the noises only hides the fact the the rev. 1.0 board is a lemon.

I finally got a reply from Gigabyte, they say I should RMA it.
Looks like I will soon be the owner of a 62lb, $4000 paperweight under my desk.
Sweet nymph of pain, this sucks.