Computer making dripping sound?

[vincentg0414]

Hey guys.
I've been having an issue with my PC recently. I can only describe it as, what sounds like a constant dripping sound. Here's the thing though, my system IS NOT WATER COOLED! I was told by a few friends it could be the HDD, so I ran a check on it. 100 bad sectors, but it's been like that for over a year.

I'm 100% SURE that the noise is coming from inside the case. Not the speakers.

This is the computer I have. http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2414946,00.asp

I've noticed I only hear this dripping sound when I'm gaming. It does not occur when I'm sitting idle on the desktop.

Any ideas?

 

[sam1275tom]

Yes it should be the HDD

 

[vincentg0414]

i don't understand though, no one has reported a similar sound to what im hearing.

 

[sam1275tom]

i don't understand though, no one has reported a similar sound to what im hearing.

When the HDD have problem with some sector or even the head, it will retry access the area again and again, and will align the head-arm repeatedly, and combine with some HDD enclosure + PC case vibration, it certainly can sound like dripping...
I have a lot of HDD from 500MB to 3TB, different brand/speed/platter count will sound different, and act different when they have problem.
Why only ask here? You can open your case and locate the sound source yourself if you want to make sure.

 

[vincentg0414]

i'm kind of worried about opening it.. i have a carpeted rug and stuff.. do you think its safe to open it and listen for the sound?

 

[sam1275tom]

i'm kind of worried about opening it.. i have a carpeted rug and stuff.. do you think its safe to open it and listen for the sound?

I think so, if you just open the PC case and do things carefully, you are not likely to break it...
However don't open the HDD itself, it will broken because there are too many dust in room air, even you don't see them...

Some basic warning if you are the first time doing this:

Don't put too much force on the internal things;
do not use wet hand;
better touch a grounded pipe before touch your PC parts;
do not touch internal wire while PC is on (you may short them because you are a conductor);
do not plug/unplug things while PC is on

GOOD LUCK.

 

[vincentg0414]

for grounded myself, what exactly should i touch? the outside of my case?

thanks again

 

[sam1275tom]

for grounded myself, what exactly should i touch? the outside of my case?

thanks again

Oh that's why I said "touch a grounded pipe" haha.
If your case is surely grounded, you can touch it, or it's better to touch a water pipe in the house...