Question Electric/Buzzing/Arcing noise coming from powersupply

[Skripted]

Hello! A few hours after undervolting my PC, I started hearing this buzzing noise coming from my PC. It happened while I was gaming, and it was loud and frequent enough to make me worry. Other than that, there were no other ambnormalities (like sparks or performance issues). This PSU is rather new, a CX550M which I bought last year (My previous PSU was also fairly new as well, but cheaper). I have some photos of the PSU and its ATX connector. I was wondering this should be any indication to replace PSUs again.

Here are the photos:

https://imgur.com/a/n4FH9Qt

View: https://imgur.com/a/n4FH9Qt

 

[Ralston18]

Update your post to include full system hardware specs and OS information.

Include disk drive(s): make, model, capacity, how full?

Are you certain that the noise was from the PSU?

Have you stopped undervolting the PC? Did the buzzing noise stop?

 

[Skripted]

Update your post to include full system hardware specs and OS information.

Include disk drive(s): make, model, capacity, how full?

Are you certain that the noise was from the PSU?

Have you stopped undervolting the PC? Did the buzzing noise stop?

Full system specs are:

AMD Ryzen 3200g (on stock cooler)

Palit GTX 1650 Dual

MSI a320m Gaming Pro

Seaggate Barracuda 1TB HDD 6 Gb/s 7200 RPM (ST1000DM010-2EP102) - Around 65% full

Western Digital WD Green WDS4802G0B 480 GB SSD M.2 2280 - Around 71% full

CX550M 80+ Bronze

Coolermaster Sickleflow 120 ARGB Case Fan (x1).

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I'm around 70% sure that the noise was coming from the PSU. This was the same problem I had with my older Cougar VTX power supply, and swapping it out solved the problem for a bit. It came back maybe a few months after, but I didn't worry about it because it rarely happened. I haven't stopped undervolting the CPU, but after plugging back in my power connectors and changing where my PSU is plugged from a wall socket to a 250v/2500w extension cord, the noise stopped.

I guess this is also a good time to note that when booting up the PC, there's also this other noise that sounds like it's "revving" in an electrical way, which also comes from the same place where the arcing/buzzing/electrical noise was coming from. This started long before any PSU problems, and happened when the PC was relatively new (around like maybe 5 months old?) after I opened it up for the first time to do a cmos reset. During that, one of my fingers brushed along the backside of my MOBO on some of the metal bits, and I suspect that might be the cause? This, I'm not entirely sure on.

By the way, thanks for the reply! I had a previous post regarding power surges and the reason for that was this very same sound. I didn't get to reply on that thread because I honestly forgot about it during a time where I was pretty busy and wasn't really paying attention to the sounds my PC was making.

 

[Skripted]

Update: After 5-6ish hours of use, the sound came back although a bit louder but less frequent. After digging around some other threads and forums, I decided to stop using the 3-to-2 prong adapter it had because I realized I could plug it in as is to my extension cord (pretty stupid of me that I didn't think of this sooner). I'll use it again after an hour or two and see if anything changes.

 

[Ralston18]

Using a 3-to-2 prong adapter is all too common but sometimes forced by circumstances. Should not be a long-term solution.

Likewise for power strips and discount bin "surge protectors. And low end extension cords.

Deciding to remove the adapter was a smart decision.

Three pronged devices/cables provide for proper grounding/earthing to protect people and devices.

FYI:

https://us-electric.com/whats-the-t...ird prong on,your devices from electric shock.

Do not know where you live (and not asking) but I do know that electrical systems vary a great deal throughout the world. As does the quality and connections used in any given building and within individual units within that building.

There could be other problems occurring - such as an electrical ground loop.

If the problem continues keep in mind that you may need a qualified electrician to check the electrical system.

Just in case.....

 

[Skripted]

Using a 3-to-2 prong adapter is all too common but sometimes forced by circumstances. Should not be a long-term solution.

Likewise for power strips and discount bin "surge protectors. And low end extension cords.

Deciding to remove the adapter was a smart decision.

Three pronged devices/cables provide for proper grounding/earthing to protect people and devices.

FYI:

https://us-electric.com/whats-the-third-prong-in-the-plug-for-heres-the-answer/#:~:text=The rounded third prong on,your devices from electric shock.

Do not know where you live (and not asking) but I do know that electrical systems vary a great deal throughout the world. As does the quality and connections used in any given building and within individual units within that building.

There could be other problems occurring - such as an electrical ground loop.

If the problem continues keep in mind that you may need a qualified electrician to check the electrical system.

Just in case.....

Noted, thanks! So far, the sounds hasn't really come back yet. Hoping it never does!