GTX 1080 Buzzing Under Load

[Senatov]

Hello,

Mysteriously today, what I believe to be my EVGA GTX 1080 Founder's Edition has begun buzzing under load. I hear a long, constant, buzzing when playing a game that stops as soon as I hit the Windows button and go to the home screen. As soon as I go back into the game, the constant buzz resumes. I opened the case and listened closely and the sound is either coming from my PSU or the 1080. I think it is the 1080 because a few days ago, I had to take the 1080 out to test another card. I then put the 1080 back in. I played games a few days ago and noticed no problems (this was after I put the 1080 back and did not open the case since.) All of a sudden today I am hearing this constant buzz. I have never had this problem before, only starting today.

UPDATE: I've noticed it happens in some games and not others. Also, I've listened to some examples of "coil whine" and it does not seem like that is it. Coil whine seems like it changes in pitch. This sound does not change in pitch and is a constant whine. I press the home button (close out of the game) and stops immediately.

Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[thor220]

It definitely sounds like coil whine. It doesn't need to change in pitch to be it either, coil whine is simply when the noise emitted by the electronical components is brought into the Hz range the human ear can perceive. You can ask for a replacement card if you don't like it.

 

[Senatov]

It definitely sounds like coil whine. It doesn't need to change in pitch to be it either, coil whine is simply when the noise emitted by the electronical components is brought into the Hz range the human ear can perceive. You can ask for a replacement card if you don't like it.

Would a replacement card fix it? It's one of those things that now that I think about it, it may or may not have always been this way, and I'm just noticing it today. I think the last card I had did the same thing and I never caught onto it. I feel like every GPU does it. With headphones on when I'm in the game, I can't even hear it. Heck, the Blu-ray drive makes more noise.

Years ago, I would return phones for having light bleed, and eventually it turned into a quasi-OCD thing.

Is it worth returning?

 

[iyzik]

Yeah that sounds like coil whine. My old crossfire 7970's used to do this reeeaaalll bad in some games and not at all in others. One did die after a couple years but I don't think it had anything to do with the coil whine and the other still runs strong.

 

[dudeman509]

Coil whine. What is your PSU?

 

[thor220]

It definitely sounds like coil whine. It doesn't need to change in pitch to be it either, coil whine is simply when the noise emitted by the electronical components is brought into the Hz range the human ear can perceive. You can ask for a replacement card if you don't like it.

Would a replacement card fix it? It's one of those things that now that I think about it, it may or may not have always been this way, and I'm just noticing it today. I think the last card I had did the same thing and I never caught onto it. I feel like every GPU does it. With headphones on when I'm in the game, I can't even hear it. Heck, the Blu-ray drive makes more noise.

Years ago, I would return phones for having light bleed, and eventually it turned into a quasi-OCD thing.

Is it worth returning?

I mean, if you are wearing headphones then it shouldn't be a problem. It doesn't affect performance and there are no adverse effects other than the noise.

By light bleed, you might backlight bleed correct? It's pretty hard to find a completely uniform computer screen unless you are dropping good money on a high end professional monitor for graphic artists. Probably more than 90% of mainstream screens have backlight bleed and heck even my dell ultrasharp has some on the edges.

 

[Senatov]

UPDATE: Just to try something, I opened up the PC and took out the GTX 1080. I let it sit on the table for a little bit, then put it back in very carefully and securely. Now the coil whine is gone.

 

[thor220]

That's a very odd fix. Can't say for sure if it'll be permanent though.

 

[Nik0n]

Sorry to resurrect an old post, but I got exactly the same problem with my GTX1080FE. Got it RMA'd, but new cards has the same noise (not sure if it quieter or not). Not sure if I should replace it again or just leave with it? Are they all like that? My previous GTX970 Evga was dead silent.