Is the sound from my GPU normal?

[Mihai Ilie]

So...two days ago I just built my first computer. Don't get me wrong...I love it and it's an overall awesome experience...but I am not sure about the noise my gpu makes. I have a msi gtx 970 and while I am not sure if it is coil whine (because it's defenetely not that high pitched noise) I am not sure if it is normal. Let's say I start a game. For example assassassin's creed black flag (cuz here is where I first noticed it)..when I start the game I hear the gpu starting to make a noise. It is defenetely constant and doesn't change the frequency and first time I thought it was fan noise. It changes for example when I get from the menu to the game. It is not a big difference..I could say it's like the fans are moving slower and then faster. Also, I noticed that just after about 10-15 seconds the fans start to spin.

I can barely hear the noise...I can hear it if I stay close to the case with my ear. I can, indeed hear coil noise from this card (in the crysis 3 menu) when it is high pitched as the other examples I saw on the internet...but in other games I do not hear anything like that...I just hear this sound that I am concerned about...which initially I thought was fan noise.

Should I return the card or keep it? Is it okay to hear such a thing? Notice that I might also be overthinking things.

I am waiting for your answers...what do you think?

Best regards!

 

[unknownofprob]

on these cards, the fans only tend to start when the GPU reaches around 60 degrees C.

Is this just a high pitched sound that changes tone through different settings? If so that is coil whine and also normal for cards that have it. It does not effect the cards performance but only the experience of the user. If it is of major annoyance or would rather be replaced, RMA it for another.

Also, elaborate on "this noise". Is it clunking like something is knocking? If so, check that the fans are not obstructed by wires.

 

[Mihai Ilie]

I could't say it is high pitched. Imagine fans starting to spin...is the exact same sound...even thought it starts a little before the fans start to spin. It is a change in tone..but it's not high pitched. I can make a video of it in about an hour or so if you want.

The card has coil whine for example in crysis's 3 menu or during Windows Experience benchmark.

 

[unknownofprob]

understood. A video would clarify and pinpoint what you mean exactly.

 

[Mihai Ilie]

Okay..I hope you will be around then.

 

[Mihai Ilie]

Here you go: http://youtu.be/qnmWqsHuWU0

 

[unknownofprob]

was that hissing sound on when the fans were on?

 

[Mihai Ilie]

yes...kind of...I mean..that sound starts..and after that in about 10 seconds the fans start to spin. Here is another video from my perspective (more exactly from my seat) : http://youtu.be/SMJTaWg4pvo The sound is supposed to be noticed after the click.

 

[unknownofprob]

video's private, can't see it.

 

[Mihai Ilie]

Sorry, try again now

 

[Mihai Ilie]

Okay...so I also tried Chess Titans that comes with windows...and the wine is totally there. I will try to change the videocard with a new one. Probably from Asus...I hope that one will be better and I won't have such problems again.

 

[Mihai Ilie]

Okay...so..I just did something and I need some clarifications. I limited my frapes up to 150. The whine seems to be gone in crysis 3 menu and in Chess Titans. The question is: is there a side effect? Something that will make my pc work worse or something that is going to make my games work worse? I have a 60Hz Samsung Monitor so I do not think I will see any visual differences...or will I? I really need some answers guys!

 

[unknownofprob]

there is no side effect to whining, only noise. 60Hz won't take advantage of 150fps, anything 61fps+ will not be noticeable over 60Hz. Limiting the frames to 60 just means the GPU won't always be working 100% to get maximum FPS.