Loud Buzzing Noise while playing game

[Codelyoko373]

I was playing league of legends not that long ago and for the first time, my computer started making this strange buzzing noise. It only happened for about a minute and then didn't happen again. I haven't tested to see if it happens with any other games and so far it doesn't seem to happen when I'm not playing a game.

I checked my temps including GPU and CPU temps while the noise was going on and the temps were normal, CPU being about 62C and GPU about 50-55C. (I was playing a game)

Does anyone have any idea what could be the cause of this noise? It doesn't seem to be anything bad as like I said, it only happens for about a minute but it's never happened before until now.

 

[the nerd 389]

What parts are in the computer?

Also, what other games do you play?

 

[Codelyoko373]

What parts are in the computer?

Also, what other games do you play?

CPU: AMD Radeon A8-6600k
GPU: Geforce GT 730 2GB DDR5
Power Supply: Seasonic S12-II 520W 80+
RAM: 8GB DDR3
Hard Drive: Western Digital WD Green WD20EZRX 2TB

And too many to count, haha

 

[the nerd 389]

Regarding the other games, I'm trying to get a feel for how taxing they are compared to LoL.

Also, did you mean that the buzzing occurred for the first time, you were playing LoL for the first time, or both?

Also, do you know what brand/model the GT730 is?

 

[Codelyoko373]

Regarding the other games, I'm trying to get a feel for how taxing they are compared to LoL.

Also, did you mean that the buzzing occurred for the first time, you were playing LoL for the first time, or both?

Also, do you know what brand/model the GT730 is?

Well I play games like Rainbow Six Siege, Starcraft 2, For Honor, Hitman.

And also I meant this is the first time the buzzing has happened. I've been playing League of legends for many years now and this buzzing sound has never happened before, with any game.

Also this is the exact GPU I brought: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00Q46V738/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Grugbug]

Could be coil whine. Do you have a spare PSU for testing? I had coil whine on my R9 390X and a new PSU solved it. I have also read where others have resolved coil whine issues by changing out the PSU.

 

[Codelyoko373]

Could be coil whine. Do you have a spare PSU for testing? I had coil whine on my R9 390X and a new PSU solved it. I have also read where others have resolved coil whine issues by changing out the PSU.

But isn't coil whine meant to be constant?. This noise only happens for around a minute and then stops

 

[the nerd 389]

Coil whine is unlikely. It's not usually something people describe as a "buzz". It's more commonly called a "screech" or "whine".

"Buzz" is the word most likely to be from a bad bearing. That said, the GPU isn't running hot enough to really get the fan spinning.

When a bearing starts to go, it makes an intermittent buzzing or rattling sound that becomes more common as the problem worsens. See if you can cause it by running a GPU stress test. If that doesn't trigger it, try Prime 95. When it starts, open the case and try to figure out what area of the computer it's coming from.

If neither of those cause it to buzz, check to make sure there are no wires near a fan.

 

[Grugbug]

Could be coil whine. Do you have a spare PSU for testing? I had coil whine on my R9 390X and a new PSU solved it. I have also read where others have resolved coil whine issues by changing out the PSU.

But isn't coil whine meant to be constant?. This noise only happens for around a minute and then stops

Coil whine can come and go. The GPU and your system may be pulling hard on the PSU for a few moments as a scene is rendered/ displayed.
Different scenes will tax the system differently.

I only had coil whine on my 390x during certain heavy spots in games/ benchmarks. The whine wasn't constant even when doing the same things again.
I don't know the temperature where you live but warmer weather will put more stress on your components.


As said above this post, could be a bearing or some wires hitting the fan. Hearing the noise would help. Good luck, hopefully it'll be a simple wire hitting a fan.

 

[Codelyoko373]

Could be coil whine. Do you have a spare PSU for testing? I had coil whine on my R9 390X and a new PSU solved it. I have also read where others have resolved coil whine issues by changing out the PSU.

But isn't coil whine meant to be constant?. This noise only happens for around a minute and then stops

Coil whine can come and go. The GPU and your system may be pulling hard on the PSU for a few moments as a scene is rendered/ displayed.
Different scenes will tax the system differently.

I only had coil whine on my 390x during certain heavy spots in games/ benchmarks. The whine wasn't constant even when doing the same things again.
I don't know the temperature where you live but warmer weather will put more stress on your components.


As said above this post, could be a bearing or some wires hitting the fan. Hearing the noise would help. Good luck, hopefully it'll be a simple wire hitting a fan.

I'm pretty sure the bearings on my GPU fan have become slightly loose. I made a topic not that long ago asking about a slight buzzing/humming sound coming from my computer though the buzzing sound I'm talking about in this topic was much louder, about the same volume as most disk drives make when they're reading a disk

 

[the nerd 389]

That definitely sounds like a bearing progressively failing. I guess it's time to get a new GPU.

 

[Codelyoko373]

That definitely sounds like a bearing progressively failing. I guess it's time to get a new GPU.

I only just got it XD. Thing is, is it a massive problem because I've played a couple of games since I started this topic and I haven't noticed the buzzing sound I've been mentioning. The GPU also doesn't seem to be overheating.

 

[raspberrypiguy]

I was playing league of legends not that long ago and for the first time, my computer started making this strange buzzing noise. It only happened for about a minute and then didn't happen again. I haven't tested to see if it happens with any other games and so far it doesn't seem to happen when I'm not playing a game.

I checked my temps including GPU and CPU temps while the noise was going on and the temps were normal, CPU being about 62C and GPU about 50-55C. (I was playing a game)

Does anyone have any idea what could be the cause of this noise? It doesn't seem to be anything bad as like I said, it only happens for about a minute but it's never happened before until now.

It could be your PSU unit. The only real way to solve this is to find someone who has a PSU tester. It is a little brick that is plugged into the various power cables. If the voltages are not in spec (tester beeping and voltage inconsistencys) get a new PSU. Your PSU could just be starting to wear out after running at full load. If this starts to happen more (more buzzing and noises) you might have a sickly PSU. What brand is it, as cheaper brands generally don't have as good quality? A bigger PSU might help as it could provide more power at peak load. Hope that helps. It could also be any of the fan bearings going out. If the case is dusty clean it out as dust can impede the fans. (Yes I did type this on a raspberry pi 3)

 

[Codelyoko373]

I was playing league of legends not that long ago and for the first time, my computer started making this strange buzzing noise. It only happened for about a minute and then didn't happen again. I haven't tested to see if it happens with any other games and so far it doesn't seem to happen when I'm not playing a game.

I checked my temps including GPU and CPU temps while the noise was going on and the temps were normal, CPU being about 62C and GPU about 50-55C. (I was playing a game)

EDIT: I also just played another game of League of legends and the buzzing didn't happen

Does anyone have any idea what could be the cause of this noise? It doesn't seem to be anything bad as like I said, it only happens for about a minute but it's never happened before until now.

It could be your PSU unit. The only real way to solve this is to find someone who has a PSU tester. It is a little brick that is plugged into the various power cables. If the voltages are not in spec (tester beeping and voltage inconsistencys) get a new PSU. Your PSU could just be starting to wear out after running at full load. If this starts to happen more (more buzzing and noises) you might have a sickly PSU. What brand is it, as cheaper brands generally don't have as good quality? A bigger PSU might help as it could provide more power at peak load. Hope that helps. It could also be any of the fan bearings going out. If the case is dusty clean it out as dust can impede the fans. (Yes I did type this on a raspberry pi 3)

I may be cause of dust on my GPU fan is that is a possible cause as last time I cleaned out, I forgot to clean the GPU fan of dust. I also did just play Rainbow Six Siege for about the same length of time as a league of legends game and I didn't hear the buzzing once.

I also doubt it's my PSU, I didn't get it that long ago and it's never caused any issues before

 

[the nerd 389]

When bearings start failing, they don't rattle/buzz often. As the damage progresses, they will make that sound more frequently. You're probably fine waiting until it gets worse.

Just be aware that once it starts to go, there's a chance that it will suddenly lock up.

 

[Codelyoko373]

When bearings start failing, they don't rattle/buzz often. As the damage progresses, they will make that sound more frequently. You're probably fine waiting until it gets worse.

Just be aware that once it starts to go, there's a chance that it will suddenly lock up.

Lock up? and how long do you think I have left?

EDIT: If my GPU does fail then will my computer simply start using my integrated graphics card?

 

[Codelyoko373]

When bearings start failing, they don't rattle/buzz often. As the damage progresses, they will make that sound more frequently. You're probably fine waiting until it gets worse.

Just be aware that once it starts to go, there's a chance that it will suddenly lock up.

So far the buzzing noise hasn't happened again. I even played League of legends for way longer then I did yesterday and I didn't hear the noise once. Do you think it's possible that it was possibly the computer processing something... like maybe the hard drive made the noise as I'm not actually sure what component made the buzzing sound.

 

[the nerd 389]

When bearings start failing, they don't rattle/buzz often. As the damage progresses, they will make that sound more frequently. You're probably fine waiting until it gets worse.

Just be aware that once it starts to go, there's a chance that it will suddenly lock up.

So far the buzzing noise hasn't happened again. I even played League of legends for way longer then I did yesterday and I didn't hear the noise once. Do you think it's possible that it was possibly the computer processing something... like maybe the hard drive made the noise as I'm not actually sure what component made the buzzing sound.

When I say suddenly, I also mean with no warning signs. And randomly. There's no way to tell if or when it could happen with any certainty.

If you aren't sure where it's coming from, take the side of the case off and go through the usual culprits one at a time.

Start with a hard drive test by copying lots of small files from one directory to another. Do not cut/paste. Copy/paste. If that's not the sound you're describing, move on.

Next up is the CD drive if you have one. Put a disk in, and open it in Windows to look through the contents. If that's the not the sound, move on.

Next is the CPU cooler. Fire up Prime 95 to get it spinning. If that's not the sound, move on.

Next is the GPU. Fire up Furmark or a different GPU stress test of your choice to get it spinning. If that's not the sound, there's really only one part left.

To load up the PSU, fire up the GPU stress test and Prime 95 (set P95 to one fewer threads than it defaults to). That will eventually cause the PSU fan to spin up. Look and listen for it. If that's not the sound, it could have been a fly getting caught in a fan. Look around for a dead bug.

 

[Codelyoko373]

When bearings start failing, they don't rattle/buzz often. As the damage progresses, they will make that sound more frequently. You're probably fine waiting until it gets worse.

Just be aware that once it starts to go, there's a chance that it will suddenly lock up.

So far the buzzing noise hasn't happened again. I even played League of legends for way longer then I did yesterday and I didn't hear the noise once. Do you think it's possible that it was possibly the computer processing something... like maybe the hard drive made the noise as I'm not actually sure what component made the buzzing sound.

When I say suddenly, I also mean with no warning signs. And randomly. There's no way to tell if or when it could happen with any certainty.

If you aren't sure where it's coming from, take the side of the case off and go through the usual culprits one at a time.

Start with a hard drive test by copying lots of small files from one directory to another. Do not cut/paste. Copy/paste. If that's not the sound you're describing, move on.

Next up is the CD drive if you have one. Put a disk in, and open it in Windows to look through the contents. If that's the not the sound, move on.

Next is the CPU cooler. Fire up Prime 95 to get it spinning. If that's not the sound, move on.

Next is the GPU. Fire up Furmark or a different GPU stress test of your choice to get it spinning. If that's not the sound, there's really only one part left.

To load up the PSU, fire up the GPU stress test and Prime 95 (set P95 to one fewer threads than it defaults to). That will eventually cause the PSU fan to spin up. Look and listen for it. If that's not the sound, it could have been a fly getting caught in a fan. Look around for a dead bug.

I'll make sure to do that tomorrow. Also, if my GPU does lock up, will my computer automatically switch to using my integrated graphics card possibly? since the A8-6600K CPU comes with integrated graphics

 

[the nerd 389]

No, it will probably overheat the GPU and destroy it. Once that happens, it will probably crash the computer. Once that happens, you'll have to remove the card and move the display cable over to the motherboard connections to use integrated graphics.

 

[Codelyoko373]

No, it will probably overheat the GPU and destroy it. Once that happens, it will probably crash the computer. Once that happens, you'll have to remove the card and move the display cable over to the motherboard connections to use integrated graphics.

Ahh, wonderful. I guess it's kinda good that I can easily switch back to my integrated graphics as a backup.

Also I think it's important to point out, my GPU fan is on 100% constantly. It's a GT 730 so it's not a "modern" graphics card and so it's fan is just a simple basic one. Surely if it was the GPU fan making the noise then I would hear it more often then I have been due to the fan running at 100% all the time... right?

 

[the nerd 389]

The specific condition is known as oil whirl, or simply whirl. It's what happens when there's not enough oil at a point on the bearing, and the shaft basically grabs the journal and throws it around the shaft like a hula-hoop. If the oil film is replenished, which can occur as a result of the shaking (or kicking the computer), the grip loosens and the shaft can recenter, and the whirling ceases. As oil escapes, or the journal wears down, the whirling will occur with increasing frequency.

Whirling is most likely to occur shortly after the fan starts turning, as the oil will settle when the fan is off.

Whirling can sometimes be forced if the bearing is violently shaken or gets hit by something. If the whirling is induced in this manner, it's not necessarily a sign of the bearing failing.

 

[Karadjgne]

Whirling can also be induced when a chunk of dust finally breaks loose, either from the fan blade or onto a fan blade and throws off the pitch of the blade temporarily, making it wobble like a ceiling fan. Then the fan changes speeds, dust comes off and all goes back to normal, making you nuts chasing ghosts that no longer exist.

 

[Codelyoko373]

The specific condition is known as oil whirl, or simply whirl. It's what happens when there's not enough oil at a point on the bearing, and the shaft basically grabs the journal and throws it around the shaft like a hula-hoop. If the oil film is replenished, which can occur as a result of the shaking (or kicking the computer), the grip loosens and the shaft can recenter, and the whirling ceases. As oil escapes, or the journal wears down, the whirling will occur with increasing frequency.

Whirling is most likely to occur shortly after the fan starts turning, as the oil will settle when the fan is off.

Whirling can sometimes be forced if the bearing is violently shaken or gets hit by something. If the whirling is induced in this manner, it's not necessarily a sign of the bearing failing.

So I shouldn't be that worried? (As currently I'm quite worried about the whole situation even though basically nothing has happened)

 

[the nerd 389]

The specific condition is known as oil whirl, or simply whirl. It's what happens when there's not enough oil at a point on the bearing, and the shaft basically grabs the journal and throws it around the shaft like a hula-hoop. If the oil film is replenished, which can occur as a result of the shaking (or kicking the computer), the grip loosens and the shaft can recenter, and the whirling ceases. As oil escapes, or the journal wears down, the whirling will occur with increasing frequency.

Whirling is most likely to occur shortly after the fan starts turning, as the oil will settle when the fan is off.

Whirling can sometimes be forced if the bearing is violently shaken or gets hit by something. If the whirling is induced in this manner, it's not necessarily a sign of the bearing failing.

So I shouldn't be that worried? (As currently I'm quite worried about the whole situation even though basically nothing has happened)

About two years ago, the fan on my CPU cooler started whirling. I ordered a pair of SP120s to replace the fan and so I would have a spare. After learning just how awful the screeching that those fans make really is, I put the old fan back on. It lasted about 18 months longer with an occasional kick. I decided to replace it when it took two kicks to stop the whirling.

You're probably fine.