Question Loud noise from the power supply, help!

[danipoz]

My power supply is the Seasonic Focus GX 850W. I bought it in november 2024, the entire system too as new. I launched God of War and after a minute i hear this sound, i opened all the panels and stopped every single fan with my finger and the sound still kept going. I turned off the pc and put it on my desk, then i launched furmark and increased the power limit of my gpu so the psu gets under load. Previously was +6% ( had oc'ed the gpu before) now it was +15%. It ran about 5 minutes and i couldnt hear anything so i was like could it be no noise because the entire case is on its side instead of upright, and when i tried to pick it up suddenly the sound started again but im not sure if its because i tried ot pick it up. This psu has a hybrid mode and when i turn it off so the fan keeps spinning all the time the fan spins normally. Also the sound stopped when i turned hybrid mode on and the fan stopped spinning but the system was still under load. What could this be? IS the psu doomed? not even a year old...
EDIT:, forgot the link
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G5-iJTtqCXjribrUDyvm1G_Jru93oe_6/view?usp=drive_link
UPDATE: This happens when its not under load too. I turn off the hybrid mode so the fan spins fast no noise, when i pick up the case the noise starts and the fan still spins but much slower for some reason.

 

[danipoz]

Sorry!!! I didnt give access to the file so you couldn't open it, its fixed now.
Also i can recreate this sound by banging on the case( im actually hitting the case not the actual psu here).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mx5rPRpVMIJ80RRLVLEjyRtZHqMtdmkE/view?usp=drive_link

 

[Eximo]

I would say the fan is hitting something. Now the way fans tend to start up they aren't exactly where they are when running, they 'lift off' or settle into the bearing where spinning is easiest.

Either something got in the bearing and is making the noise, or you have something that is close to the blade inside the PSU that has intermittent contact. Either way, the best solution would be to reach out to Seasonic, you are well within even their shortest warranty.

 

[ex_bubblehead]

That loud sound is most definitely mechanical in nature. Sounds exactly like a fan bearing has failed and the fan needs to be replaced.

 

[COLGeek]

That loud sound is most definitely mechanical in nature. Sounds exactly like a fan bearing has failed and the fan needs to be replaced.

I agree. For the OP, you should not attempt to open the PSU and make that change. Doing so voids the warranty and it is dangerous to muck around in the innards of power supplies.

Work the RMA process with Seasonic.

Just in case: @seasonic rep

 

[danipoz]

That loud sound is most definitely mechanical in nature. Sounds exactly like a fan bearing has failed and the fan needs to be replaced.

But why does it spin normally without any noise most of the time if its a bearing?

 

[COLGeek]

By spinning faster, it puts a different load on the bearing.

 

[danipoz]

I agree. For the OP, you should not attempt to open the PSU and make that change. Doing so voids the warranty and it is dangerous to muck around in the innards of power supplies.

Work the RMA process with Seasonic.

Just in case: @seasonic rep

This started happening randomly under load too when the fan is spinning all the time instead of the hybrid mode. Since i live in a country where everything is expensive i bought my PC from a reseller who buys cheaper components from another country in Europe and imports it here( or smuggles) either way i contacted that person and they said no problem but i will have to wait until Friday when he comes back from holiday. Can i damage something if that sound keeps happening? I mean i played black ops for 2 hours now almost and no noise was heard.

 

[danipoz]

By spinning faster, it puts a different load on the bearing.

When the noise is happening it seems like the fan is spinning slower?

 

[COLGeek]

This started happening randomly under load too when the fan is spinning all the time instead of the hybrid mode. Since i live in a country where everything is expensive i bought my PC from a reseller who buys cheaper components from another country in Europe and imports it here( or smuggles) either way i contacted that person and they said no problem but i will have to wait until Friday when he comes back from holiday. Can i damage something if that sound keeps happening? I mean i played black ops for 2 hours now almost and no noise was heard.

It will work until it doesn't. No one here can predict when (if) it will fail.

 

[COLGeek]

When the noise is happening it seems like the fan is spinning slower?

That too can change the positioning of the fan.

 

[danipoz]

It will work until it doesn't. No one here can predict when (if) it will fail.

What happens if the fan fails? PSU overheats and the pc shuts down? I just dont want to damage my other expensive components

 

[COLGeek]

The Seasonic should protect the rest of your system from harm should it fail. Still, you need to replace/exchange it sooner rather than later.

 

[NightHawkRMX]

In addition to what others have said, I want to point out another problem with operating the PSU with fan issues: As the load/temperature changes during normal use, the PSU will command the fan to spin at a certain speed to generate a certain preprogrammed amount of airflow. However, if the bearings are failing the fan will have more resistance to motion, spin slower than expected, and lead to a raised abnormal internal temperature in the PSU. Higher temp = lower component lifespan.

Thankfully this model has a pretty robust set of protections, and it will shut off eventually if it overheats or detects any other failure, but I would not use the PSU like this for longer than absolutely needed.

Focus GX units have long warranty durations. Seasonic has a good reputation for good warranty support. Check with Seasonic to see what your options are.

NEVER open a power supply unit to try and troubleshoot/repair anything unless you are experienced. You run the risk of electrocution, and may make it more difficult to get warranty support if you tamper with things.