Occasional PSU Buzzing

[Kerfindo]

Once maybe every 2 days or so my PSU emits a very faint buzzing noise for about 20 minutes or so. It will buzz for a few minutes, stop for a few seconds then buzz again. The PSU is about a year old and I just started noticing this. It doesn't matter how much load my computer is going through. Is this just Coil Whine or should I be more alarmed at this?

The model is a 550w Antec Platinum

Edit: Its worth noting my brother's PSU makes a similar sound to this, so is it just common?

 

[basroil]

It's possible that your house has bad wiring, and should be properly tested. If you have a digital voltage meter with millisecond logging, you might be able to see the issue right there in the voltage readings.

 

[Lawrence Taylor]

Bro you need to send that PSU back for them to repair or w.e they do, or buy a new one. Your coils inside your PSU is the culprit to making them noises. Sound like your PSU is defective.

 

[basroil]

Bro you need to send that PSU back for them to repair or w.e they do, or buy a new one. Your coils inside your PSU is the culprit to making them noises. Sound like your PSU is defective.

Not always true, especially if two different models are having the same issue. I had an old 850W PSU that started making noise when I moved to Japan, and it turns out it wasn't broken at all, rather that the voltage stability of my building was horrible and, since the japanese voltage was already on the low end of the PSU specifications, the PSU just didn't like that. Getting a different models can remove electrical noise, but it just hides the actual problem.

Kerfindo, you're going to have to give more information before any real answers can be given.

 

[Kerfindo]

Bro you need to send that PSU back for them to repair or w.e they do, or buy a new one. Your coils inside your PSU is the culprit to making them noises. Sound like your PSU is defective.

Not always true, especially if two different models are having the same issue. I had an old 850W PSU that started making noise when I moved to Japan, and it turns out it wasn't broken at all, rather that the voltage stability of my building was horrible and, since the japanese voltage was already on the low end of the PSU specifications, the PSU just didn't like that. Getting a different models can remove electrical noise, but it just hides the actual problem.

Kerfindo, you're going to have to give more information before any real answers can be given.

Thanks for all the responses, but I'm not really sure what more information I could give. I don't own any electrical device to test the outlet current. The best I could do is maybe try a different outlet and see if anything changes. I know for sure its definitely electrical buzzing and not vibration, and its hard to imitate as it happens randomly. Aside from the noise, its not sparking or anything like that or I would immediately RMA it without question. I am aware though that a lot of PSU noises can be relatively harmless and I am familiar with coil whine. My older PC had a PSU that had occasional coil whine and it lasted a good 5 years. Although the sound that this PSU is making is a bit more quieter than coil whine and is unaffected by load. I honestly probably wouldn't have even noticed it if I didn't have the panel off on my case.

 

[basroil]

Thanks for all the responses, but I'm not really sure what more information I could give. I don't own any electrical device to test the outlet current. The best I could do is maybe try a different outlet and see if anything changes. I know for sure its definitely electrical buzzing and not vibration, and its hard to imitate as it happens randomly. Aside from the noise, its not sparking or anything like that or I would immediately RMA it without question. I am aware though that a lot of PSU noises can be relatively harmless and I am familiar with coil whine. My older PC had a PSU that had occasional coil whine and it lasted a good 5 years. Although the sound that this PSU is making is a bit more quieter than coil whine and is unaffected by load. I honestly probably wouldn't have even noticed it if I didn't have the panel off on my case.

So this has happened before? Definitely sounds like outlet issues.

Do your lights flicker at all, especially if you use a dimmer? If so, definitely wiring issue that should be looked at.

Also, a UPS system might be able to help, especially line isolation systems.