PC crackling sound/boiling water noise?

lolzchicken

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Apr 18, 2015
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Recently upgraded to a Sapphire R9 390, since installing it I've heard what sounds like water running/boiling? sometimes followed by gurgling. since hearing it, I went and cleaned the PC out (ie dust removal) but to no anvil. I've wondered if it may be my issues with my PSU or the card/my fans are faulty. Currently I am using a AzzA ALPHA 700W (12V, 50A, 600W on the box outline) thinking I may need a better and stronger PSU.

If so I'd probably look to get an GOLD or PLAT EVGA SuperNOVA.

Please note I am around 60% deaf in both ears and I normally don't wear my hearing aids when I use my PC, so could it just be me unaware of the cards sounds?

I've added 2 recordings of the noises below

http://vocaroo.com/i/s0EGruFxJFFG http://vocaroo.com/i/s0IwKPE8NHc9

Build?
http://ca.pcpartpicker.com/p/D9gywP
 
First off, it doesn't sound normal (at least to me), so it's unlikely to be just you being more aware of sounds etc.

It really does sound like water running.....which from looking at your build, there shouldn't be any. You don't have a liquid cooler on your CPU, do you?

As far as you know, these sounds only started after installing the 390? What GPU did you have in there before?

I can't identify where the noise is coming from, but it's quite likely PSU related. Adding a card that can potentially pull up to 275W at max load, on an older, potentially questionable PSU can have some bad results.

As far as replacing your PSU, you don't have to worry about Gold or Platinum necessarily - they make extremely minute differences in utility bills, yet cost more from the outset. Bronze is fine. You want Tier 1 or Tier 2 from here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-2547993/psu-tier-list.html

I see you're in Canada (me too! Calgary), which means quality PSUs do get really expensive.
The best PSU for a decent price that I've found, after factoring in rebates is the EVGA SuperNOVA B2 750W.
$79.99 after rebate https://ca.pcpartpicker.com/part/evga-power-supply-110b20750vr
 


I previously used two HD 7750x2 and this is my first major higher end gpu

Yes I have liquid cooling, however I don't think I've ever heard it like that before and it's more like boiling and gurgling as of today with less crackle (maybe it's dying??), but then again I am NOT used to hearing these sounds. I've also started to hear chirping from my PC so I am beginning to think it's a fan, yet this was never apparent before the 390.
 
Ok, liquid cooling makes it a bit different then - if it sounds like water/liquid.....it probably is. Between the sound of water & what I assume is the pump for the liquid cooler I can hear in the audio track, I think that's the likely culprit.

Liquid cooling is usually more audible on startup....... does that sound appear when the rig boots, and go away over time? Or is it fairly permanent? If it goes away, it's probably normal. If it's constant, then there's something not quite right there.

What liquid cooler do you use, out of curiousity?

Did the dual 7750's create a substantial amount of fan noise? It's entirely possible that nothings actually changed, yet the 390 is running quieter than the 7750's and as a result, you can now hear the 'noise' of the liquid cooler.

Dual 7750's could pull around 110-120W maximum, at 100% load, so you've definitely added some extra strain to your PSU with the 390............replacing that PSU would be a good decision, whether the PSU is at fault or not!
 
yesterday, the cracking did not go away over a span 2-3 hours, today it seems to have disipated. I can't believe i forgot I had liquid cooling, brain fart..

I'll have to reboot my PC I can't for the life of me remember, be back momentarily

Secondly, I am unsure of the sounds before, but I do think it was less noisy. I also do not remember a chirping noise like I am hearing now.

Thirdly, should I shell the extra $30-40 for tier 1 or go for a tier 2 and same some money, maybe buy new ram or something later?
 


yesterday, the cracking did not go away over a span 2-3 hours, today it seems to have disipated. I can't believe i forgot I had liquid cooling, brain fart..

I'll have to reboot my PC I can't for the life of me remember, be back momentarily. Can't find name inside pc, and have no idea where boxes are, gunna see if I can google it. I believe i bought it back in 2011/2012 and probably wasn't high end either. Edit - From the looks of it, it's an old intel based off the bue fan and 4 red colored screws inside.

Secondly, I am unsure of the sounds before, but I do think it was less noisy. I also do not remember a chirping noise like I am hearing now.

Thirdly, should I shell the extra $30-40 for tier 1 or go for a tier 2 and same some money, maybe buy new ram or something later?
 


Well after more testing I think I finally concluded it's the PSU, the water noise seems to have dissipated or is no where near as loud as before since I took out my water cooler and fans and cleaned them off. I've also took the card out 2 more times and booted without it 3 times, and noticed the beeping noise is still there where as the others are not. Finally it seems whenever I press middleclick it beeps. Thanks for your help while I attempted to solve my problem!

TIME TO BUY A NEW PSU AND WASTE MORE MONEY