Power supply clicking noise - only on start up, only after long time switched off

[RobertSmith]

Basically, my PSU (which for the record is a very cheap, 500W no-brand that came with my PC), upon start up makes an irregular clicking noise on startup, which starts almost immediately after the power button is pressed. This clicking noise continues for a minute or so and then stops. The computer loads up as usual and the clicking usually stops after I've been logged in for a few seconds. If I turn my computer off, and then 5-10 minutes later, turn it back on, the clicking doesn't happen. However, if I turn it off overnight, it'll click the next day. I'm not sure what is going on here, and when answering, please keep in mind that I know next to nothing about power supplies so cannot carry out any tests or anything. I have a new one coming in the mail but I just want this to last me another few days without taking any other components down with it.

Thank you very much

 

[makkem]

Hi
From what you have said I suspect that it is nothing more than the thermal expansion of the metalwork of your power supply.

 

[RobertSmith]

See I thought that as it can easily be linked to heat, but I thought to ask as it's not wise to take the chance when it's something that could destroy components.

 

[makkem]

If you have had the PSU a while then I think if there was going to be a problem then it would already have happened.

 

[RobertSmith]

That's when it gets tricky - I've only had it for a month. But I've used it for 10+ hours a day for all of those days except maybe 2.

 

[lonewolf7]

This is the problem with non branded PSU's. It could die soon so giving you kind of warning, or nothing serious has happened, except the fan is making noise.

Try SPEEDFAN or HARDWARE MONITOR to monitor the voltage of PSU, if it fluctuates then there is a chance of failure soon, otherwise it could last some more days.

 

[makkem]

Have a look in your bios and see what the voltages are like but as you have not had any stability problems there does not appear to be any evidence that the noise is from the electronics.
With it being a cheap supply one of the ways they reduce costs is on the case metalwork and the component mounts and it is likely that thermal expansion is moving metal on metal like water pipes ticking when they expand and contract.