SanDisk SD8SBAT256G1122 SSD making coil whine-like sound when allocating disk space during installation?

[Grimmkyun5]

Hi guys, I know this is weird question. I've read up that SSDs dont have moving parts, therefore don't/shouldn't make noise. But I noticed I heard the all-too-familiar whining or read/write sound that an HDD would make when I attempted to install a game on steam or, rather, when allocating disk space to allow for such a thing. I only have ever heard this SSD of mine make noise during this particular action so far. I attempted to install into my HDD and it makes no such noise, except the normal head/write sound, and when I click to allocate it is VERY clearly coming from the drive bay when I put my ear up to the side of my computer. It is not my GPU, PSU, or Mobo, it's only there when I allocate to the SSD. And stops 100% immediately afterwards, no remnants or any kind of noise besides fans, HDD reading, and coil whine from my gpu if present.

Obviously since I only noticed at night with all other noises gone, it's not an issue in and of itself. However I'm paranoid about failing components, or components that could fail, so I'd like some opinions. I've read very wildly differing views on it all over, "It doesn't make noise at all it broken.." and "Oh, mine used to do it all the time. you good." So if you guys can help me out, I'd be very appreciative for any help at all. Thanks!!

I figured asking you guys

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Hey there, Grimmkyun5.

Well, to say the least, this is unusual behaviour. You're quite right about SSDs not making any noises. It would basically be almost the same as if you'd say that your flash drive is making noises while you're using it. I'm not sure if this whining noise is really coming from the SSD - it could be the HDD or a Fan (perhaps CPU fan, or a case fan, or another one). However, you sound pretty sure that it's the SSD, so if this is the case, backup any important data which you might have written on it (just to be on the safe side) and download an SSD diagnostic tool to test the drive for errors.
You should also check for available firmware updates for that SSD model. Give it a go with a different SATA port and different cables (data and power), or even better - with a different computer.

You might also want to get in touch with the manufacturer's customer support, to see what the guys there can say about this.

Hope that helps. Please keep me updated.
Boogieman_WD

 

[Grimmkyun5]

Hey there, Grimmkyun5.

Well, to say the least, this is unusual behaviour. You're quite right about SSDs not making any noises. It would basically be almost the same as if you'd say that your flash drive is making noises while you're using it. I'm not sure if this whining noise is really coming from the SSD - it could be the HDD or a Fan (perhaps CPU fan, or a case fan, or another one). However, you sound pretty sure that it's the SSD, so if this is the case, backup any important data which you might have written on it (just to be on the safe side) and download an SSD diagnostic tool to test the drive for errors.
You should also check for available firmware updates for that SSD model. Give it a go with a different SATA port and different cables (data and power), or even better - with a different computer.

You might also want to get in touch with the manufacturer's customer support, to see what the guys there can say about this.

Hope that helps. Please keep me updated.
Boogieman_WD

The reason I'm so sure it's the SSD is because this sound is only present whenever I'm loading or preparing space for a download/installation. I do the same thing, but install to my hard drive, to complete quiet besides the normal read/write sounds from the HDD. I can't get a hold of SanDisk, as they're out for the weekend sadly and there doesn't seem to be any form of manufacturer diagnostic tool to check so I'm left with forums for the moment, haha. I do have CrystalDiskInfo/HDDTune which show the SSD as operating normally within parameters.

Could this just be nothing to worry about? Maybe it's actually my mobo? I'm not sure, honestly. This is just very strange.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

It really does sound strange. I can't say for sure if there's nothing to worry about, but at least the SSD shows no problems when scanned with a diagnostic tool. Give it a go with the different SATA ports and cables option, to see if that changes anything.

Furthermore you could take a look at this article with SSD tips regarding the performance and life expectancy: https://www.maketecheasier.com/12-things-you-must-do-when-running-a-solid-state-drive-in-windows-7/ (even if it says Win 7, those suggestions are still viable for the newer versions as well).

Other than that you could try running a stress test for your system, to see if any red lights pop-up for your other components, since you've mentioned that it could be something else.

Please let me know how everything goes.

 

[Grimmkyun5]

Are there any stress tests you recommend for testing this out?

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Unfortunately, as an official Western Digital rep, I can't really recommend any products/devices that are not under the WD brand. However, I've found some threads, which have a few suggestions for you to try: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3085001/stress-test-cpu-gpu-ram.html & http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2938265/stress-test-software-cpu-gpu-ram-windows.html.

Another option would be to search for a "computer stress test" and check some of the results for other recommended tools.

 

[Grimmkyun5]

Unfortunately, as an official Western Digital rep, I can't really recommend any products/devices that are not under the WD brand. However, I've found some threads, which have a few suggestions for you to try: http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-3085001/stress-test-cpu-gpu-ram.html & http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/id-2938265/stress-test-software-cpu-gpu-ram-windows.html.

Another option would be to search for a "computer stress test" and check some of the results for other recommended tools.

All diagnostics have come up perfect, and when running stress tests I get absolutely no sound like what I get during that allocation. I mean, I've had no performance issues whatsoever in the 4 months I've owned this SSD. Am I safe to assume it should be okay, truly?

 

[Boogieman_WD]

Well, having in mind everything seems to be working perfectly fine and all the tests came back without an issue, it's probably OK. However, just to be on the safe side, if I were you, I'd contact the SSD manufacturer's customer support for more info and/or reassurance. It's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Grimmkyun5]

I did notice that my HDD is set to RAID. I don't get noises like this when I allocate just on HDD, but what is the chances that my SSD is making the HDD activate and have it make that noise- is that even possible? Or that it could be coil whine from another component. Even though I'm idle when I notice this, not playing anything.

 

[Boogieman_WD]

That setting should not make the SSD or the HDD behave this way. What is weird, is that everything seems to be OK according to the tests, but this unusual behaviour still persists. Probably the best way to go here would be to try each individual drive with a different computer, to see if that noise/sound is still present, or at least try different cables/ports, hoping that it turns out to be a faulty cable causing one of the drives to act up like this.