So I've been having a problem for a while now, where my computer will make a high-pitched squealing/whistling noise (not too loud, just loud enough to hear over the fans) whenever the frame rates reach 1500+ fps (usually during pre-rendered videos or lightweight benchmarks), and in some cases the computer will just power off with no blue screen or errors of any kind.
- The two instances where this consistently occurs is during the 3D video benchmarks of a software called PC-Matic, and the intro video of Crysis (when you start a new game) - the logo videos that play when Crysis first starts cause the noise but no crash.
- Interestingly, when the computer is under load I experience no noise and no crashes. I have run 8 threads of Prime95 and FurMark at extreme burn-in settings SIMULTANEOUSLY with no noises or crashes. Additionally, I have played through the complete single player campaigns of Crysis, Bad Company 2, and Fallout New Vegas since I noticed the issue and they never once caused the noise or a crash.
- Originally, I thought the issue was with my OCZ GameXstream 850W PSU, so I went through tech support, did an RMA and got a new unit...with the same problem. I had tested the old unit with a PSU tester which showed that the +3.3V line voltage was too high, but it showed the new unit as having no issues.
- I have an older system with leftover parts that has an AMD Athlon X2 3800+, Asus M2A-VM mATX mobo, 4GB DDR2-800, eVGA GTS 250, and a Cooler Master 650W PSU. I took the GTS 250 and put it in my main system and put my HD 5870 in the old system and ran the same programs that caused the crashes and sounds before. BOTH systems made the whistling noise but neither crashed.
- I have found no evidence of burst capacitors, no strange smells, no burn marks, and my system has been very stable otherwise.
That's all I have at the moment, I'm hoping that one of you will have a genius idea I haven't thought of. I had an old thread that I closed in the PSU section that you might find helpful: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/291413-28-tomshardware (wasn't sure where to put this thread since I don't know what's causing the issue). All info on my current system is my sig, and nothing has been overclocked since I wanted to solve this issue before I did any overclocking.
EDIT: For some reason, I can't see my signature, maybe you guys can but just in case, here are the components of my main system:
MSI Big Bang XPower
Intel Core i7 950 @ 3.06 GHz (stock clock)
3x2GB Patriot Sector7 DDR3-1600 (8-8-8-24)
XFX Radeon HD 5870 XXX Edition (also @ stock settings)
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium
OCZ GameXstream 850W PSU
main HDD is Seagate 1TB 7200RPM SATA
- The two instances where this consistently occurs is during the 3D video benchmarks of a software called PC-Matic, and the intro video of Crysis (when you start a new game) - the logo videos that play when Crysis first starts cause the noise but no crash.
- Interestingly, when the computer is under load I experience no noise and no crashes. I have run 8 threads of Prime95 and FurMark at extreme burn-in settings SIMULTANEOUSLY with no noises or crashes. Additionally, I have played through the complete single player campaigns of Crysis, Bad Company 2, and Fallout New Vegas since I noticed the issue and they never once caused the noise or a crash.
- Originally, I thought the issue was with my OCZ GameXstream 850W PSU, so I went through tech support, did an RMA and got a new unit...with the same problem. I had tested the old unit with a PSU tester which showed that the +3.3V line voltage was too high, but it showed the new unit as having no issues.
- I have an older system with leftover parts that has an AMD Athlon X2 3800+, Asus M2A-VM mATX mobo, 4GB DDR2-800, eVGA GTS 250, and a Cooler Master 650W PSU. I took the GTS 250 and put it in my main system and put my HD 5870 in the old system and ran the same programs that caused the crashes and sounds before. BOTH systems made the whistling noise but neither crashed.
- I have found no evidence of burst capacitors, no strange smells, no burn marks, and my system has been very stable otherwise.
That's all I have at the moment, I'm hoping that one of you will have a genius idea I haven't thought of. I had an old thread that I closed in the PSU section that you might find helpful: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/291413-28-tomshardware (wasn't sure where to put this thread since I don't know what's causing the issue). All info on my current system is my sig, and nothing has been overclocked since I wanted to solve this issue before I did any overclocking.
EDIT: For some reason, I can't see my signature, maybe you guys can but just in case, here are the components of my main system:
MSI Big Bang XPower
Intel Core i7 950 @ 3.06 GHz (stock clock)
3x2GB Patriot Sector7 DDR3-1600 (8-8-8-24)
XFX Radeon HD 5870 XXX Edition (also @ stock settings)
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium
OCZ GameXstream 850W PSU
main HDD is Seagate 1TB 7200RPM SATA