What could be causing this annoying sound (sound included)

[justMK]

Hello, I have an HP ENVY Phoenix 850-065se. Since day one it's been making this noise:

https://clyp.it/emgtgery

I recorded that sound with my phone, so it's the exact one, not something similar from the internet. You can hear the fan which is fine, but then that clicking/crackling sound is what's annoying. Yesterday I swapped the included Hard Drive with an SSD and removed the Hard Drive completely. It's booting up with the SSD, everything's fine on that front. I always thought the sound was the Hard Drive but apparently it's not that. I took the sliding tower cover off and turned it on and tried to see if I could just hear where that sound is coming from but I can't pinpoint it. Really surprised it's not the Hard Drive.

Here's some specs:
http://support.hp.com/my-en/document/c04741533#AbT1

Any ideas on what I should check next, and how to check it? Like, "disconnect this, boot up, is it still doing it?" kinda thing? Thanks for any help

 

[veldrane2]

possibly one of the cables being blown around by or touching a fan, or your chair creeking.

open your case, run with it open, get a flashlight, see if you can listed to localize it a bit and check with flashlight for any moving cables, wires, connectors.

alternately, it could be a dying but not dead yet fan. some bearing configs will make weird noises when on their way out.