annoying high-pitch noise coming from pc?

[edm]

I've been running the case, ram, etc., for a few weeks now, using an old ECS board and xp 2400+, without this problem. however, I recently installed a new motherboard and cpu. a MSI k8N neo2 and a64 3500 Venice.

Now I'm getting a subtle, yet very annoying high-pitch frequency noise from the computer, almost constantly. It's kind of like the sound you'll ocasionally hear from an old tv set. I assume it's either the motherboard or cpu/cpu fan, since it didn't start until after I installed them. It also seems to get worse during gaming.

Anyone else have this problem with a64's? I've only had the cpu and motherboard a couple days, so I'm thinking about RMA'ing for exchange to newegg. But I'm not sure which is making the noise..

 

[CrispyFried]

Might be a HD, the bearing can start to make a high pitched whine.

If you can hook a fan controller up to the fans and vary the speed that would tell you if its the fans.

 

[edm]

After I posted, I removed the HD, video card, case fan, and sound card. Basically running with just the motherboard and Ram connected, and it still makes the noise. So it's either the PSU (fan), or the cpu/fan.

 

[mariosoft034]

Try to stop the cpu fan from spining and check if the noise is still there. Try to hear carefully and check from where exactly that sound comes from

 

[FlyingPenguin]

It's almost certainly the power transistors in the PSU "singing". You must have very accute hearing as I do. I can also hear my PSU sing and the pitch changes depending on the work load.

No real fix for it except to try another PSU, but it's an effect that's not consistent with the PSU model - you can have two PSUs same make and model and one sings and one doesn't. It depends on a lot of factors, although certain brands/models may be more prone to it than others.

I've just learned to ignore it.

 

[edm]

You know, I was actually thinking that may be case. I can usually tell when a television is on, even if I'm in the next room, and there's no sound or picture. I'll need to get someone else to see if they can hear it.

I tried figuring out exactly where it's coming from, but it all mixes together, so it's kind of hard to tell the source. I'm not too keen on stopping the cpu fan from running. Although, I may try a different one if it continues.

I was also wondering if it could be the cpu I'm hearing. They do, after all, run at very high frequencies. But I'm not sure.

Oddly enough, as I'm sitting hear typing this, is not too bad. But as soon as the computer's under any kind of load, it starts up again. I'm hoping it's just a "break-in", period, that passes.

 

[edm]

for the heck of it, I enabled the 'smart cpu fan target' in bios. I set it to 40 degrees -- tolerance 5. And I the pitch has all but stopped.

Anyone know if this is safe?

MSI K8N Neo2 Plat.
A64 3500+ (Venice core) Retal Box with stock heatsink and fan. (Says it suppots cool n smart technology.)
ATI AIW X800 XT
1 GIG Corsair Value select
160 Gig Seagate ATA100 7200
SBlive value
Antect Sonata II case -- 450 watt PSU

Thanks!