Noise from the motherboard (maybe)

[DidelisDiskas]

Good day.

I'm trying to figure out what is causing this chirping noise in my computer and why. When i stop all the fans it seems to come from the direction of the motherboard I/O in the back. It seems to get worse when i plug something in the usb 3.0 ports, but gets fainter whenever i do something that requires cpu to do work, like scrolling a page with the mouse, or the keyboard, or starting a game.

My computer:

CPU: x4 860k
MotherBoard: Asrock FM2A88X PRO+
GPU: Asus r7 360 oc
PSU: Chieftec A-135 APS-500SB - Bronze 80, 500W

I have tried pluging the power cable into another socket, but that does not change anything. It is not very loud (still annoying) and i can't hear it with my headphones on, but what might be causing this and can it be serious?

 

[Sheep221]

It's called coil whine, and it's not dangerous or bad in any way, just annoying.
From my experience, coil whine occurs sometimes when CPU is clocked very high - probably reinforcing additional load on nearby components.

 

[DidelisDiskas]

It's called coil whine, and it's not dangerous or bad in any way, just annoying.
From my experience, coil whine occurs sometimes when CPU is clocked very high - probably reinforcing additional load on nearby components.

Hm, but why does plugging something in the usb 3.0 ports (as opposed to the 2.0 ones) cause to become louder?

 

[Sheep221]

Hm, but why does plugging something in the usb 3.0 ports (as opposed to the 2.0 ones) cause to become louder?

Triggering additional circuitry to work since USB 3 is run by separate controller from USB 2.0.

 

[DidelisDiskas]

Ha, interesting, i thought only gpus had coil whine. Thanks for the answer!

 

[manuel_ritz]

Are you sure that the noise came from motherboard or disc drive? If it came from motherboard then it's actually a problem.

 

[hymy]

You can use a tube, such as one from a roll of paper towels for this. Hold it to your ear and point it at different areas in the case to narrow down the source.

 

[DidelisDiskas]

As i said, the sound originates somewhere around the I/O shield, it can get louder or fainter depending on what is plugged in. It seems to come and go. Have not yet experienced any issues with the computer whatsoever.

Will try out the tube method though, thanks.