Clicking noise in system?

[The Von Matrices]

Hi everyone,

I've searched over the internet to try to find out what in the world is happening in my system. I try to avoid posting help questions, but I am truly stumped and I cannot find any answers online. I am wondering if any of the smart TPU users have any clue what is happening.

I keep hearing "clicks" in my system. I mine scrypt coins using my GPUs, so they are almost constantly pegged at 100% load. My miner occasionally switches pools or loses connection, causing the GPUs to drop to 0% load for a short period. The thing I notice is that when the GPU load drops from 100% to 0%, I immediately hear an audible "click" in my system, and the "click" happens again immediately as the GPUs return from 0% to 100% usage. The "click" definitely isn't random, and it is not sustained under zero load or 100% load; it only occurs when changing states.

The pressing questions I have is if anyone can help me trace this to a specific component and if this will result in any long term damage to my system.

Other internet forums I read where people reported "clicking" noises suggested checking fans for bearings or to see if the blades are striking one component, but I cannot see any such issues in my system and since the noise is not constant it's unlikely to be a rotating fan. I would best describe it as sounding like a small mechanical relay engaging, but I thought modern computers were all solid state?

Thanks for the help.

 

[Jetster]

Will running your GPUs at 100% for extended periods damage your system. ..yes. You sure its not a drive? Electrical spark?

 

[Blue-Knight]

but I thought modern computers were all solid state?

Most computers are not equipped with solid state drives, most of them use ordinary hard disks (because of price).

 

[buildzoid]

Badly secured coil cores. Basically when the inductors starts to push high currents(when GPUs hit 100% load) the magnetic field they make spikes in power and will tug at the core. If the core is loose it will hit the coil around the core making a impact noise that sounds like a click.

 

[The Von Matrices]

Will running your GPUs at 100% for extended periods damage your system. ..yes.

That I already know, and I willing to take that risk. I just don't want my system catching on fire or something other than the GPUs getting damaged.

You sure its not a drive? Electrical spark?

I'm 99% sure it's not a hard drive, since the hard drive makes a very distinctive noise when accessing data whereas this noise is of a completely different tone and louder. As far as a spark, I do not see anything in my system.

Most computers are not equipped with solid state drives, most of them use ordinary hard disks (because of price).

You're right. I realize now that I should have rephrased my original post.

Badly secured coil cores. Basically when the inductors starts to push high currents(when GPUs hit 100% load) the magnetic field they make spikes in power and will tug at the core. If the core is loose it will hit the coil around the core making a impact noise that sounds like a click.

That seems plausible. I'm assuming this is due to the inductors in the power supply. because it would seem like the coils in the chokes on the GPUs themselves would have no room to move and make a click (they are completely embedded). I've heard of GPU coil whine but not GPU coil clicking. Would this make sense that it's the PSU?

In that case, is this something I should worry about regarding the longevity of my system? Of course, anything banging around is undesirable, but is it something that is indicative of a pending failure or merely an annoyance?

One of my scariest computing experiences was having a a fully loaded 1500W PSU fail by shorting out, making a gunshot like bang and shooting sparks everywhere inside my case. Miraculously, nothing other than the power supply got damaged, but I don't want to have to experience it again.

 

[rtwjunkie]

Badly secured coil cores. Basically when the inductors starts to push high currents(when GPUs hit 100% load) the magnetic field they make spikes in power and will tug at the core. If the core is loose it will hit the coil around the core making a impact noise that sounds like a click.

This seems like a very good explanation of what's going on in OP's system. I've got a HooToo USB 3 add-in card that always clicks like a switch as the system comes on, and all without any moving parts, lol.

 

[Blue-Knight]

The Von Matrices, If you could record the sound it would be interesting.

Happy New Year!

 

[Frag Maniac]

Could be a fan bearing or even creaking from temp changes. I know my case creaks a bit when temps ramp up. Could also be a thermal overload circuit being stressed.

One thing you can do with PCs that you can also do with cars is use a mechanic's stethoscope to trace where the sound is coming from. They can be had fairly cheap.

Just make sure you don't stick it on a fan blade or somewhere that might cause static or a short. I would also wrist strap yourself when doing it.

 

[The Von Matrices]

The Von Matrices, If you could record the sound it would be interesting.

Happy New Year!

I'll set my microphone up near my computer and try to get a sample of it.

 

[buildzoid]

That seems plausible. I'm assuming this is due to the inductors in the power supply. because it would seem like the coils in the chokes on the GPUs themselves would have no room to move and make a click (they are completely embedded). I've heard of GPU coil whine but not GPU coil clicking. Would this make sense that it's the PSU?

In that case, is this something I should worry about regarding the longevity of my system? Of course, anything banging around is undesirable, but is it something that is indicative of a pending failure or merely an annoyance?

One of my scariest computing experiences was having a a fully loaded 1500W PSU fail by shorting out, making a gunshot like bang and shooting sparks everywhere inside my case. Miraculously, nothing other than the power supply got damaged, but I don't want to have to experience it again.

GPU coil whine is a sign of loose inductor core on the GPU so no they are not totally embedded but they shouldn't click due to space constraints but it's possible if the current draw increase is fast enough. The PSU inductors are usually huge(heavy) so I have my doubt's about those causing it. But either way whether it's from the GPU/PSU it's only an annoying noise and has nothing to do with longevity. For example stock AMD VRMs with Coiltronics inductors are the whiniest of all but they are much more robust in design than Nvidia VRMs which don't have a tendency to whine as often.