CPU (or MB, not sure?) makes high pitched noise

[adsubzero]

Hello everyone, I'm using AMD FX-8120 (125W) with Gigabyte GA-970A-DS3, you can see rest of the specs on my profile.
I've been using this CPU on the MB even on the F3 bios version, even though the CPU is not officially supported (only the 95W version, and only from F7a bios).
So here is the problem, I ran OCCT test and after about 10 minutes or so, there is a constant high pitched noise coming from somewhere around CPU area, which lasts for around 30 seconds then stops.
When that happens, I can hear the CPU fan slowing down, and temperatures decreasing which would normally point to throttling (the temps are very low, so it's not that).
After 30 seconds it just comes back to normal, the test is still running and after a few minutes it happens again etc.
However, the CPU usage, frequency, and voltage all stay unchanged (I've checked in OCCT, CPU-Z, and AIDA64 at the same time), and that is a bit confusing since I don't even know what's happening.
Could be some safety instructions from the mobo because of the high TDP processor?

At some point I tried overclocking, and I got to 3,9GHz with the stock voltage, but I can't go any further, even with the voltage bumped to 1.43V, but that's not my primary concern, I will open a new thread for that.
I just mentioned this because the problem could be related, as there could be compatibility issues, but the CPU is working fine, while it shouldn't work at all, considering the mobo manufacturers compatibility list!?

I searched all over the internet, and I haven't found anyone with the same problem as I'm having.
I found that some people are complaining about coil whine, and after searching more on that, I can tell that this is not coil whine, but more of a high pitched "beep" noise (not that loud at all) that is constantly heard for about 30 seconds.
Since I don't want to force the CPU anymore because of potential problems, I can try replicating that sound if it would help?
So, if anyone has an idea what's going on, I would be very thankful for any help.

 

[d1nky]

its coil whine, I get it when I overclock my gpu or cpu a lot!

google search coil whine, tbh I don't even know if they found what the cause is yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coil_noise

( some manufacturers will RMA a product for coil whine! )

 

[ruff0r]

If you are using the 125W CPU on a 95W you will have a bad time.

Many boards came back to use in the penom2 days where the vrm sections of the mainbaords didn´t last half a year when used a 120W on a 95 budged board.

Might be VRM on your mainboard not liking the 125W loads

 

[adsubzero]

its coil whine, I get it when I overclock my gpu or cpu a lot!

google search coil whine, tbh I don't even know if they found what the cause is yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coil_noise

( some manufacturers will RMA a product for coil whine! )

I see, however, I did a bit of a search and watched a few videos where coil whine is present, and I can say that what I'm having is different.
The noise is happening on a stock cpu, and it's a constant noise (as opposed to the noise other people are getting) that doesn't happen always, but only when testing with OCCT and Prime95.

If you are using the 125W CPU on a 95W you will have a bad time.

Many boards came back to use in the penom2 days where the vrm sections of the mainbaords didn´t last half a year when used a 120W on a 95 budged board.

Might be VRM on your mainboard not liking the 125W loads

That's probably what's causing the problem, but shouldn't I be unable to boot the system at all?
Anyway, since I had problems with OC-ing which is probably because I got a bad chip, what would be better to change, CPU or the MB?
Is Asus M5A97 R2.0 a good choice?

 

[ruff0r]

That's probably what's causing the problem, but shouldn't I be unable to boot the system at all?
Anyway, since I had problems with OC-ing which is probably because I got a bad chip, what would be better to change, CPU or the MB?
Is Asus M5A97 R2.0 a good choice?

You will be able too boot and you will be able to use it.
They just put 95W max on those VRM since they are not cooled at all and if the load gets to high it will not last long that is why they say only 95W max to prevent that.

I would love you to move to an Asus mainboard but i think there are better choices out there for less money. Some member using AM3+ will help us out for sure .

But maybe you could get a away a bit cheaper

with those on your VRM´s

 

[adsubzero]

I don't really have a wide range of available 970 chipset MB's in my country, only Asus M5A97 R2.0, and Gigabyte GA-970A-UD3 (which is about $10 more).
I wouldn't go with the 990FX/XA, as it's a lot more expensive, and I'm not planning to go for SLI/XFire
I can't find VRM heatsinks anywhere. :/

 

[ruff0r]

I only Asus M5A97 R2.0,

Supports CPU up to 140 W go for the Asus much better so far then the Gigabyte.

 

[adsubzero]

Supports CPU up to 140 W go for the Asus much better so far then the Gigabyte.

Well, the thing is that the board supports 125W, such as FX-6350, and older Phenom models, but not the one I have.
So do you know for sure if this problem is because the board has only 4+1 phase and no heatsink, and it would be solved with a better mobo?

Let me ask you this, I've seen people get 4.6GHz or even higher with FX-8120, but I couldn't go over 3.9GHz regardless of voltage.
Is this purely because the CPU I got is a bad example, or is it MB related?

 

[ruff0r]

Well, the thing is that the board supports 125W, such as FX-6350, and older Phenom models, but not the one I have.
So do you know for sure if this problem is because the board has only 4+1 phase and no heatsink, and it would be solved with a better mobo?

Let me ask you this, I've seen people get 4.6GHz or even higher with FX-8120, but I couldn't go over 3.9GHz regardless of voltage.
Is this purely because the CPU I got is a bad example, or is it MB related?

I can not answer you this question since both could be the reason. It could be the chip or your mobo not able to give it stable voltage with only 5 phases.
Your mobo is supports your CPU
CPU support list : http://www.gigabyte.de/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3907

 

[adsubzero]

I can not answer you this question since both could be the reason. It could be the chip or your mobo not able to give it stable voltage with only 5 phases

I was planning to get a new mobo anyway, I'll just go with the ASUS and hope it solves the issue with the OC-ing as well.
Thanks for the help.
Just one more thing, is it possible to find out where the noise (coil whine?) is coming from, the cpu or vrm?

 

[adsubzero]

Your mobo is supports your CPU
CPU support list : http://www.gigabyte.de/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=3907

That's not my MB, that one has 8+2 phase, while mine is 970A-DS3, and has 4+1 phase.

My choice now is between 970A-UD3 and Asus M5A97 R2.0

This list is for my current MB:
http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/cpu-support-popup.aspx?pid=4297

 

[Blue-Knight]

but the CPU is working fine, while it shouldn't work at all, considering the mobo manufacturers compatibility list!?

Well, the list says they support my CPU since BIOS version FD but it works apparently the same on FC version (1st version) as well.

The only thing I didn't like is that I am unable to activate all the cores of my CPU (BSOD on Windows and kernel panic on Linux when I do that).

I still don't know if it is being caused by damaged motherboard, incompatibility, damaged CPU or other thing.

 

[itsakjt]

I am using the Asus M5A97 R2.0. Its a good board and definitely better than Gigabyte 970A-DS3. It has got a 4+2 phase power system with 140W TDP support along with a heatsink! Also your board does not officially support the 125W FX 8 cores. So the board VRM is under pressure. You can get it if you are on a budget.

 

[adsubzero]

I am using the Asus M5A97 R2.0. Its a good board and definitely better than Gigabyte 970A-DS3. It has got a 4+2 phase power system with 140W TDP support along with a heatsink! Also your board does not officially support the 125W FX 8 cores. So the board VRM is under pressure. You can get it if you are on a budget.

So I might even have some headroom for overclock? That's great, I'll get that board, thanks for the tip.

 

[itsakjt]

So I might even have some headroom for overclock? That's great, I'll get that board, thanks for the tip.

Of course. I have overclocked my 125W Phenom II 955 from 3.2 GHz to 3.86 GHz, IMC from 2.0 GHz to 2.8 GHz and RAMs from 1600 MHz to 1866 MHz.