Graphics card buzzing is the production of annoying and disturbing noises from modern graphics cards while gaming or performing other activities. In this article, I would explain what causes these sounds, their effects and how to prevent them. Read on to learn more about your “Graphics Card Buzzing”.
Buzzing noises are high-pitched noises emitted from graphics cards occasionally when gaming or performing other tasks. They are produced by your GPU and caused by coil whine.
What Is Coil Whine?
A coil whine is a high-pitched noise produced by appliances with a power source. It is caused by the interruption of the current passing through the coils of the devices. This results in the vibration of the coils and a characteristic whine. Graphics cards are usually affected because they are under massive load when you are gaming.
This sound is sometimes compared to that of a tea kettle, a scratching or squealing noise.
The sound produced is similar to a high-frequency electronic buzzing. Some individuals say it is like a hissing sound similar to a tea kettle. Others say it sounds like a scratching or squealing noise.
The coil whine is disturbing but it does not cause damage to your device or reduce the lifespan of its components.
Causes Of Coil Whine
Coil whine is caused by the following factors:
The design of the device. Some devices like the graphics card are more prone to coil whine as they are designed with inductors. Inductors are used for the removal of irregularities and the production of smooth power for your graphics card. They have a core or coil through which the current runs. This causes vibration and coil whine.
Bad quality. Components produced with poor skills can cause coil whine, for example, a bad solder connection in the inductor and circuit board.
Environmental conditions. Water, dust, or debris can cause coil whine.
How To Reduce Coil Whine?
There are some things you can do to reduce coil whine:
- Place your device in a properly ventilated environment.
- Avoid dusty or wet places and clean your device from time to time to prevent the accumulation of dust.
- But devices of good quality.
Is Graphics Card Buzzing Noise And Coil Whine Dangerous To Your PC?
Usually, coil whine is not a cause of worry as it is a normal occurrence in many electrical components caused by the activities of the inductors within your device and it stops in a short time.
If you notice that the sound is loud and persistent, seek a technician as one of the internal components of your device may be damaged. However, you can try to detect the cause.
If the source of the noise is the power supply, your PSU might be damaged and needs replacement.
If the source of the noise is the graphics card, it might be faulty.
A loose component can also cause coil whine, try tightening the component. If after following these procedures, the noise does not leave, it is probably permanent.
Can Capacitor Squeal Cause It?
Coil whine is sometimes mistaken for capacitor squeal as both produce high-pitched sounds. However, the sounds produced in your computer are caused by inductor coils.
The main cause of sounds in capacitors is damage, they release toxic gas from the top causing a high-pitched kettle-like whistling sound.
Unlike the coil whine, the sounds produced are consistent and do not reduce or increase.
If you are not sure whether you are dealing with a capacitor squeal or coil whine, open the case and observe for bulging capacitors or a liquid leaving from the top.
As a result of the piezoelectric effect of ceramic capacitors, they can also produce high-pitched sounds but this does not occur in modern PCs.
GPU And Coil Whining
Another cause of coil whine is the Inductors present in the GPU. They are small and enclosed in small boxes.
To confirm if the cause of the sounds in your device is the GPU, try the following procedures.
1. Pay Attention To Your Device
One way to find the source of the sound is to pay attention to your device, however, case fans, CPU cooler fans, and GPU fans can also add to the sounds making it difficult to detect. To control the sounds from these other components, use a third-party program to turn off the fans or a rolled-up paper( or other devices ) to block the noise out.
With these sounds removed, place your ear close to the device, check the graphics card, PSU, and lastly the motherboard.
2. Exchange The Components
To check the main source of the coil Whining, change the parts with different ones to find the faulty one.
First, replace the GPU with another one, if you do not notice any difference, repeat for your PSU if nothing changes, the motherboard is the faulty one.
3. Install The Components In Another Device
Now, take the GPU or power supply and install it on another device. If you notice Whining, the newly installed part is the cause.
How To Stop Noises Coming from GPU?
If you are confident that your GPU is the cause of the noises, follow these steps to stop them.
1. Exercise Patience
It is normal for a new graphics card to emit a buzzing noise at first. As we mentioned earlier, these sounds are not persistent, they reduce over time.
2. Change The Rate Of The Current Flow
To reduce the noise produced by your inductor coil, you have to change the frequency of vibration. To do this, the power drawn by the GPU has to be altered.
To alter the amount of power drawn by your GPU, follow these procedures.
A. Reduce The Framerate
Reducing the number of frames the GPU outputs every second lowers the amount of current which goes through the coil and reduces coil Whining.
This method causes the game to slow down. It is not recommended for use in competitive cases and most gamers don’t like it but it efficiently eliminates coil whine.
In the settings of most games, there is an option to turn on V-sync, G-sync, or Free-sync. This automatically reduces the FPS of your game.
Do Not Overclock
Overclocking your graphics card increases the load on your GPU and causes more current to pass through it. This results in coil whine. If you are not comfortable with the sounds, disable overclocking and return it to normal.
Underclock
If the clock speed of your device is set to default and you still experience coil Whining, underclock the device so it draws in lower power.
3. Physically Examine The GPU
This method requires you to inspect your GPU physically for faults.
- Shut down your computer and unplug it from the power source.
- Your GPU is located at the side panel, open it and observe your GPU for damages.
- Fix the damages found and test them.
- Observe the fan blades if anything is stuck on them that may be causing the noise.
- Use your hands to turn the GPU fans. If you notice inconsistency in their movements, the fan bearing is damaged and needs replacement.
4. Clean The GPU
Excessive buildup of dust and debris in the GPU fans can affect the movement of the fans. If it is dirty, separate the GPU from the motherboard and clean it.
Conclusion
Buzzing sounds originating from graphics cards while gaming is a common experience. This causes some individuals to fret as they do not know the cause or if it has adverse effects.
The cause of these buzzing sounds is coil whine, and it is caused by the excessive load placed on your device while gaming. This is completely normal and does not cause damage. However, there are ways to reduce and eliminate it.
I have explained all you need to know about graphics card buzzing in this article.
FAQs
Why is My GPU Generating Annoying Noises
The noises generated by your GPU are called coil whine. It is produced by the components inside the GPU when a strong current passes through them. Your GPU tends to draw in more current when you play fast-paced games because they increase the speed of the GPU fan which adds to the noises.
Is Coil Whining Bad
Coil Whining does not indicate a damaged graphics card, it does not harm your card, nor does it affect its performance or lifespan. It shows that your device is working perfectly.
How to Stop Coil Whining Disturbance from my Laptop?
If you observe high-pitched noises coming from your laptop while gaming, and you want to stop it, try the following;
- Change the location of your laptop to a more ventilated area if it is getting hot.
- Try underclocking your GPU.
This reduces the amount of power consumed by your laptop. If you try all these and you do not notice any difference, use a noise-canceling headset while gaming. This reduces the noise.
Does Coil Whining Go Away?
if your graphics card is new, the strength of coil Whining reduces and other times it leaves completely. if you replace the GPU/PSU with a new one, you would get the same result as a new graphics card.
