Whistling sound from PSU

Ferris · 24 September 2007 at 1:14PM

Hi,
I'm fairly confident this situation isn't desperate, but I'm mildly concerned about a whistling noise coming from the PSU in my PC. I can't remember exactly what the brand is (I'll have a look later) but it is a replacement fitted under warranty about 18 months ago.

Basically when I first put the PC on, or especially when I put it into standby mode, there is a kind of whistling noise, sometimes quiet but constant, sometimes louder (still not loud) but pulsing at fairly regular intervals. I think this is a fairly recent change. Before that, there was always a very faint sound, almost like an electrical 'crackle' in the background whenever the PC was off or on standby (if I flip the master switch on the PSU, of course, it disappears).

It doesn't happen much when the PC is on, only when it's starting up from cold. As I type now, there is no sound.

Any ideas? Should I be worried?

Tallymanjohn · 24 September 2007 at 2:17PM

It's probably the bearing in the fan(s) - hence the change once it's warmed up. Personally, I would change the power supply - it's a far more important part of the pc than many people realise. If it does grind to a halt then, unless it's a decent current-protecting psu (usually identifiable by price/brand), then it can take other components with it. As a short term measure you could try blasting air through it from inside otherwise bite the bullet & replace it - a decent supply can be bought for around £25-£30.

Ferris · 24 September 2007 at 2:23PM

Tallymanjohn wrote: »

It's probably the bearing in the fan(s) - hence the change once it's warmed up. Personally, I would change the power supply - it's a far more important part of the pc than many people realise. If it does grind to a halt then, unless it's a decent current-protecting psu (usually identifiable by price/brand), then it can take other components with it. As a short term measure you could try blasting air through it from inside otherwise bite the bullet & replace it - a decent supply can be bought for around £25-£30.

thanks for that. i thought it might be the fan, but then i wonder why it still happens when the PC is off/on standby? surely the fan isn't spinning in this state?