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Guinpen
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Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 393
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 Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject: Core 2 desktop: CPU noise! |
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Hello,
I'm running kernel 2.6.20 on a Core 2 Duo E6700 at default BIOS settings; that is, no overclock. When either core is at full load, I can easily make out a high-pitched noise/buzz, which seems electrical. Note that I've disabled SpeedStep and an "enhanced idle cpu" mode from the BIOS. The motherboard is a NVidia nForce 680i. For testing, I'm using mprime (www.mersenne.org). The problem also happens in Windows XP.
The noise is not from the CPU fan or from the power supply; I'm sure about these. It's the CPU or the motherboard itself around the CPU.
Any ideas? I noticed several threads about a similar issue with laptops, but this is different in that I hear noise when loaded, not when idle, while some laptops have the opposite problem. |
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widan
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Joined: 07 Jun 2005
Posts: 1512
Location: Paris, France
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| Posted: Fri Mar 23, 2007 11:51 pm Post subject: Re: Core 2 desktop: CPU noise! |
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| Godji wrote: | | The noise is not from the CPU fan or from the power supply; I'm sure about these. It's the CPU or the motherboard itself around the CPU. |
It's "inductor whine", caused by vibration of the inductors in the VRM (look for toroids wound with thick wire near the CPU socket). The pitch of the noise typically changes depending on the power consumption. It's (unfortunately) a common problem (google for "inductor whine" or "coil whine"). The solution usually involves finding the culprit inductor(s) and gluing it (them) down on the board with hot melt glue to dampen the vibration.
| Godji wrote: | | I hear noise when loaded, not when idle, while some laptops have the opposite problem. |
I guess it depends on the circuit configuration, and the switching frequency used by the VRM. But it's the same problem (high frequency vibrations of inductors). |
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Guinpen
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Joined: 08 Dec 2004
Posts: 393
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 11:02 am Post subject: |
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| I see. So it seems that in a 200+ EUR mothoerboard nVidia wouldn't even take care of that little detail. Next time I'll buy Intel. |
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albright
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Joined: 16 Nov 2003
Posts: 2588
Location: Near Toronto
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 12:40 pm Post subject: |
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| lot's of complaints about intel boards too here and there ... |
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Guinpen
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 2:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Well, do you know of a good board for a powerful yet quiet (!= silent) PC? |
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widan
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Location: Paris, France
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:18 pm Post subject: |
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| Godji wrote: | | I see. So it seems that in a 200+ EUR mothoerboard nVidia wouldn't even take care of that little detail. Next time I'll buy Intel. |
It's not nVidia that makes the actual boards. Whether a board will whine depends on the circuit design (and the switching frequency), the type of inductors used and their quality, how they are mounted (and possibly glued or potted in epoxy), ... An Intel chipset board can whine too, as the VRM is probably quite similar.
| Godji wrote: | | Well, do you know of a good board for a powerful yet quiet (!= silent) PC? |
You can try to look on SPCR and on their forums. I can't find it right now, but there was a topic on their forum about whining motherboards.
Last edited by widan on Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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albright
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Joined: 16 Nov 2003
Posts: 2588
Location: Near Toronto
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Well, do you know of a good board for a powerful yet quiet (!= silent) PC? |
to be honest, I've never had a motherboard that whined (and I've
been through a dozen or so desktops). I would not be surprised
if you bought another copy of your current motherboard and
found it did not whine but I really don't know ... |
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