Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870

emmi · Oct 29, 2009, 02:43 PM

Hello, I just got this card and I have this quite annoying problem with it, please note that I did not encounter this with my 8800 GTS card.

A noticable hissing/high pitched noise is coming from my new Gigabyte 5870 card, and increases when I move my mouse around for example.

Any idea how to fix this? I also noticed that I am unable to control the fan speed manually in CCC, it's greyed out, why is this?

Specs:

Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P
Intel Q9550
OCZ DDR2 8GB
Gigabyte ATi 5870
2x 60GB OCZ Summit @ RAID0
Zalman 850W PSU

Tipstaff · Oct 29, 2009, 03:32 PM

Since the card has no coils I'd say it's probably a faulty capacitor. It can happen. If you just bought it I would either return the card, or get Gigabyte to RMA it for you.

Another suggestion is to try another power supply as sometimes the power coming into the video card can affect it this way. I'm still inclined to think it's a faulty capacitor though.

BTW, you're sure the noise is coming from the video card, and not the power supply, or the motherboard?

[hobo]eclipse · Oct 29, 2009, 03:35 PM

i recall someone here having a very similar issue to your own. i believe the noise was coming from their motherboard and was a PSU problem.

On the Fan Speed issue, how many wires come off the fan header on the card to the fan? if there are only 2 you will get no control over the fan speed.

emmi · Oct 29, 2009, 03:42 PM

When I had my GTS 8800 I did not encounter this problem so I am fairly sure it's the GFX. Someone recommended that I tried to use the optional PCI-Express powerplugs from the PSU. Another suggestion was to turn v-sync on.

I'm gonna try both of those tonight.

Judas · Oct 29, 2009, 04:18 PM

5870 draws far more power

so it's not out of the realms of possibility that is isn't the card..but yes.. things would point to the card.

The card/motherboard/psu is "resinating" usually hot glue and other things are smothered all over the chips and whatnot to keep them from "vibrating"... i've finding more and more machines/computers/parts resinating and vibrating causing audioable noise...

emmi · Oct 29, 2009, 04:21 PM

To my surprise my system draws around 200W @ idle, I expected more.

Judas · Oct 29, 2009, 05:21 PM

yeah idle.. the HD5xxx are amazing...

emmi · Oct 29, 2009, 06:05 PM

On second thought, when listening real hard I think it's coming from that PSU.

The noise only starts to get noticable when you are passed certain point before seeing the login window in Windows 7.

Judas · Oct 29, 2009, 06:11 PM

that usually where the most power draw is.... when it gets into windows.... the idler kicks in...

Just Learnin' · Oct 30, 2009, 01:13 AM

Buzzing Noise from power supplies - Possible solution Buzzing Noise from power supplies - Possible solution - The Corsair Support Forums

Tipstaff · Oct 30, 2009, 01:28 AM

I would have suggested it before, but usually the noise comes from the coils that are usually found on motherboards, video cards, and PSUs. These days, however, most video cards don't have the standard "open" coils, nor do the motherboards, which is why I didn't mention it. PSUs, on the other hand, open one up, and you are likely to find a couple. Those coils can be the major source of the whining noise, usually due to them not being wound properly.

Here's a cheap "fix". Wipe the entire coil in question with nail polish, or dump a blob of hot glue on it. 'Course, if it is the PSU that's giving you a problem that means opening it up, voiding your warranty, so be sure that it is the PSU being whiny.

emmi · Oct 30, 2009, 10:45 AM

Interesting fix on the Corsair forums, I'll definately give that a try. If that doesnt work I'll try to return it and get another brand instead.

Last resort I'll open it up and see what I can do but I prefer not since it is a brans new PSU.

This is something I cannot live with, the noise is very annoying.

Thanks all for the replies!

Tyrsonswood · Oct 30, 2009, 12:35 PM

If it's a new PSU, opening it up will void your warranty...... better to just return it.

emmi · Oct 30, 2009, 02:04 PM

I did what they suggested on the Corsair forums and it seems to have done the trick.

Tipstaff · Oct 30, 2009, 02:32 PM

Nice. I'll have to remember that trick.

Glad it worked out for you.

Chaos · Oct 30, 2009, 04:09 PM

great that is a good one to log away for those moments when you need to look like a computer god and everyone else is stumped

Just Learnin' · Oct 30, 2009, 05:15 PM

Not my fix but thanks for the rep!

procupine14 · Nov 3, 2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaos

great that is a good one to log away for those moments when you need to look like a computer god and everyone else is stumped

Yeah I like to keep a couple in my arsenal. Especially that new idea of sticking the mobo/gfx in the oven

SeraphicSorcerer · Nov 3, 2009, 04:01 PM

I just assume that my computer is flirting with me anytime I hear strange noises.

Oct 29, 2009, 02:43 PM	#1
emmi Driverheaven Mirror Provider Join Date: May 2003 Location: Iceland Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 Hello, I just got this card and I have this quite annoying problem with it, please note that I did not encounter this with my 8800 GTS card. A noticable hissing/high pitched noise is coming from my new Gigabyte 5870 card, and increases when I move my mouse around for example. Any idea how to fix this? I also noticed that I am unable to control the fan speed manually in CCC, it's greyed out, why is this? Specs: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P Intel Q9550 OCZ DDR2 8GB Gigabyte ATi 5870 2x 60GB OCZ Summit @ RAID0 Zalman 850W PSU __________________ PSX.is

Oct 29, 2009, 03:32 PM	#2
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,658 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 Since the card has no coils I'd say it's probably a faulty capacitor. It can happen. If you just bought it I would either return the card, or get Gigabyte to RMA it for you. Another suggestion is to try another power supply as sometimes the power coming into the video card can affect it this way. I'm still inclined to think it's a faulty capacitor though. BTW, you're sure the noise is coming from the video card, and not the power supply, or the motherboard? __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Oct 29, 2009, 03:35 PM	#3
[hobo]eclipse ...just bummin 'round Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 2,897 Rep Power: 107 System Specs	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 i recall someone here having a very similar issue to your own. i believe the noise was coming from their motherboard and was a PSU problem. On the Fan Speed issue, how many wires come off the fan header on the card to the fan? if there are only 2 you will get no control over the fan speed.

Oct 29, 2009, 03:42 PM	Thread Starter #4
emmi Driverheaven Mirror Provider Join Date: May 2003 Location: Iceland Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 When I had my GTS 8800 I did not encounter this problem so I am fairly sure it's the GFX. Someone recommended that I tried to use the optional PCI-Express powerplugs from the PSU. Another suggestion was to turn v-sync on. I'm gonna try both of those tonight. __________________ PSX.is

Oct 29, 2009, 04:21 PM	Thread Starter #6
emmi Driverheaven Mirror Provider Join Date: May 2003 Location: Iceland Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 To my surprise my system draws around 200W @ idle, I expected more. __________________ PSX.is

Oct 29, 2009, 06:05 PM	Thread Starter #8
emmi Driverheaven Mirror Provider Join Date: May 2003 Location: Iceland Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 On second thought, when listening real hard I think it's coming from that PSU. The noise only starts to get noticable when you are passed certain point before seeing the login window in Windows 7. __________________ PSX.is

Oct 30, 2009, 01:13 AM	#10
Just Learnin' HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 1,414 Rep Power: 54 System Specs	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 Buzzing Noise from power supplies - Possible solution Buzzing Noise from power supplies - Possible solution - The Corsair Support Forums

Oct 30, 2009, 01:28 AM	#11
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,658 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 I would have suggested it before, but usually the noise comes from the coils that are usually found on motherboards, video cards, and PSUs. These days, however, most video cards don't have the standard "open" coils, nor do the motherboards, which is why I didn't mention it. PSUs, on the other hand, open one up, and you are likely to find a couple. Those coils can be the major source of the whining noise, usually due to them not being wound properly. Here's a cheap "fix". Wipe the entire coil in question with nail polish, or dump a blob of hot glue on it. 'Course, if it is the PSU that's giving you a problem that means opening it up, voiding your warranty, so be sure that it is the PSU being whiny. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Oct 30, 2009, 10:45 AM	Thread Starter #12
emmi Driverheaven Mirror Provider Join Date: May 2003 Location: Iceland Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 Interesting fix on the Corsair forums, I'll definately give that a try. If that doesnt work I'll try to return it and get another brand instead. Last resort I'll open it up and see what I can do but I prefer not since it is a brans new PSU. This is something I cannot live with, the noise is very annoying. Thanks all for the replies! __________________ PSX.is

Oct 30, 2009, 02:04 PM	Thread Starter #14
emmi Driverheaven Mirror Provider Join Date: May 2003 Location: Iceland Posts: 78 Rep Power: 0	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 I did what they suggested on the Corsair forums and it seems to have done the trick. __________________ PSX.is

Oct 30, 2009, 02:32 PM	#15
Tipstaff HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Real capital of Canada: Torauna Posts: 6,658 Rep Power: 187 System Specs	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 Nice. I'll have to remember that trick. Glad it worked out for you. __________________ Portal: The Flash Version _________________________________ Brain: So, you sacked the cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker? Mr. Sackett: The second cocky khaki Kicky Sack sock plucker I've sacked since the sixth sitting sheet slitter got sick.

Oct 30, 2009, 04:09 PM	#16
Chaos Number Nine Join Date: May 2002 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 5,269 Rep Power: 165 System Specs	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 great that is a good one to log away for those moments when you need to look like a computer god and everyone else is stumped __________________

Oct 30, 2009, 05:15 PM	#17
Just Learnin' HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 1,414 Rep Power: 54 System Specs	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 Not my fix but thanks for the rep!

Nov 3, 2009, 04:01 PM	#19
SeraphicSorcerer HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 2,295 Rep Power: 154 System Specs	Re: Strange hissing sound from ATi 5870 I just assume that my computer is flirting with me anytime I hear strange noises. __________________