Mechanical click on intel chipset boards?

[sswilson]

Ok, I know I'm not going nuts, and I'm hoping that somebody has an answer for me........ :)

My P965 board "clicks" when a load is placed on it, and if I remember correctly so does the P35 gigabyte board.

I suspect it's something to do with the voltage regulation, but I'm wondering if anybody out there has a definitive answer as to what it actually is?

[3.0charlie]

It's PWMs conplaining with high Volts and improper cooling. I had that noise on 2 Evga 680is (check their forum, there's a thread about that). My fix was to add passive coolers to the PWMs and good airflow.

I didn't know that the Gigabyte boards had the same issue (I have both the 965-S3 and the DS3L); never heard it since even before powering the 'bytes for their first time, I installed ram sinks on the PWMs.

Try it, it worked for me 4 times. Just may for you too.

John

[sswilson]

I'll have a look at the EVGA forums to see what they have to say about it.

I'm not overly concerned, it doesn't seem to be affecting anything.

It just seems strange, it sounds like a relay kicking in.

This is a one-time noise, it's not something that continues on while under load.

[Amon]

It's contacting E.T. :)

[3.0charlie]

@ sswilson: You're an AME, right? I too once was an AME, a long time ago. To me, the sound is exactly like a timed relay.

What I still wonder is where does the clicking sound comes from within the PWM. There's nothing mechanical in there...

Worst part is that even though you return to defaul voltage, the clicking sound stays. I wonder if damage is done once you hear it. But I never add to drop the OC or voltage; only add sinks and airflow.

The first 680 I built back in January still does it; you can hear it with the case opened, if you know what the sound is. But that E6400 is still running strong @ 3.4.

John

[sswilson]

What I still wonder is where does the clicking sound comes from within the PWM. There's nothing mechanical in there...

Yeah, that's what's got me... And it does sound exactly like relay contacts making in order to provide more juice..... :)

I'm not positive on the Giga board, I'll have to take the case side off to give it listen.

@ sswilson: You're an AME, right?

That's what they keep trying to tell me...... :)

[belgolas]

I got a clicking sound when updating bios on my DS3L

[3.0charlie]

Found the evga link. Not the same noise (I had clicking noises), but adding sinks took care of the problem.

Infamous CPU Squeal Whine Under Load Problem!!

[sswilson]

Originally Posted by 3.0charlie

Found the evga link. Not the same noise (I had clicking noises), but adding sinks took care of the problem.

Infamous CPU Squeal Whine Under Load Problem!!

Thanks for the link. I was actually just over at the EVGA forums doing a search for PWM CLICK and not having any luck.... :)

Definately not the same issue, but it was interesting to see the complaints about board squeal.... I thought my Dark was alone in current boards with this issue and hadn't heard to many complaints about other boards. (I've had it on various boards before, but thought it was mostly a thing of the past).

I think we're talking exactly the same thing though, the relay clicking sound is a perfect description.