Corsair HX1000 Computer Power Supply Coil Whine - Any Troubleshooting?

Frunk on 08/05/2022 - 12:32
Last edited 08/05/2022 - 13:20 by 1 other user

Hi,

This question relates more to electrical solutions than to computing.

I’ve just bought a new power supply for my computer which, despite being rather “high end” (Corsair HX1000), has a noticeable and annoying coil whine occur even when it and the system are under virtually no load. When the load increases slightly it is worse, and audible over a YouTube video playing through my speakers, for example.

I’ve contacted the retailer (Umart) to see what my options might be. I have read that all PSUs can suffer whine for various reasons, including defects in that particular unit’s manufacturing, meaning it needs to be replaced, though I do realise that many retailers and distributors don’t consider it a defect. I’ve also read that coil whine can occur due to “unclean” electricity coming from the port.

Currently my computer is plugged in to an Arlec powerboats ($60 or so at Bunnings) and shares that board with 2 monitors, speakers, and sometimes a phone charger. I can try giving it its own wall port; I just haven’t yet.

However, I am wondering if there is some kind of electrical device which exists to “clean up” “unclean” power? Pardon my ignorance on the subject. I just wonder is there some kind of converter or something like that that I can plug into the wall, which I can then plug the computer (the noisy PSU) into? I realise that wouldn’t be guaranteed to fix the problem anyway, but given this is an expensive computer I’d be happy to do it if it also offered any additional protection to the system.

That aside, can anyone offer any other troubleshooting I might try to eliminate the whine, as well as any general tips regarding powering a computer system and its peripherals like monitors and speakers? i.e. is it a bad idea to have things like that share a power board (even a “good quality” one like I assume the one I have, is)?

Thank you.

• 

  duk242 on 08/05/2022 - 12:34

  +3

  If you plug it into another outlet and it still makes the sound, warranty it.
  A tiny amount of coil whine is OK, but if you can hear it and your head isn't up against your PC case then it sounds excessive.

  • 

    askbargain on 08/05/2022 - 12:43

    +1

    If you buy HX series, there should be no whine at all at low wattage. Just be sure it’s not something else that’s causing the coil whine.

    • 

      Frunk on 08/05/2022 - 22:31

      Any thoughts on what else could cause it? I've tried researching but there's no clear sources on the phenomenon.

• 

  Mechz on 08/05/2022 - 12:50

  +1

  I'd try swapping a bunch of things like the power board, point, cable even try it in a different room on another circuit.

  • 

    Frunk on 08/05/2022 - 22:32

    Will do for sure!

• 

  AndyC1 on 08/05/2022 - 13:08

  What did Umart say when you contacted them?

  • 

    Frunk on 08/05/2022 - 22:29

    I only emailed yesterday, so expecting a reply tomorrow hopefully.

• 

  Shadowsfury on 08/05/2022 - 13:55

  +1

  I got the same PSU - no whine on mine in the 15 months I've had it. My power usage anywhere from idle up to 800w

• 

  garetz on 08/05/2022 - 14:24

  +1

  They don't warranty for coil whine.

  if you are concerned about clean power then look into getting a UPS, it has several beneficial reasons to use one.

  • 

    freefall101 on 08/05/2022 - 19:52

    +1

    They will RMA, depends how loud it is. More likely on a high end PSU as well.

    UPS is the device to clean up power though, also handy to stop your PC being fried during a power surge and give time to shut down during a blackout. Granted, one for a 1000W PSU will be a bit pricey just to clean up the power a little.

    • 

      Mechz on 08/05/2022 - 20:07

      Honestly can't remember the last time I heard about a power surge actually hurting anyone's electrical goods. I really think it's marketing jargon.

    • 

      garetz on 08/05/2022 - 20:24

      +1

      I have tried to rma coil whine with seasonic and antec and both times got knocked back, maybe corsair is different but i doubt it.

• 

  Frunk on 10/05/2022 - 21:59

  So in reply to my email Umart simply instructed me to bring it in for them to assess. I did that today and they RMA'd it! Honestly very happy with the service.

  The fault was very clear when I showed them my video. They were out of stock of HX1000 Platinums, so I bought a SilverStone Strider instead. Installed it this evening; NO coil whine. :D

  The SilverStone is also smaller despite actually being a higher wattage and same certification, plus their cables are "flat" so it's pretty easy to cable manage, not that the Corsair was too bad (just thicc).

  The SilverStone user manual leaves a little to be desired. Grey and white with poor contrast like a low quality photocopy, but something of note (which I didn't read anything like in the Corsair manual - and I'm the type to read them cover-to-cover) which may be useful for someone in the future is:

  Caution: please do not use extension socket, if using extension socket is necessary, avid combined usage with other higher powered household appliances such as TV, audio amplifier, etc…

  I did try the Corsair on a dedicated wall socket and the coil persisted of course, but I'll be giving this one a dedicated socket based on that passage. Perhaps that's common sense to some but it was something I wasn't sure about in my OP.