Hi all,

I just created a new, unRAID, build where the only old component is my PSU (Corsair HX520w). It worked just fine before (for 10 years now!). I cannot believe I had it for this long...

 

This is my new build:

Mobo:  Asus Z170M-Plus

CPU:  Intel i5 Skylake 6600K 3.5 GHz

RAM:  16 GB Crucial Balistix DDR4

GPU:  Nvidia GeForce GTX 670 Windforce x3

SSD: Samsung Evo 256GB SSD

HDD: Seagate Barracuda 3 TB

HDD: 2x Seagate Barracuda 4 TB NAS

PSU:  Corsair HX 520w (from 2007)

Case: Corsair Carbide Air 240

Monitor: Acer Predator XB1

 

 

In the new build i wanted to start the setup in BIOS and unRAID by using the iGPU, so I didn't mount my GTX 670 in the PICe slot.

 

As soon as I started the PC I just heard a load of clicking/ticking (electrical) noise from the PSU. Got me scared at first, then read a few topics about the issue and was made sure that it is not dangerous. From what I understand this is the "low load sound". So if your devices/components are not pulling enough power some Corsair PSUs emit that sound. But I connected 4 fans, 4 disks and the mobo with CPU to it, isn't that enough? Tested also by stopping the psu-fan with a q-tip, and clicking did not stop.

 

Every time I boot, clicking from the PSU starts and the image from the iGPU HDMI-port is flickering on the screen, distorted, and constantly losing signal.

 

So I turned everything off. Mounted my GTX670 and powered on. No clicking... System boots up and into the UEFI Bios, normally, no issues.

 

Then I go into the graphics settings in the BIOS, and set it to use iGPU as primary GPU (I want to use the PCIe GPU for virtualization). Reboot, and the clicking starts again! With all the flickering and loosing hdmi signal issues.

 

What is going on here? Is my PSU old compared to the new components, not enough juice, or is there something else wrong here? Why must I have a PCIe GPU installed and set as primary for the system to work proper?

 

I also tried to move the PSU back into my old system, connected only to the mobo, one fan and a optical drive. Everything boots fine, no clicking, and the igpu in the old system works fine.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

I have never heard of a low load electrical clicking sound from a GPU before. In fact I would almost certainly regard electrical clicking sounds from a piece of electronics to be a bad sign. Unless someone can prove me wrong?

 

Given you have done an isolation test (in that the PSU works fine in another setup) then that leads me to believe there is something wrong with the new one and not the PSU itself. Also given what you are describing with the GPU flickering - I almost am sold on this being an issue with intermittent power / bad connection.

 

Have you double checked all the PSU - M/B connections? I wonder if that "clicking" could be a bad connection and could be some small spiking? Turn everything OFF and re-check every connection. Pull out. Re seat everything. Then retry. Be careful.

Maybe I wasn't clear on it in the first post, but the clicking sound is coming from the PSU, not the GPU. And it is present only when the internal iGPU is being used. Either by setting it in the BIOS or by removing the PCIe card.

 

I've been unplugging and re-plugging everything all-day yesterday Rechecking all the connections. But what is confusing me here is that it is clicking when there is no PCIe gpu present. It should work without it, ti should work by only using the iGPU.

 

I've even done the Corsair PSU paperclip-test, and the PSU is clicking all the time during the test.

 

A comment from the Corsair forum regarding the "paperclip-test":

Also, keep in mind that some users will do a test like this with no load on the PSU. With no load, the PSU may or may not spin up and if it does, it may emit a clicking sound. This is why you need to put a load on the PSU, like a fan or other device.

 

But I am thinking now... perhaps I should remove the motherboard from the case, and test it with the PSU.

Update: I tok out the mobo from the case, and connected it to the psu on a "test-bench". Connected also extra fan and a optical drive, just to get more load. Checked every connector, every pin, checked the connections, all ok.

 

When powered on, it started clicking. But I did manage to figure out the HDMI issues, it was a faulty cable. Replaced it with another one and now it works as it should, no image flickering. But still, PSU is making a lot of noise...

 

After a couple of tests, I saw something interesting on the screen. A new message:

"Power supply surges detected during the previous power on. ASUS anti-surge was triggered to protect system from unstable power supply."

 

 

I don't like the sound of PSU surges.  I know you've been together for a decade, but if it were me I'd probably regard this relationship as being on the rocks.....

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. Just got myself a brand new Corsair HX750i and everything is up and running, smooth and silent