Rattling sound coming from my 800w PSU

[Steforian]

So im using an 'SL-8850EPS' in my new PC, and recently ive started to hear a slight rattling sound (like the fan blades are hitting the thinnest piece of filament) that seems to come from the unit, the sound seems to fade in and out, in 20 second cycles or so.

Here it is (and im positive the sound is coming from this and nothing else):
http://www.apextechusa.com/products.asp?pID=165

And here's my 550LC unit that is adjacent to the PSU:
http://www.asetek.com/products/oem-s...cts/550lc.html

So I'm kinda worried because my new PC is only a month old now, and im unsure whether or not the sound could be the for-bearer of its failure or something.
P.S. I'm kinda obsessive compulsive when it comes to noises, even the faintest sounds drive me crazy

[Bolkonsky]

It sounds like one of the fan bearings failed. I'd see if I could send it back, if I were you.

[Steforian]

It sounds like one of the fan bearings failed. I'd see if I could send it back, if I were you.

Ah, thanks. Does ine of the bearings failing mean that the PSU is not working to potential?

[Bolkonsky]

It means that the fan could break at any moment, and the PSU would blow.

[Steforian]

It means that the fan could break at any moment, and the PSU would blow.

You serious? Cause if your joking its not that funny.

[Bolkonsky]

Well, if that's what it truly is, yes I'm serious. The question is: Did something get stuck in the fan (you know, like a card on a bicycle tire), or did the bearing break? Try blowing it out with compressed air. If it's a new PSU, and the bearing did break, then you can probably send it back under warranty. The fact that it comes in cycles though, makes me think that.

[Steforian]

I took the whole thing out, did not see anything obstructive, and blew out what i could with canned air. Its so irritating, yesterday it was the loudest it ever was, and today it has been working perfectly..... anyhow im putting $200 aside from my next paycheck for this new PSU i saw online, hopefully i can get it at Best-buy (only tech store near here).

[Darkpriest667]

I took the whole thing out, did not see anything obstructive, and blew out what i could with canned air. Its so irritating, yesterday it was the loudest it ever was, and today it has been working perfectly..... anyhow im putting $200 aside from my next paycheck for this new PSU i saw online, hopefully i can get it at Best-buy (only tech store near here).

Don't buy it from bestbuy..

Buy it from here

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

And I'd recommend a corsair. Everyone raves about them even though I have an OCZ. those are all 80 plus certified power supplies

[Bolkonsky]

Don't yet: Make sure it's not a piece of metal that's in there. Contact the manufacturer and explain it to them. It might be under warranty.

[Steforian]

Don't yet: Make sure it's not a piece of metal that's in there. Contact the manufacturer and explain it to them. It might be under warranty.

If i open up the CPU to fully examine the fan then its warranty is void.....
and if i return it under the *warranty* protection it states that i need to pay s&h both ways, and that the item will be repaired using new or *reconditioned* parts (most likely the latter). Since i would need to ship it to Cali, i don't think it is worth it since it was $100 in the first place.

THis is the other 800w PSU i had my eye on: http://us.test.giga-byte.com/Product...ProductID=2490

[PoleCat]

I took the whole thing out, did not see anything obstructive, and blew out what i could with canned air. Its so irritating, yesterday it was the loudest it ever was, and today it has been working perfectly....

If i open up the CPU to fully examine the fan then its warranty is void.....
and if i return it under the *warranty* protection it states that i need to pay s&h both ways, and that the item will be repaired using new or *reconditioned* parts (most likely the latter)....

I'm a bit confused so maybe you could shed some light here possibly? You say that you took the "whole thing out" and used canned air to clean the system. Did you mean to say you cleaned out the system with canned air but didn't remove any components?

Because in your next response you mention warranty voids. If this is a pre-built system then DON'T remove any components and beware of the Quality Control tape that is usually pasted across the back.

Usually a bearing failure results in a near constant whine from the PSU fans at those RPMs - it's hard to miss. As your issue seems to be cyclical as you describe is it possible that the fan is out of kilter and that the fan blade is out of balance?

I'm with Bolkonsky on this one - don't send that back or order a new PSU until you understand what the problem is.

Lastly, did you build that system yourself or is it pre-built. If pre-built then where from? Good luck!

[Steforian]

I'm a bit confused so maybe you could shed some light here possibly? You say that you took the "whole thing out" and used canned air to clean the system. Did you mean to say you cleaned out the system with canned air but didn't remove any components?

Because in your next response you mention warranty voids. If this is a pre-built system then DON'T remove any components and beware of the Quality Control tape that is usually pasted across the back.

Usually a bearing failure results in a near constant whine from the PSU fans at those RPMs - it's hard to miss. As your issue seems to be cyclical as you describe is it possible that the fan is out of kilter and that the fan blade is out of balance?

I'm with Bolkonsky on this one - don't send that back or order a new PSU until you understand what the problem is.

Lastly, did you build that system yourself or is it pre-built. If pre-built then where from? Good luck!

AH sorry about that, for the first quote i took out the 'PSU' and tried to clean the 'PSU' out (without unassembling, or breaking the warranty tape).

And for the second quote i meant to type "PSU" not CPU. ANd the tape im referign to is the tape on the back of the PSU ONLY, nothing else.

And lastly, ive not over-clocked the fans at all (have not touched its speed settings) and there never was any whining sound, as a matter a fact you can hardly hear my computer with its liquid cooling system handling most of the heat.
The system was pre-built from ibuypower.com, and a rant about how bad they are wont help me in anyway shape or form, so dont even bother. Anyhow, thanks for the advice. If there was a better way i could phrase what the situation is i would.

p.s. in retrospect, this was the cheapest 800w PSU they had, so its understandable it would have problems.

[PoleCat]

AH sorry about that, for the first quote i took out the 'PSU' and tried to clean the 'PSU' out (without unassembling, or breaking the warranty tape).

And for the second quote i meant to type "PSU" not CPU. ANd the tape im referign to is the tape on the back of the PSU ONLY, nothing else.

And lastly, ive not over-clocked the fans at all (have not touched its speed settings) and there never was any whining sound, as a matter a fact you can hardly hear my computer with its liquid cooling system handling most of the heat.
The system was pre-built from ibuypower.com, and a rant....

Thanks for the response and the clarification. I'll admit upfront that I have no specific experience with liquid computer cooling systems but I do have experience with hydraulic systems. What you describe sounds almost like a hydraulic system with an air bubble in the line. Are you sure that the PSU is the source of the sound? Where is the cooler installed on that system? The cyclical nature of the noise makes me think that there's something else going on here than the PSU. Good luck!

[Bolkonsky]

Also:

Is it a constant noise now? If you gently shake the PSU, do you hear something rattle?

[Steforian]

Thanks for the response and the clarification. I'll admit upfront that I have no specific experience with liquid computer cooling systems but I do have experience with hydraulic systems. What you describe sounds almost like a hydraulic system with an air bubble in the line. Are you sure that the PSU is the source of the sound? Where is the cooler installed on that system? The cyclical nature of the noise makes me think that there's something else going on here than the PSU. Good luck!

I admit i was pondering this too, since the PSU and LC unit are half an inch apart. The PSU is at the top rear of the system, with the fan facing down, and the Asetek 550lc unit is half an inch below that with its radiator facing out.

Heres the LC unit. http://www.asetek.com/products/oem-s...cts/550lc.html
Now the picture on the site shows it at the very top of the system with a smaller tower, though i have a larger tower with the PSU at the top, and the LC unit right below it. But the tubes are correctly shown, and there is another fan on teh back of the radiator, and the mobo is indeed on the left side panel.

Also:

Is it a constant noise now? If you gently shake the PSU, do you hear something rattle?

Well like a stated before, the noise seems to fade in and out, though it seems to sound like more is shaking when it does make the sound now.

[The_Fan]

I would guess like the others it is a bearing in either the PSU or another fan close by (does the radiator have a fan - one of the pictures on your link shows a fan in front of the radiator).
Also Make sure all screws are tightly seated so vibration rattle is not what you may be hearing.

[Steforian]

I would guess like the others it is a bearing in either the PSU or another fan close by (does the radiator have a fan - one of the pictures on your link shows a fan in front of the radiator).
Also Make sure all screws are tightly seated so vibration rattle is not what you may be hearing.

There is a fan in-front of the 550lc unit (inside case), though I'm fairly sure its the PSU fan that's above it.

Edit: now its a metallic taping sound.... this keeps getting better.
Edit2: heres a pic i made (took many hours) of the basic layout of the PSU and LC unit in relation to each other

[The_Fan]

I would check both fans.....either could be the source and make sure you don't have a loose components (vibration).

Pull the radiator fan screws (leaving the power cable attached) and see if this fan is making the noise by pulling it as far away from the case as you can to check if it is making your noise. If it isn't then we are back to vibration or the PSU.

Note: you won't be able to see the PSU fan (as it is inside the PSU - sorry not trying to insult you, there are some who don't know it).

[Steforian]

I would check both fans.....either could be the source and make sure you don't have a loose components (vibration).

Pull the radiator fan screws (leaving the power cable attached) and see if this fan is making the noise by pulling it as far away from the case as you can to check if it is making your noise. If it isn't then we are back to vibration or the PSU.

Note: you won't be able to see the PSU fan (as it is inside the PSU - sorry not trying to insult you, there are some who don't know it).

I dont really know anymore, i took out the PSU and saw that its touchign the radiator, and i thought that was whats vibrating, so i moved it a bit higher so its not touching, thought it was fixed, yet its still making that metallic noise. All the screws are tightened.

[The_Fan]

If you are sure the noise is not coming from the radiator fan {see my earlier post about taking it loose and pulling it out of the box (power cable still attached) - then starting your computer and listening to see if it is the one making the noise}.
Then the PSU - or rather the fan that is inside the PSU is unfortunately the culprit.

PSU's generally have two fans http://www.dansdata.com/images/eg651p/inside400.jpg