Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in
Your question
Solved

MSI GTX 970 Coil Whine?

Tags:
  • Gtx
  • Graphics Cards
  • MSI
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
Share
28 September 2014 22:02:01

Hello all,

I received my 2x MSI GTX 970s this weekend and I noticed a slight coil whine (I think) during 3d Mark Firestrike test. I love how they perform...getting great test numbers...but if I take the side panel off the case I notice a low ticking noise during the graphics tests where I don't get that noise during the physics test.

I'm not too sure if this is actually a coil whine or not, it's not very loud, but it is a noticeable ticking/buzzing kind of noise that I think classifies as coil whine.

Anyway is this a defect? Should I send these cards back and get different ones or a different brand perhaps? I really like MSI's cards so I don't want to switch brand or return these if this is something people have experienced and possibly fixed.

Thanks

More about : msi gtx 970 coil whine

a c 91 U Graphics card
28 September 2014 22:09:25

Coil whine happens. It's not considered a defect, and manufacturers don't take many steps to eliminate it, because most people don't care about it or can't hear it over their ridiculously loud computer.

My GTX 670 does the same thing, as do most high end cards.
m
0
l
28 September 2014 22:20:57

yeah I did some other tests....

Just ran CSGO and didn't hear any whine
Ran Bioshock Infinite Benchmark and only heard a very very low ticking noise

I have seen the video of Linus's Coil Whine demonstration and this is nothing like that...it's not even really a whine...it's a slight ticking noise...

Also I'm seeing that PSU can effect it, but I have a 1000W Cooler Master Silent Pro Gold...and I don't think that's what is doing it...even though my PSU is about 2 years old.
m
0
l
Related resources
Can't find your answer ? Ask !
a c 91 U Graphics card
28 September 2014 22:47:31

I know exactly what noise you're talking about; my card does it when I stress it as well.

Your PSU should be fine - the issue is how clean the power it produces is, which since we both have very good quality power supplies, shouldn't be an issue. It's just something that happens.
m
0
l
28 September 2014 23:47:48

terry4536 said:
Hear is a video that may help answer your question.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP73edpQwgc

A ticking sound sounds like a fan problem to me.


that's the exact video I was talking about...what I have is nothing like that

also I don't see it being a fan issue...I looked and nothing is interfering with the fans...also if it was the fans then it wouldn't be doing it only during high stress tests...

It literally happens on FireStrike test in between the tests...so it clearly has something to do with the card itself...I guess it could just be a normal occurance like darksable is saying. Also the fan profile is manually set so I know that the fans aren't just kicking up during the test...which I figured could be the test due to these fans not spinning until a certain temp when on auto
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
29 September 2014 00:01:42

There is an easy test to determine if it is a fan. When you hear the noise, simply put your finger on the hub of the each fan (or turn off fans that you cant get to). If the noise changes or stops, then you have your culprit.

Coil whine is usually described as a high pitched or buzzing type of noise.
m
0
l
29 September 2014 00:08:01

with this card the fans will turn off if I keep it on auto while I'm idle on desktop...and the noise doesn't appear when turning them on or off...I have heard of this though in order to check if the fans are unbalanced, but due to the fact that I did turn them on and off and nothing happened I'm pretty sure it's not that...good suggestion though!

Yeah what I have is def not a whine noise...it's almost a buzz...more of a constant ticking noise though
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
29 September 2014 00:16:27

By the way, I am also looking at the GTX 970. With your experience, would you recommend the MSI gaming or Asus Strix (Gigabyte is also in the running)?
m
0
l

Best solution

a c 91 U Graphics card
29 September 2014 00:32:40

Guinibee, again, I know exactly the sound you're talking about, and I can guarantee, terry, that it's not a fan issue - my entire system is watercooled. :p 

It's a relatively rapid, low pitched clicking that increases in volume as GPU load increases. When I was trying to eliminate it, before I gave up, I was half convinced that what I was hearing was the clock cycles themselves, but no. I have good hearing, but nobody has that good hearing. (And it wouldn't sound anything like that.) From my research it appears to be analogous to coil whine, and is very common on more powerful graphics cards that have a higher power draw to push through the circuitry.
Share
a b U Graphics card
29 September 2014 00:39:30

terry4536 said:
By the way, I am also looking at the GTX 970. With your experience, would you recommend the MSI gaming or Asus Strix (Gigabyte is also in the running)?


MSI is the apparent winner, but if I have any issues with mine I'm exchanging it for the Strix.
m
0
l
29 September 2014 01:39:32

terry4536 said:
By the way, I am also looking at the GTX 970. With your experience, would you recommend the MSI gaming or Asus Strix (Gigabyte is also in the running)?


I love the MSI cards! I have the core clock boosted to 1500+ and it dominates on benchmarks...especially in SLI...I'm thoroughly impressed. It feels like a solid card too, designed well, high end components...only issue is that it doesn't have a backplate...which is meh...but it's not a big deal.

m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
29 September 2014 03:33:04

Quote:
Guinibee, again, I know exactly the sound you're talking about, and I can guarantee, terry, that it's not a fan issue - my entire system is watercooled. :p 

It's a relatively rapid, low pitched clicking that increases in volume as GPU load increases. When I was trying to eliminate it, before I gave up, I was half convinced that what I was hearing was the clock cycles themselves, but no. I have good hearing, but nobody has that good hearing. (And it wouldn't sound anything like that.) From my research it appears to be analogous to coil whine, and is very common on more powerful graphics cards that have a higher power draw to push through the circuitry.


My point is that if it is a fan, it is a relatively easy fix. On the other hand if it is electronic noise, there isn't much to do about it other than replacing the card.

Your point that the noise changes with the amount of stress on the computer is common to "coil whine". In the video I linked, the noise would change frequency just with the movement of the mouse.
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
29 September 2014 03:55:17

Quote:

terry4536 said:
By the way, I am also looking at the GTX 970. With your experience, would you recommend the MSI gaming or Asus Strix (Gigabyte is also in the running)?


I love the MSI cards! I have the core clock boosted to 1500+ and it dominates on benchmarks...especially in SLI...I'm thoroughly impressed. It feels like a solid card too, designed well, high end components...only issue is that it doesn't have a backplate...which is meh...but it's not a big deal.


I have had good luck with EVGA graphics cards in the past, but I'm not happy with GTX 970 cooler from EVGA. The 770 and 780 graphics cards from Asus had a much better reputation than MSI or Gigabyte. That is why I'm leaning towards the Asus Strix even though it doesn't seem to overclock quite as high as the MSI. But I wouldn't run it overclocked "balls to the wall" anyway.

And I like the quiet features of both the Asus and MSI GTX970.
m
0
l
a c 91 U Graphics card
29 September 2014 07:16:31

You are correct that it's a fairly easy fix if it's a fan - I was just pointing out that it's not a fan. I also, if you re-read my posts, said the exact same thing you just restated - that it's an electronic issue that manufacturers ignore and can't be fixed by the user.

Replacing the card just means you're taking another gamble and praying you happen to get a card without the issue.

Also, this is a distinct issue from coil whine. I'm very aware of what it sounds like, but this is a separate issue; it's a low pitched clicking or ticking noise. It sounds like something physical moving back and forth, rather than a capacitor having an issue. (And I stress that it occurs even on a graphics card with no moving parts.)

The Asus Strix is very nice for silence, but even it doesn't compare to a 980 with the stock cooler.
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
29 September 2014 07:35:04

I got my MSI. I have bad coil whine too. Hello ASUS!
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
29 September 2014 07:39:12

Haven't noticed any coil whine on my EVGA Superclocked ACX 2.0. I'm satisfied with it so far.:p 
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
29 September 2014 10:40:31

Quote:
The Asus Strix is very nice for silence, but even it doesn't compare to a 980 with the stock cooler.

I like the EVGA reference cooler as well. With the GTX 980, the RPM of the reference blower fan would be low and relatively quiet plus it forces the heat out of the case. I just can't justify the extra $200 expense ( but I was ready to spend that amount on a GTX 780 SC if these new cards didn't turn out well.)
m
0
l
30 September 2014 06:43:50

i have exact same issue with MSI GTX 970, i know what noise you are talk about, my card produces two kinds of sound, one is the sound from the youtube video, the other is kind of ticking sound.
Both of the sounds are not from the fans, but the card itself.
I am using 750W PSU, if I change to a 500W PSU the noise could be greatly reduced.
So i consider it is incompatibility between the PSU and card, because the high end cards are really sensitive to PSU. In conclusion, another PSU or another card. It's your call.
m
0
l
30 September 2014 07:22:19

At a guess it the power phase switching of the card
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
30 September 2014 09:26:38

The GPU is powered by the 12V DC output of the power supply, so their is no power phase switching (that I know of anyway) on the graphics card. From my understanding the noise is a byproduct of charging the capacitors on the GPU board, a harmonic oscillation. But that doesn't really explain a clicking sound.
m
0
l
30 September 2014 09:41:29

terry4536 said:
The GPU is powered by the 12V DC output of the power supply, so their is no power phase switching (that I know of anyway) on the graphics card. From my understanding the noise is a byproduct of charging the capacitors on the GPU board, a harmonic oscillation. But that doesn't really explain a clicking sound.

GPU j cores and its memory ust like the CPU do not running off of 12v they run off much smaller voltages aand they use power phases to reduce the voltage
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
30 September 2014 09:43:59

Apparently it can be caused by the PSU, but I have an EVGA G2 750W which is supposed to be amazing so I don't think that's the cause.
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
30 September 2014 11:16:18

The power supply has a wire coil which can vibrate generating noise, hence the term "coil whine".
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
30 September 2014 11:20:18

I know, my PSU has a TINY bit of coil whine, but I can only hear it with my ear touching the PSU.
I don't think it's the issue, my Gigabyte 760 is 100% fine.
m
0
l
30 September 2014 17:15:43

Some video cards like this only coil whine against some specific PSU, but i don't blame PSU. As long as the noise is coming from the card, it is video card's fault, regardless the quality of PSU.
A good video card should just work out of the box. I have already returned my MSI GTX 970 and I am going to Asus. If it "Coil whines" again, i will consider to change PSU.
m
0
l
30 September 2014 19:34:39

after a couple days of gaming I haven't even heard the clicking/ticking noise again...it was only during FireStrike...I'm over it...the MSI cards are quite awesome...

The only thing that would sway me is possibly the EVGA FTW cards which seemed to have fixed the cooling issue they had...I've always loved EVGA...I just don't know if it's worth it to return these MSI cards after I already returned EVGA cards and voided an ASUS Strix order as well lol
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
30 September 2014 19:57:14

That's good to hear :)  does it still make the noise though? I boxed my 970 up ready to send back but now I'm having doubts about wether I should send it in or not.
m
0
l
30 September 2014 20:29:26

Alex Kelly said:
That's good to hear :)  does it still make the noise though? I boxed my 970 up ready to send back but now I'm having doubts about wether I should send it in or not.


seriously I just dropped mine off to be shipped tomorrow - if all I had to do was play games to get rid of the noise I would kick myself non stop.
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
30 September 2014 22:14:58

Hopefully the noise will stay away. As for shipping it back, you generally have 30 days to make up you mind on the RMA (your retailer may differ). I would say if it is really annoying then do so.
m
0
l
1 October 2014 16:54:37

The only noise I've ever had was during Firestrike and it wasn't too bad... I def had none of the "whine"... During games it's totally fine.

To tell you the truth I still am on the fence with keeping these vs evga ftw cards or even swapping to gigabyte... I'm so indecisive with these cards. Usually I get evga and call it done but with the 970 I can't seem to make up my mind :-(

But no the "coil whine" never appears in games and the cards seem good outside of that...
m
0
l
2 October 2014 03:44:10

well now I'm a little concerned after I heard someone else with almost the exact same sound on Tomshardware get this issue with the Gigabyte card....I went ahead and recorded the sound...

https://soundcloud.com/matthew-ferrusi/gpu-msi-gtx-970-...

if anyone could let me know if that's coil whine or any kind of defect that would be awesome...

again it's only when I run FireStrike...during gaming there's no sound
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
2 October 2014 04:14:59

I couldn't really discern much over the fan noise in the recording.
m
0
l
2 October 2014 05:24:57

Yes that is the tick noise I heard from my card, definitely coil wine, but your noise level is not very high.
m
0
l
2 October 2014 11:26:41

You think I should be swapping to a different card yangsx? Is this a defect? It isn't even audible until you get close to the case or take the side panel off and you only hear it during Firestrike... I've never heard it in a game
m
0
l
2 October 2014 11:57:50

I have got a full refund for the money paid for my MSI GTX970 it's a bit desperate accepting a noisy broken card...

Let's hope new series will be better...

Have you tried to contact the store and get a refund?
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
2 October 2014 13:44:30

^ I sent mine to them yesterday, but I also sent them something else that was faulty, they told me they sent me a brand new one but said it had no tracking number which seems very suspicious and I still haven't received it. So scared I've been ripped off $750AUD :( 
m
0
l
2 October 2014 15:55:15

Guinibee said:
You think I should be swapping to a different card yangsx? Is this a defect? It isn't even audible until you get close to the case or take the side panel off and you only hear it during Firestrike... I've never heard it in a game


Maybe you can accept yours if it is not audible in game but I have returned mine for a refund.
m
0
l
2 October 2014 17:24:56

Well I got it from Newegg and I have Newegg premier... So returns within 30 days and no restocking fee... I can do it but then I'll be on the hunt for another video card... Should I stick with msi or try someone else? I do like everything about the msi card except for that and no backplate
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
2 October 2014 18:15:38

Guinibee said:
Well I got it from Newegg and I have Newegg premier... So returns within 30 days and no restocking fee... I can do it but then I'll be on the hunt for another video card... Should I stick with msi or try someone else? I do like everything about the msi card except for that and no backplate


I'm in the same boat! I think I'll be going with ASUS, but like you I like everything about the MSI except for no backplate & the whine. I just don't want to risk getting another whiner and having to deal with the warranty crap again.
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
2 October 2014 20:28:41

I've generally had good luck with Newegg. I've had excellent luck with Amazon. I'm just waiting for the Asus Strix 970 card to become available, it's sold out everywhere.
m
0
l
2 October 2014 21:04:02

terry4536 said:
I've generally had good luck with Newegg. I've had excellent luck with Amazon. I'm just waiting for the Asus Strix 970 card to become available, it's sold out everywhere.


Waiting for it to be stocked on Amazon, I am sure they are waiting as they are not stupid to put on sales cards that people would return so I am confident that when they do sell it they will be good...

Or I will buy a PS4 I swear lol.... PC Graphic Cards maker are clearly taking the piss
m
0
l
2 October 2014 22:08:04

Guys Newegg has msi on sale right now! Just grabbed 2 more and returning my "whiners"... Hopefully this version works otherwise I'm waiting for gigabyte or more evga ftw reviews
m
0
l
3 October 2014 02:38:32

I actually got 2 gigabyte cards as well so I can go ahead and test each brand. I will just return the ones I don't need...newegg premier ftw :) .
m
0
l
a b U Graphics card
3 October 2014 02:49:12

That sounds expensive.
m
0
l
3 October 2014 03:45:01

terry4536 said:
That sounds expensive.


yeah it is...but only temporarily...I'll just return whichever I don't choose...but at least this way I have no regrets and I'll figure out which one I truly want and hopefully after 6 cards I can get 2 that don't have coil whine or ticking noises etc
m
0
l
3 October 2014 08:24:02

I'm having the EXACT same issue on my newly bought MSI GTX 980 (Reference Design). I haven't used MSI in ages and am considering swapping for EVGA.

@Guinibee:
Did swapping brands help? Is the noise gone? What brand did you go with in the end?

@DarkSable:
What brands of cards have you experienced this noise with? Do you also have an MSI?

Thanks!
m
0
l
a c 91 U Graphics card
3 October 2014 09:09:27

Bear in mind that the 980s are all reference cards... meaning it pretty much doesn't matter who the "manufacturer" is.

sc2071, my current card that's giving me this is an EVGA 670... except that it's built on the reference gtx 680 PCB.

This is simply an issue with higher end cards, and there's nothing you can do about it but hope you don't get a card that does it if you're one of the folks who notices it.

EDIT: Or, you know, be a rich SOB like Guinibee there, who has enough cash reserved to be able to buy six cards and pick the best two to keep.
m
0
l
3 October 2014 15:27:36

DarkSable said:
Bear in mind that the 980s are all reference cards... meaning it pretty much doesn't matter who the "manufacturer" is.

sc2071, my current card that's giving me this is an EVGA 670... except that it's built on the reference gtx 680 PCB.

This is simply an issue with higher end cards, and there's nothing you can do about it but hope you don't get a card that does it if you're one of the folks who notices it.

EDIT: Or, you know, be a rich SOB like Guinibee there, who has enough cash reserved to be able to buy six cards and pick the best two to keep.


Lol I actually cancelled my Gigabyte order. I figured I love the MSI cards and outside of the ticking noise problem if the two new ones don't make the noise, I'll keep those and return the first two and be fine. Now if they DO make the noise, then I will quickly hop ship to Gigabyte.

Honestly I've spent the last two weeks non stop researching which brand of this card to get and I've found issues with all of them. I think the safest bet is MSI or Gigabyte, but it seems people are getting issues with all of them.

m
0
l
5 October 2014 19:45:10

Well I went ahead and tested my GTX 670 EVGA cards to see if I could hear a coil buzzing noise like the MSI cards and low and behold during FireStrike I'm getting the noise with them as well. I guess I just never noticed because the fans on those cards were so loud and I never ran a benchmark on those cards.

this leads me to believe either this is very normal and everyone just hasn't noticed until now because of how quiet the MSI cards run, or something else is going on in my PC that needs fixing...mobo or PSU are my first thoughts. I can't believe it's anything in my computer though seeing as a LOT of people have the buzzing noise...
m
0
l
      • 1 / 2
      • 2
      • Newest