Is it the PSU?

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My DIY Windows 11 desktop PC has begun making a sort of grinding noise for several minutes at a time. At first I thought a wire was interfering with a fan, which has happened before; but I don’t see that when I open it up. The noise has been getting more frequent and lengthier and does not always stop, as it did before, with a reboot. I think of the PSU as being one of the very few components with moving parts. If it’s the PSU I certainly want to replace it before it fails, but I’d also want to investigate if it might be something else.

Thoughts? It’s a 3 1/2 year old 850W EVGA SuperNova power supply and it’s been my experience from several earlier builds that the PSU is the most likely component to fail. Maybe this one has finally found its end of life. I’d appreciate any questions or comments. Thanks!

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PSU worn fan bearings? given the description..

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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Erik_S47

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Once established, IF, it happens to be the PSU fan bearings:
PSU’s are classed as non-serviceable
Health and safety first, before a quick brainstorm or lightning bolt!

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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Erik_S47

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I think of the PSU as being one of the very few components with moving parts.

Sadly, you told us very little about this computer. Yes, the PSU will have a cooling fan, but the case may have several. The CPU cooler likely has one too. And if you have hard drives (and not SSD), hard drives have motors (thus moving parts) too.

If this is the PSU fan, you should be able stick your ear by the exhaust vent and hear the noise coming from the PSU.

For your case and CPU fans, you can VERY CAREFULLY reach in and gently touch the center hub of the fans for just a second. This will cause the fan rotation speed to slow down and speed up momentarily and that should change the sound of the noise – letting you identify which fan is making the noise.

Hard to reach fans (including in the PSU) can be reached using a wooden Popsicle/glue stick.

The noise from drive motors (if you have more than one hard drive) can be more difficult to isolate because you cannot touch and slow down the motor, plus the sound often reverberates throughout the case. Often you can GENTLY rest your finger on the drive and “feel” the vibration. If you have more than one drive, unplug the power cable from the secondary fans.

You might also use the inner tube of a paper towel roll as a stethoscope.

If this is a drive motor making the noise, you need to back up any data files you don’t want to lose NOW – if not sooner.

Bill (AFE7Ret)
Freedom isn't free!

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Erik_S47

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Yes agree with others,sounds like a fan with a bad bearing. Anyway had a similar symptom but I would describe the noise more as a buzz or growl though. The noise went away after a shutdown and a restart. One time it was the PSU fan and one time was a CPU fan. Was only able to determine which one by running with the case open.

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Erik_S47

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Turn off the machine.
Open the case.
Stick something plastic in the fan to stop it rotating – cable tie etc.
Turn on the machine.
Is it quiet?
Remove the plastic thing.
Does it make noise?

cheers, Paul

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Erik_S47

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Any progress/ feedback on this @Erik_S47?
curious minds like to know..

Windows - commercial by definition and now function...

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Turns out it was a loose screw holding in a third party slot fan. Troubleshooting instructions were extremely helpful and I learned a lot.

Thanks everyone!

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Microfix

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