It’s the end of an era. The iconic, piercing coil whine that has accompanied PC gaming for as long as we can remember is finally becoming a thing of the past.
With new advancements in motherboard design and AI processing, developers have found ways to completely eliminate coil whine from the equation.
But what if your motherboard is one of the few that still suffer from this issue? In this article, we’ll show you how to fix coil whine in 2022. So whether you’re experiencing it for the first time or trying to find a solution for an old problem, read on!
What is coil whine and why should you care about it?
Coil whine is a high-pitched noise that can come from your computer’s power supply, graphics card, or motherboard. It’s caused by electrical interference inside the components, and it can be a sign that something is wrong.
If you’re hearing a coil whine, it does not necessarily cause alarm. However, if the noise is constant or getting worse, it could be a sign of hardware failure. In that case, you should take your PC to a qualified technician for diagnosis and repairs.
There are a few things you can do to reduce coil whine, including:
- Use a lower resolution or refresh rate on your monitor.
- Turn off any LED lighting on your PC components.
- Make sure your graphics card is properly seated in its slot.
- Use a power supply with active PFC.
If you’re still experiencing coil whine after taking these steps, you may need to replace your affected component. In some cases, it may be covered under a warranty. Coil whine is a relatively common issue, and it does usually not cause alarm.
However, if the noise is constant or getting worse, it could be a sign of hardware failure. In that case, you should take your PC to a qualified technician for diagnosis and repairs.
The different ways to fix coil whine, including some DIY methods:
Use a sound card: Some people have found that using a sound card can help to reduce or eliminate coil whine.
Change the power supply: If you have a modular power supply, try changing out the modules until you find one that doesn’t cause coil whine. Alternatively, you can try a different brand of power supply altogether.
Add shielding: Shielding your PC components can help to reduce the amount of electromagnetic interference that they’re subject to, and thus reduce the amount of coil whine.
Change the graphics card: In some cases, changing the graphics card can help to reduce coil whine. It’s important to note, however, that this may not work for all cards or all configurations.
Replace the motherboard: In some extreme cases, the only way to eliminate coil whine may be to replace the entire motherboard. This should only be done as a last resort, however, as it is usually quite expensive.
How to prevent coil whine from happening in the first place?
Coil whine is caused by an electrical current passing through a coil of wire. The coil acts as an antenna, picking up the electromagnetic field generated by the current and converting it into sound.
There are a few things you can do to prevent coil whine from happening in the first place:
- Use thicker gauge wire for your coils. This will reduce the amount of current passing through the coil, and therefore the amount of electromagnetic field generated.
- Use multiple coils in parallel. This will also reduce the amount of current passing through each individual coil, and therefore the amount of electromagnetic field generated.
- Use a shielded cable for your coils. This will prevent the electromagnetic field from radiating out from the coil, and therefore reduce the amount of sound that is generated.
- Use a damping material such as silicone gel or foam around your coils. This will absorb some of the sounds that are generated by the coil, and reduce the amount that you can hear it.
Some tips for buying a new motherboard that doesn’t have coil whine:
- Do your research on which motherboards are known to have coil whine and which ones don’t. There are plenty of forum posts and YouTube videos detailing this information.
- When you’re looking at different motherboards, compare their price and features. Sometimes, a more expensive motherboard will have less coil whine because it uses higher quality components.
- Check the reviews of the motherboard you’re interested in. Many times, people will mention if there is a coil whine or not.
- Coil whine is usually not harmful to your motherboard, but it can be annoying. It’s important to remember that just because a motherboard has coil whine doesn’t mean it’s a bad motherboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is coil whine on motherboard bad?
Despite the fact that coil whine might sound like your computer is having a problem, it is not harmful or dangerous to your computer.
Does coil whine cause damage?
Your card is not damaged by coil whine, and it doesn’t affect its longevity or performance. When power passes through an inductor, it causes a vibration in the coil. An expensive graphics card would have ten or more large inductors powering its critical components.
How do I get rid of the coil whine on my motherboard?
Replacing the motherboard is the solution. It would be preferable if the motherboard was from a different brand since chances are that another motherboard of the same brand and model will have the same issue. Lessen: For a less annoying coil whine noise, increase the white noise in your room.
Is GPU coil whine safe?
The whine from coils is perfectly safe and doesn’t impact the lifespan of any components
Is coil whine bad PSU?
A coil whine is not always indicative of hardware problems. Having an abundance of power going through your hardware can cause parts of your hardware to vibrate, but this does not mean anything is coming loose or damaged.
Final Words
Coil whine has been a hot topic lately, and for good reason. While it might not be the end of the world if your PC is plagued with this noise, it can still be frustrating to deal with.
If you’re experiencing coil whine on your motherboard, don’t worry – we have a few tips to help you fix the issue. Let us know in the comments section how well these fixes worked for you, or if you have any other solutions that worked better for you!
