Coil Whine
5 mins
Easy
Have you ever noticed a faint whining noise coming from your computer or other electronic devices? This phenomenon is known as coil whine, and it's a normal occurrence in devices that contain inductors, also known as 'coils.'
What is Coil Whine?
Coil whine is a physical phenomenon that occurs when an electrical current passes through a wire, causing it to vibrate and produce a high-pitched noise. This noise is typically described as a whining sound and can be more noticeable in higher-end hardware components such as discrete graphics cards or high-end CPUs.
When Does Coil Whine Happen?
● Higher Power Usage: Devices that consume more power and operate under heavier loads, like powerful graphics cards or CPUs, are more likely to exhibit coil whine.
● Noise Conditions: In most cases, coil whine is not audible due to the presence of fan noise or audio output. However, it may become noticeable in quiet environments or during heavy GPU usage, such as gaming sessions.
Dealing with Coil Whine
● Indicator: Often labeled as "VGA" or "VGA_LED."
● Mitigation Strategies: While coil whine may diminish over time, you can try enabling V-Sync and limiting frame rates as potential ways to reduce the noise.
Identifying Excessive Coil Whine:
● Characteristics: Excessive coil whine is typically defined as being audible from approximately 1.5 metres away, even with the case fully closed, as detected through a microphone.
● If you believe that the coil whine in your device is excessive or disruptive, get in touch with us or the component manufacturer for assistance.
Refer to the Indicators
● Refer to the indicators mentioned above to understand the specific issue each light represents. Your motherboard manual may provide additional details specific to your model.
● Depending on which light stays lit or blinks, take the corresponding troubleshooting steps. This might involve reseating components, checking power connections, updating the BIOS, or replacing faulty hardware.