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Strange clicking noise

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  • 23-11-2018 7:50pm
    #1
    Bemused
    Registered Users Posts: 597 ✭✭✭


    Hi all,

    I have a new (1 month) pc build that is running fine and performing well. I get this strange clicking noise periodically (attached - very low volume) that seems to stop entirely when I am playing games. Any ideas what might be causing it?

    Thanks in advance for any replies.


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    #2
    Gadgetman496
    Registered Users Posts: 8,398 ✭✭✭Gadgetman496


    Bemused wrote: »
    Hi all,

    I have a new (1 month) pc build that is running fine and performing well. I get this strange clicking noise periodically (attached - very low volume) that seems to stop entirely when I am playing games. Any ideas what might be causing it?

    Thanks in advance for any replies.

    Possible sticking head on hard drive. If you have a mechanical HDD (SATA or Non SSD) you should backup any mission critical data.

    "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."



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    #3
    Bemused
    Registered Users Posts: 597 ✭✭✭Bemused


    Gadgetman496 wrote: »
    Possible sticking head on hard drive. If you have a mechanical HDD (SATA or Non SSD) you should backup any mission critical data.

    I have my operating system on an SSD and only use the HDD for games. I may back up my saves though. I thought it is a HDD issue too but then why does it only happen sometimes and why does it disappear entirely when I'm gaming or running a demanding application?


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    #4
    Gadgetman496
    Registered Users Posts: 8,398 ✭✭✭Gadgetman496


    Bemused wrote: »
    I have my operating system on an SSD and only use the HDD for games. I may back up my saves though. I thought it is a HDD issue too but then why does it only happen sometimes and why does it disappear entirely when I'm gaming or running a demanding application?

    The drive arm might struggle to move initially but once it does all works fine until it parks again.

    "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."



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    #5
    Bemused
    Registered Users Posts: 597 ✭✭✭Bemused


    Gadgetman496 wrote: »
    The drive arm might struggle to move initially but once it does all works fine until it parks again.

    Actually just took a more careful listen there and I am 99% that the sound is coming from the PSU - it's a seasonic focus plus gold modular unit.


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    #6
    Gadgetman496
    Registered Users Posts: 8,398 ✭✭✭Gadgetman496


    Bemused wrote: »
    So should I leave it alone until it fails (assuming I am not bothered by losing data on the drive) or replace it now?

    Why don't you disconnect the power and data cables from it ans see if the clicking stops, just to confirm?

    If it is the drive and your sure there's nothing mission critical on it, use it till it fails.

    "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."



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    #7
    Bemused
    Registered Users Posts: 597 ✭✭✭Bemused


    Think I may have found the problem. My PSU has a button to allow for smart fan use. I switched that off and clicking (so far) is gone.


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    #8
    mordeith
    Registered Users Posts: 5,278 ✭✭✭mordeith


    Bemused wrote: »
    Think I may have found the problem. My PSU has a button to allow for smart fan use. I switched that off and clicking (so far) is gone.

    Possible the fan is operating at full whack during gaming so you can't hear it. Must be just dodgy bearing or something that you can only hear at lower revs?


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    #9
    scamalert
    Registered Users Posts: 3,739 ✭✭✭scamalert


    clicking i would guessed hdd going on its way out but since you mentioned psu that could be the culprit, depending how long you had it wouldn't do harm to blast it with some compressed air to get all dust out, while you say it goes away still id imagine it should be pretty silent.


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