PSU makes high pitched noise only in menu

[Yoon]

So I decided to get this game and try it out, but when I got through the introduction I noticed a high pitched noise coming from my computer which changed in pitch as I moused over different buttons in the menu. It happens only in the menu.In game and in the benchmark this doesn't happen. I've turned the sound completely off on my speakers to see if it could be an effect from in game but even with them off and muted the psu still makes the noise and it's worrying me. I've heard that noise could mean there is a bad capacitor and can cause system failure but I'm not sure why the menu of all things would do this, my computer does not struggle to run metro on max or this game on max but the menu causes the psu to freak out. If it might be a hardware configuration I'll list my parts in case that helps.

Asrock mobo
intel i5 ivybridge (not overclocked)
gtx680 msi twinfrozr
samsung spinpoint harddrive
corsair LP ram 8gb
windows 7 ultimate 64bit
And the PSU is a corsair tx650 non modular.

[Screechy]

I used to have this problem when looking at menus in certain games, I managed to fix it by turning on v-sync within the game or forcing it on via the NVIDIA control panel.

[JJ0]

It is most likely just a choke or transformer "ringing". That means it's windings will emit a certain audible frequncy when certain conditions are met. Usually this indicates NO problem at all - you are simply noting a change of load on your PSU by something visual on the screen, that's the indicator. I started a career in electronics in the late 70's and have noted this behavoir hundreds of times in all sorts of equipment.

[Gradius]

Probably your graphics card not your PSU. Often developers don't cap the frame rate on menus so your graphics card will try to render 2000 odd frames a second, resulting in a whining noises. Not dangerous but a little annoying.

[shadoom]

same happens on the minecraft menus or when you get disconnected
and yes what gradius said

[JJ0]

Gradius, that is absolutely misinformation in regards to this problem. As I said above, I've seen this behavoir in all sorts of electronics since the 1970's when i started my career (yes I am old).
It will be a Choke or Transformer "ringing" on it's core due to the change in current loading. The PSU will have these components aswell as the Motherboard and Graphics card having Chokes in their power circuitry.

If you want to learn more:- Google/Bing about noisy transformer windings or chokes.

It usually happens when a transformer has slightly loose windings or a Choke has been wound loosely and/or it hasn't been "locked" with hot glue or varnish. When the right circumstances are met by the slightest change in loading through these components they may start to ring/resonate - sometimes you can hear it, sometimes you can't.

As I said above, I've experienced this on TV, Video, Hifi, Pc Components probably hundreds of times. Occasionally on old electronics it can be an indicator that a capacitor has started changing value (ie on it's way to become faulty).

With Corsair using good manufacturers such as Seasonic and CWT to build their PSU's I'd be surprised unless it's very old and been loaded near to it's current capacity for it's life time, that it is a faulty capacitor issue.

[Yoon]

Thanks for all the replies. As FreakyScreechy mentioned, turning on VSync seemed to have fixed the problem.

[FunkyCold]

It sounds like you may be experiencing coil whine on your GPU: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coil_noise
I've got a Palit Jetstream GTX 680 and this happens to me too on a few games where FPS is unlocked in menus. As said before, turning on Vsync should get rid of it.

[JJ0]

Originally posted by MrMushroomCloud:

Thanks for all the replies. As FreakyScreechy mentioned, turning on VSync seemed to have fixed the problem.

Changing Video settings can just be enough to alter the current loading, either through the Video card, Motherboard or Power supply. V-Sync Per-se is not the problem!

A colder or hotter ambient temperature may alter the noise, or changing things like screen resolution could well alter the noise too. Basically anything that alters the loading profile can either make a loosely wound choke (or not hot glued) ring/buzz or make a buzz that is already present go away.

It's just when a combination of factors subtly alter that you can hear a noise - practically any setting, setup or condition can change that.

[Mr Rosenberg]

im having this problem now !!!!!!! msi r9 270x , amd fx 4100 , antec 450w psu 80 plus gold ( i can play bf4 on ultra no sweat so its not my psu ) msi 760gm-p23(fx)