How common is the "buzzing coil issue" on Seasonic

Arto · Post by **Arto** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:44 am

I have what I believe is a faulty PSU(Seasonic S12-430).
It's got buzzing noise which I'm 100% sure is something inside the PSU(not the fan) and from what I've read it is probably the coil.
It's not that loud either and I haven't noticed it until I got my new passive heatsinks.

How common is this problem?

I will RMA the PSU but thinking of whether should I go for some other Seasonic PSU or go for some other brand.

I've also gotten a pretty loud whine from something on my motherboard(MB or CPU) since I installed Vista but that's another story wich doesn't belong here in the Power supplies section.

Flintz · Post by **Flintz** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 4:53 am

I can't really say how common it is, but I have a Corsair HX520W psu which is, as far as I understood, manufactured by Seasonic and I also get that buzzing. I am also thinking about getting RMA.

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 5:02 am

Welcome to SPCR, Arto!

I have used several SeaSonic PS units, and none have whined. It can be induced by electrical noise in your building -- dimmers and other devices (inside or outside of the computer) can sometimes cause it to happen. If it is outside, then a UPS (battery backup unit) can possibly help?

dfrost · Post by **dfrost** » Fri Jan 19, 2007 10:10 am

No whining or buzzing problems (or any other problems) with my early Yate Loon-fanned S12-430.

Ethyriel · Post by **Ethyriel** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 5:44 pm

Is anyone with a buzzing problem using a surge protector with line conditioning? I had all but decided on the HX520, but now you're making me have second thoughts...

casebuyer · Post by **casebuyer** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 11:58 pm

is this problem common

rei · Post by **rei** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 6:05 pm

it varies between mobos and video cards combined with your psu.

Thomas · Post by **Thomas** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 8:36 pm

My first Seasonic, a 330, buzzed. I RMA'ed it, and the second which is a 380, have been super quiet for about 6-7 months by now.

I cant say how common the problem is. But I'm very satisfied with my Seasonic.

Thomas

casebuyer · Post by **casebuyer** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 11:14 pm

can you explain what is rma
and how you do it

Post by **NeilBlanchard** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:01 am

Greetings,

RMA = Return Merchandise Authorization = the manufacturer has authorized the return of the item.

casebuyer · Post by **casebuyer** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 7:15 am

so he returned the faulty one and get a new one as far as i understand

Suspect · Post by **Suspect** » Wed Feb 07, 2007 5:52 pm

I have the 80% efficient version of the S12-600 and there is very minimal buzzing, which is only audible when I have my ear a couple inches away from the PSU. A couple months ago, I purchased the M12-700, and that PSU emitted a very loud buzz that is audible as far as 5 feet away from the PSU, very annoying, so I returned it to Fry's for an exchange, and the second one did the same thing, so I just returned that one as well and gave up on the M12's. Though I did contact Seasonic before I returned the PSU about my experience with the M12's over the phone, and they offered to replace the unit with an M12 that they would make sure didn't emit any buzzing, but I declined respectfully and decided to hang on to my S12-600.

Suspect · Post by **Suspect** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 1:24 pm

Just received my newest Seasonic, a S12-330 for my htpc and I'm not sure if its the 85% efficient version because the box says up to 80% but newegg had 85% for the specs, but it has sleeved wires thankfully. Plugged it into my gaming pc to test it and see if it emitted any buzzing noise, but this new PSU is actually a bit quieter than my S12-600, oh and no buzzing whatsoever.

slimeballzz · Post by **slimeballzz** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 2:15 pm

I have 3 Seasonic PSU's (S12-330, 430, and 500) that do not buzz.

I bought a HX520 last month and it made "ticking" noise (it wasn't the fan). Luckily I was able to exchange it and no issues since then.
I also bought a HX620 couple days ago and no buzzing.

Ethyriel · Post by **Ethyriel** » Sun Feb 11, 2007 10:10 am

This sucks. My HX520 didn't buzz out of the box, so I opened it up and threw in a Nexus fan so it can cool my CPU consistently. Now after I void the warranty it develops a louder and louder buzz over the course of a week, load or no load.

jedster · Post by **jedster** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 12:26 am

Suspect wrote:Though I did contact Seasonic before I returned the PSU about my experience with the M12's over the phone, and they offered to replace the unit with an M12 that they would make sure didn't emit any buzzing, but I declined respectfully and decided to hang on to my S12-600.

This is good news for me. I have an M12 700 that I bought from Fry's. Actually, I had 2. They both had loud buzzing when under low load. I only returned one of them, since the other one always had a reasonably high load. Now that Vista makes it so easy to completely turn off all my HDs, the M12 buzzes loudly -- so loudly that I elect to turn on the HDs to increase the load on the M12. I'm definitely going to RMA it to Seasonic.

I also just built a relatively low power HTPC for my grandparents using the NSK2400. The Antec-branded PSU also buzzes at low load, and I've read that Seasonic makes many of the Antec PSUs. Turning off Cool n Quiet on the PC stopped the buzzing and since the temps are decent on the box, I'm just going to leave it off so the PSU won't buzz.

tibetan mod king · Post by **tibetan mod king** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 4:04 am

Arto wrote:I have what I believe is a faulty PSU(Seasonic S12-430).
It's got buzzing noise which I'm 100% sure is something inside the PSU(not the fan) and from what I've read it is probably the coil.
It's not that loud either and I haven't noticed it until I got my new passive heatsinks.

How common is this problem?

I will RMA the PSU but thinking of whether should I go for some other Seasonic PSU or go for some other brand.

I've also gotten a pretty loud whine from something on my motherboard(MB or CPU) since I installed Vista but that's another story wich doesn't belong here in the Power supplies section.

I've bought about 8 of the S12-500 and S12-600 power supplies and one S12-330. No buzzing, although some of the earlier models had louder fans. I would return the power supply to Seasonic and try a replacement. The RMA process is used to return your power supply and get another one from Seasonic.

If you think the problem with your power supply is coming from your AC (not likely, but possible), then what you need is an isolation transformer. That will clean up the line for you. This is what hospitals use to make sure medical equipment has clean power.

Tripp Lite makes several isolation transformer models that are commonly available and work well. All mainstream consumer/business UPS systems are poorly made with cheap parts and outboard filtration and isolation is worthwhile insurance in many situations. Unless you spend a lot of money with Furman/Monster/etc, you aren't going to get anything much beyond a glorified power strip. This is why hospitals use isolation transformers -- because they really work.

http://tripplite.com/products/condition ... ormers.cfm

Code: Select all

Isolator Series UL60601-1 Listed Medical Grade Isolation Transformers offer line isolation, continuous noise filtering and enhanced common mode surge suppression. An internal low-impedance isolation transformer component offers 100% isolation from the input AC line. Full UL60601-1 medical-grade listing with hospital-grade plug and outlet receptacles makes Isolator medical-grade transformers ideal for protection of sensitive electronic equipment in patient-care areas. Faraday shield reduces the cumulative leakage current of the Isolator and connected equipment to levels less than 100 microamps. Secondary neutral-to-ground bonding virtually eliminates common mode noise, providing an isolated neutral-ground reference for sensitive equipment, and an inexpensive alternative to dedicated circuits and site electrical upgrades. Removes EMI/RFI noise, utility switching transients and harmonics generated by other on-site loads and utility or lightning related surge conditions. Additional surge suppression components placed at the line input and output combined with full line isolation offer continuous filtering of a full range of power line noise in all modes. Active transformer filtering provides continuous common-mode noise rejection with no wearable parts. Unique ability to reduce surges in the worst of power environments to harmless levels. Reduces 6000V IEEE587 Cat A&B ring wave and combination wave test surges to only 0.5V common mode. Model IS1000HG includes 4 widely spaced NEMA 5-15R hospital-grade output receptacles, a 6-ft. power cord, hospital-grade input plug, circuit breaker overload protection, and lighted power switch. Rugged all-metal unit housing; ships ready for placement in any industrial, medical, office or network environment. 2-year warranty.

Currently I use isolation transformers on all my systems. As they will typically last 15-25 years, they offer a very good value beyond the (priceless) peace of mind

continuum · Post by **continuum** » Wed Feb 14, 2007 11:07 am

Did you say Monster? :scared:

Tripplite is good... who else makes 'em, tho? I don't see any smaller desktop-sized units on Powerware's site...

openwheelformula1 · Post by **openwheelformula1** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 10:05 am

I got my s-12 380 yesterday. This is my 3rd Seasonic power supply. The previous 2 were flawless (380 and 500).

This one however, has a very annoying high pitch buzzing sound. It's not the fan either. Something inside the PSU is making this noise. I got it from case-mod.com which has a very bad returning policy (restocking fee). Not sure what to do from here, I'll wait and see if the noise goes away.

openwheelformula1 · Post by **openwheelformula1** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 1:35 pm

UPDATE:

turns out Seasonic USA is located next town. LOL I'll just walk over and drop off the RMA then...

Aris · Post by **Aris** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 2:17 pm

Never had a seasonic buzz on me yet.

If the power in your area is dirty, it can cause things to buzz when they normally wouldnt. Also other load devices in your house can cause things to buzz.

A UPS battery backup will take care of any dirty power issues.

I recommend APC.

openwheelformula1 · Post by **openwheelformula1** » Wed Feb 21, 2007 9:17 pm

I tested w/ 2 another psu. Only buzzing with my new Seasonic. I am pretty sure it's the psu in my case.

sslamster · Post by **sslamster** » Thu Feb 22, 2007 12:34 pm

Hello all:

Please see this topic as it may address some of your questions and concerns:

viewtopic.php?t=37023

casebuyer · Post by **casebuyer** » Sat Nov 24, 2007 11:25 am

so is there anymore buzz or not
I might buy one of these s12 models

DG · Post by DG » Tue Nov 27, 2007 1:25 pm

I had 2 Seasonic psus in the past, one 400w and one s12. Both had coil noise. I bought a Antec Neo 430HE, and is dead silent.

This is only my experience, so take it with a grain of salt.

Engineer · Post by **Engineer** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:39 am

S12+ 550 model here. It's whine was driving me crazy. I noticed it less when I was running CPU intensive applications so I turned off the power saving features of the Core 2 Duo chip and it lowered. I finally went to Radio Shack, bought 3 10W power resistors, soldered them in series to a Molex plug and hooked them up. Presto, no more whine. Of course, I'm burning power now but at least I don't have to listen to the damn whine.

jaganath · Post by **jaganath** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 5:39 am

by contrast, i must have had 9-10 S12s (330/380/430) never any buzz or whine. all in low-power PCs, <70W.

casebuyer · Post by **casebuyer** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 7:27 am

as far as I learn there are revisions of seasonic
do you have the latest a3 revisions

How common is the "buzzing coil issue" on Seasonic

How common is the "buzzing coil issue" on Seasonic

I've RMA'ed one, the second worked

Re: How common is the "buzzing coil issue" on Seas