Coil Whine – What It Is and What to Expect

Coil whine is a known characteristic of modern high-performance PC components, particularly graphics cards and power supplies. It is not a fault and does not indicate damage or reduced lifespan.

What is coil whine?

Coil whine is a high-pitched electrical noise that can occur when components are under load. It is caused by vibrations within electrical coils as power is delivered through the system. Some describe it as a "buzzing" sound.

It is most commonly noticed:

• At very high frame rates (e.g. game menus or uncapped FPS) - this is the "hallmark" of coil whine
• During sudden changes in load
• In quiet environments

Is coil whine normal?

Yes. Coil whine is considered a normal behaviour of high-performance hardware. It varies between individual components and systems, even when using identical parts.

It is not an indication of lower quality hardware — high-end brands and components are just as susceptible as any other.

For this reason, manufacturers do not classify coil whine as a defect.

How noticeable is it?

In most systems, coil whine is:

• Only audible when close to the PC
• Most noticeable during very high FPS scenarios
• Less noticeable during typical gameplay

In some cases, it may be more noticeable depending on:

• The specific GPU or PSU unit (natural manufacturing variation)
• The game or application being used
• Frame rate and system load
• Room acoustics and ambient noise
• Electrical quality of the power source

Can it be reduced?

In many cases, coil whine can be reduced or minimised with simple adjustments:

• Enable V-Sync or set an FPS cap
• Limit menu frame rates in games
• Use a frame rate cap (e.g. 60–144 FPS)
• Apply a mild GPU undervolt
• Ensure the system is connected to a stable power source (avoid low-quality extension leads with multiple devices)

Our approach

We test every system before dispatch to ensure stability and performance.

During testing, if coil whine is clearly excessive, the PC is not shipped. Mild to moderate coil whine is considered normal and does not warrant component replacement.

If you experience coil whine, we will:

• Help you assess the severity
• Guide you through steps to reduce it
• Advise on whether it falls within normal behaviour

Returns and RMAs

Coil whine alone is not considered a fault and is not, by default, grounds for replacement.

A replacement may be offered if:

• The noise is clearly excessive and audible at normal seating distance during typical use
• The noise is consistently intrusive across multiple applications or workloads
• The issue has been reviewed and confirmed by PC36
• You have bought a Creator series PC with the "Acoustic Upgrade Pack" add-on

A replacement will not be offered if:

• The coil whine is mild to moderate
• The noise is only present at very high frame rates (e.g. menus or uncapped FPS)

If your purchase was made online within the last 14 days, you retain your statutory UK right to return the product for any reason. As coil whine is not a fault, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the buyer, and the system must be returned in original condition with all packaging per our Terms and Conditions of sale

Summary

Coil whine is a normal characteristic of powerful PC hardware. While it varies between systems, it does not affect performance, reliability, or lifespan.

If you are unsure whether what you are experiencing is normal, our support team is happy to help. You may be asked to provide a video recording from your typical seated position to assist with assessment.

 

AIO Pump and PC Fan Noise – What to Expect

In addition to coil whine, all PCs generate some level of mechanical noise from cooling components. This includes case fans, CPU coolers, and AIO (all-in-one) liquid cooler pumps. This is normal - moving parts will always make noise and high performance PCs will need quality cooling. 

These sounds are a normal part of system operation and do not indicate a fault.

Fan noise

All fans produce some level of airflow and mechanical noise. This can vary depending on fan speed, system load, and the specific model used.

Typical characteristics include:

• Increased noise under load as fan speeds ramp up
• A low “whooshing” airflow sound
• Occasional tonal differences between individual fans
• A mild grinding noise from the bearing of fans

Higher performance systems may run fans more aggressively to maintain safe temperatures, particularly during gaming or rendering workloads.

AIO pump noise

AIO liquid coolers include a small pump which circulates coolant through the system. This pump runs continuously while the PC is powered on.

Typical characteristics include:

• A faint hum or low-frequency vibration
• Slight tonal variation depending on pump speed and load
• Occasional very light fluid movement noise when first powered on

In most systems, pump noise is subtle and often masked by normal fan noise during use.

What is considered normal?

Normal cooling-related noise includes:

• Fan speed changes under load
• Low-level airflow or humming sounds
• Minor tonal differences between components
• Slight bearing noise

These behaviours are expected and are not considered faults.

What is not considered normal?

In rare cases, a component may produce abnormal noise. This may include:

• While some mild grinding noise from fan bearings is normal, very loud grinding or rattling sounds can be remedied via warranty
• Persistent clicking or knocking from a fan or pump
• Consistently intrusive noise at idle from normal seating distance

If you experience any of the above, please contact support and provide a video recording so we can assess the issue.

Can noise be reduced?

In many cases, overall system noise can be reduced with simple adjustments:

• Custom fan curves to balance noise and temperature - we apply these to all builds but if you would prefer a set up tuned for noise moreso than thermals, our support team can help
• Lowering maximum fan speeds where thermally appropriate
• Adjusting pump speed profiles (where supported)
• Ensuring the PC is placed on a stable, vibration-free surface - this is a suprisingly high-yield fix

Our approach

All systems are tested before dispatch to ensure cooling components are functioning correctly and within expected acoustic levels. Of course, more elaborate cooling systems will run more quietly than more economical cooling systems. In addition, very high performance components require more heat dissipation and therefore higher noise may be unavoidable

Normal fan and pump noise does not warrant replacement. However, if a component is found to produce abnormal or defective noise, we will investigate and resolve the issue appropriately