Zalman ZM-1000HP Power Supply High Pitched Squeal With Vsync Off

[loveease]

I have similar issue with my Zalman 500HP..(bought it 5 years ago)

-High frequency noise when the power is on

-Not able to boot up when I pressed the power button (power is on but screen shows nothing), must off and on the power switch at the back of PSU quickly while the power is on and shows nothing then successfully boot up.

Warranty of the PSU is over then I tried to open it then I saw 4 pcs of output capacitors are brown up and the noise is from Transformer when there is load.

[gabarga]

I have the same problem with a XFX 750W black edition power supply.

[sportlol]

I have the same problem, after some days i figured out it's the power supply and it is Not the fan as i stopped it for some seconds and the psi was still squealling. I even opened it to clean it inside, but with no result. I guess the only solution is to buy a new power supply.

[homebrewelectronics]

I just finished building a new system and I got the same frigging problem! It's pissing me off!

[Laystat]

Something worked for me, my Win7 power plan was set to performance, I just had to set up back to Balanced, wich didn't totally solved the problem but lowered the squealing noise and made it come up less frequently

[BreathlessProduction]

@Laystat

All you did by doing that is lower the performance of your system, which reduced the framerate of your games, which reduced the noise.

[Barakuda318]

I can tell you exactly what it is....its the Bearings in the Fan on the Power supply..I had one do this before and when there is a load placed on the power supply the fan is kicked up to a higher speed which makes the noise louder. The sound is actually there all the time however at lower speeds it is so low that it can barely be heard if heard at all...trust me try changing the fan..I think Zalman had some issue's with that particular fan model...Cheap try anyway..

[BreathlessProduction]

@Barakuda318

Thanks for the input, but no, that is not the case.... it is not the fan.

[GholaTlx]

One other thing , it might "squeel" less or not at all when it's warmer ;-) I'm yet to see about that . Long live squeelers!

[GholaTlx]

In my case it's the Sapphire Vapor-X HD5850 that "squeels" when the framerate goes higher than a certain level, 400+ let's say and it also squeels when scrolling on some web pages in IE. After reading some and asking my father :P I found out the culprit might be in the VRM, specificaly a coil in there that's vibrating when voltage changes happen. And voltage raises when scrolling in IE and rendering 2000 fps in games...but no component should vibrate if it does it's just coz it was badly made :)

[prankmypants]

yeah i have the same issue, its louder the whiter and brighter the 3d image. its caused by capacitor squeel and could indicate poor quality capacitors or simply that the energy demands are causing the caps to reach their peak output and generate noise and heat. if the unit is shutting down mid way then id say you have bigger issues. replace just to be sure

[akashdeepjabandar]

I saw this PSU going cheap and was considering buying it - good job I googled it and found a comment pointing to this video on AnanTech. That noise would make me even more insanely angrier than I normally am, probably leading to the deaths of several of my neighbors/their pets/innocent bystanders and myself at the hands of the police after a fortnights rampage.

Thanks for the video - looks like I won't be able to avoid buying that expensive fucking Corsair PSU! Curse you Corsair!

[NigelCartoon]

sounds like a dentists drill, even through the mic on your camera

[Renat008]

I have a ZM750-HP and it is driving me apeshit, I have had so many of the same problems you had. I am not going to by a Zalman PSU ever again.

[ratmanscoop69]

Are you certain this noise is not produced from the regulators on your graphics card? If this was produced by fluctuations in current through the PSU it would be going off with CPU activity, not just graphical output. Typically, this noise is produced by graphics cards, some are worse than others. The noise generated by my PC with the same PSU is completely different with whichever graphics card I use, yet the same with a different Power Supply. Zoom in on your GPU instead!

[error262]

that's cuz of high framerates!! higher the fps higher the squeal! and it's not a problem... I tought that that high pitched squeal came from graphic card lol...

[drewer757]

@21boxhead: Negatory on the fan. I stopped the fan with my finger and it was still screeching like a banshee. For whatever odd reason, the sound is drastically diminished with vsync on (forcing frame rate to monitor refresh). The noise is worse when frames are really high, like 999+ in menus and stuff. I wonder if it's the intel chipset I have. . .I saw it reported on X58, X3# and X4#s, but not on any nvidia chipset MBs.

[21boxhead]

could also be a bad bearing on the fan

[21boxhead]

did you check your fan hitting something

[SrtRacerBoy]

same thing from my zalman 850watt psu, it seems to get louder and higher frequency as the framerate gets higher, likes to do it during loading screens in 3dmark, and begining of some games with bink video's that show up on fraps as thousands of frames per second, and turning on crysis in thoes intro binks.. anyone find a way to make it stop yet?

[ditendo]

@SrtRacerBoy I have that exact same problem, I force Vsync on with my nvidia control panel. It resolve the problem but with new games removing vsync can make the game soother but like you said because of Bink video's and some bad games loading screen that give me 500 FPS and more, it is dangerous for the powersupply.

[SrtRacerBoy]

@ditendo not sure if its dangerous to it, its either the capacitors or coils whining, i haven't found any reports of the noise killing any psu's

[Crooswijker010]

I have the fucking same problem, with some games..

I dont have it with GTA IV but I do have it with other games like Far Cry 2, Test Drive Unlimited but The Sims 3 was the worst ever. My vidcard started trippin making lots of noise and the fan speed was set to 100 so It wouldn't crash/overheat.

And It's definitely my videocard (MSI ATi Radeon HD4870 X2 2GB), is there some way of fixing it cuz im getting fucking annoyed by it.

[BreathlessProduction]

If it is coming from your video card then your problem is a little different than mine, though I suspect it is because of the same reason.... low quality component or bad quality control. The only fix for you would be to get a different video card, or make sure you always have vsync on. I suspect putting vsync on would make a big difference, just as it does with mine.

[sisterbrothers]

Same issue, although not at all so bad, with a brand new Atrix 650.

[alf]

I see,have you tried another psu?

[alf]

I managed to eliminate this noise problem just by grounding my pc.Simple!

[BreathlessProduction]

Then I don't think we are talking about the same problem.

[drewer757]

Same freaking thing I just discovered after a month of struggling with OCZ. (OCZ Z1000M is noisy as hell with vsync off!) See my vids.

[21boxhead]

@drewer757 its most likely your fan

[tonyp2004uk]

I have the same problem.

I got a new motherboard, i7 cpu and ddr3 memory and I started getting noise from either the psu (1100watt) or the gfx card (xfx gtx 260 black edition).

Strange thing is these 2 parts were in my amd 6000+ pc with no problems. When the noise stops in a game im playing, the screen freezes for about half a second which it very annoying.

[CheatEnginer]

Chieftec 650W psu, AMD Phenom II X2 550 cpu, GTX 275 gpu = squealing when vsync is off. But i dont get the sound when watching videos or scrolling a web page

[soda480]

i have a zalman 850w with the same problem, except mine does it regardless of the vsync setting. the really bad news is that i have my PSU custom sleeved so its not like i can just RMA the thing. I've tried various things recommended by others to no avail. Very dissapointed.

[Razor2048]

PS also wanted to add, you don't need a 1000 watt PSU unless you are quad SLI of high end cards and other high end components. To make a power supply at 1000W they have to use more expensive parts that can handle it, the problem is with a cheaper 650-750W PSU the parts are will within their specs but in a 1000W+ they try to cut cost by using parts that are very close to the limits of their specs, you don't have to pull 1000W to hit the limits of the specs of the parts inside the power supply.

[Razor2048]

thats not a capacitor problem, it is due to an inductor in the powersupply, it cant handle the ripple generated by the rapid change in power usage. it happens when they run beyond their specs in what there designed to handle, while that power supply is over $200, it has cheap parts in it that are not fully designed for working in a 1000W PSU, I HAD a zalman PSU and returned it for this same reason.

Run your 12V rail through a oscilloscope while gaming and you will see what I am talking about.

[edge160]

My pc power & cooling has the same problem. I thought it was my samsung hard drive. Should I get a new power supply? I mean with a highly overclocked processor and powerful gpu, it is very stable.

[kengie2]

i've got the same problem, only when games are running, well and sometimes downloading stuff or watching youtube.

i've got a Coolermaster Real Power W700 with 2 HIS 4870 in crossfire, ive tested the system and it seemed to be stable, just dont understand why squeals happen :S

[Soopytwist]

I have the exact same problem but I only hear it in three games tested: Crysis, Far Cry 2 and Red Faction Guerrilla. My FSP 800W Everest PSU makes this same squealing sound ONLY during loading screens and whilst on menus never during an actual game though. I usually have V-Sync on in games if my system can handle it.

Intel Core i7 965 Extreme 3.2Ghz

Asus P6T Deluxe

6Gb Corsair DDR3 1600

2Gb Sapphire Radeon HD4870X2

800W FSP Everest PSU

500Gb Seagate Baracuda HDD

Windows Vista Ultimate 64Bit

[mirroredmalice]

I have the exact same problem... I have a NVIDIA graphics card and I've tried three different power supplies and they all make the same noise. It is a brand new computer - everything in it was bought brand new so I have no idea what it is!! Is it damaging anything???

[BrytaPlanka]

I found 2 solutions for the problem. RivaTuner has something called D3D Overrider that run in the background and automaticly force VSync to be activated. I use ATI Tray Tools. It can force VSync and tripple buffering on 3D applications you choose. It worked on games, but I couldnt get it to work on that squeling little cube ting.

[BrytaPlanka]

I have the simular squeal with a passive Silverstone Nightjar 300W and a passive Gigabyte Radeon HD4850. The same PSU never squealed when I used the Integrated ATI X1250 graphics on my motherboard. I dont know what to make of that...

[BreathlessProduction]

it is because you now have a higher framerate with the better graphics card.

[BRUTAL1TY13]

Like i replied in your previous thread.. its a dying capacitor!,

it only squeels when you put it under stress as its drawing more current from your PSU and in your case.. making one of your capacitors squeel. RMA your PSU

[BreathlessProduction]

wrong.... this is a common issue, even on brand new power supplys. This is the second zalman i tried with the same issue, and I have tried several other BRAND NEW power supplys with the same issue.

[FreeTalkLive]

I would bet these companies are using cheap or under rated capacitors. I would replace all large capacitors with better ones and see if the situation improves.

[h2h2h2h2]

Holy fuck that's annoying. My Corsair HX620 only squeels under heavy GPU load. That's with a GTX 295 and 9800GT (for PhysX). Haven't tried it V-sync off though. Infact, I don't think I ever owned a PSU that didn't squeel. OCZ, Corsair, Seasonic all squeeled with high-end NVIDIA GPU's, which I am beginning to wonder if this is NVIDIA related as not too many people reporting ATI and Squeeling PSU's.

[MartijnH]

I got exactly the same problem with this PSU. I have uploaded an video to my tube.

[ri100014]

Thanks for the help. I noticed this on Oblivion with a SLI configuration. It felt like it was grating the inside of my skull - it was irritating. I'm using a 750 W PC Power and Cooling unit. I also have been looking at the Antec 850 signature. If it is as good as you said at reducing this unbelievable irritant then I'm probably going to go with it.

[0temp0]

so glad i found this, mine has the EXACT same problem

im trying to RMA it, but the ZALMAN site is playing up for me :( keeps telling me my phone number is invalid

did you get this fixed?

[BreathlessProduction]

I basically did. Its called.... get a new power supply. I got an Antec Signature 850 and the noise is significantly reduced.

[Habbibz91]

what do you mean significantly reduced,

is it still there, it shouldnt exist in the first place,

can you post a video of the new psu with vsync off, (ati tool, stalker)

thanks!

[BreathlessProduction]

"Significantly reduced" indicates that the noise is still there, just significantly reduced. I'd say that the volume of the noise is more than 50 percent reduced. When I get the chance, yes, maybe I can post a new video for you.

[PureAwesome]

I have the exact same issue with the PSU... im having a hell of a time getting it replaced with a different brand PSU... but hoopefully I get it replaced next week!

thanks awesome video, I showed it to the store I bought it from to convince them!

[sukinsin2354]

dude im so happy im not the only one

my Cooler Master 700W pro is making the same annoying shit sound

haha i had too laugh when u started about scrolling, mine is going crazy too that shit is so f**ed up

how did u solved this?

[BreathlessProduction]

I bought an Antec Signature 850W and the sound is virtually gone (significantly reduced). It is now a non issue.

[IceShade]

Yeah, thanks for this video. I figured it was my power supply, and not something else, but Christ it makes a lot of noise. Scrolling, resizing windows .. those make obvious noises, but not very loud.

Now when I turned V-sync off (I always play with V-sync on to get rid of tearing in games) just to test something, I was scared shitless. I went into a game and even the MENU screen was a terrible high pitched noise. Turning V-sync on again fixes everything, though the noise is not completely gone.

[Yayakills]

yo your computer is a mess.

kinda how i keep mines when i mod it

dude clean up

[BreathlessProduction]

in the process my friend : )

[maticks]

i couldn't agree with you more.

I always wanted to try something i thought about after i fixed it. Since the Power Supply is the only place thats grounded wonder what would happen if you using a two prong power cable. At least here in Australia the bottom prong out of the 3 is the ground wire.

I think the fact that the power supply is the ground point is why its making that noise. Can you ask Zalman hopefully they will know something about their product and what earth leakage might do.

[maticks]

I had a similar problem with my Zalman ZM-1000HP even though the noise came from the PSU it wasnt the PSU.

I used headphones and ignored the noise for a month.

I went to a friends place and took my Tower with me it wouldnt do it at his place.

I used his mouse, keyboard and screen and it was fine.

When i got home it did it again.

It was being caused by my keyboard.

I would suggest running the ati test, unplug the power to your screens and unplug your keyboard and mouse see if its still happening.

[BreathlessProduction]

Interesting theory, however, no matter what it is still the power supply. This kind of thing should never be caused by any peripheral device, let alone a keyboard or mouse. The power supply should be able to handle any such "interference" without whining.

[englishrule54]

True, it is not the power supply.

It is his the coffee maker in the kitchen that is making that sound.

[Homeless2]

I have the same problem with my corsair 750TX. By any chance do you hear those psu sounds through your speakers/ headphones? If I put my psu in an inaudible place, my headphones pick up the squealing

[Homeless2]

Also if you happen to have a low profile card that doesn't require the use of a pci-e connector (eg: radeon 4550), does your psu still squeal?

[wwasucks]

iv seen both vids and i think it could be fighting with ur video card

[BreathlessProduction]

Its a different video card in each system. Good try, but its the power supply.

[aSASa45454]

Response from Zalman about when the new revision will come out and if they would offer a "step-up" to the new units or not for a little $:

The issue is known at ZALMAN, but I do not know the policy terms and when the fix will be implemented. I would return it and get a new 1000HP later on or get a different product. We hope to better meet your needs in the future.

Best Regards,

TechSupport/ZALMAN

-----

Wow, they actually wrote "GET ANOTHER PRODUCT". What kind of company is that honest?

[Penewab2008]

Excellent work dude. I decided to see if if I could replciate on my 3 rigs. The 550W Corsair was loud, the PCPC 750W Quad Silencer was noticable but not too bad, and my OCZ 700W StealthStream, not a peep! Not sure what the deal is, from what I've read, OCZ while these are considered decent units, they are known to use not so quality components to keep their prices down. But it is indeed silent. Just thought I'd add, again, great work.

Penewab

[aSASa45454]

Do you actually own all 3?

Cuz the first power supply I was looking at when I had a low budget was that, but the reviews were shiot and the heatsinks were the size of a penny, so I figured it would be loud. I also read that its max ACTUAL load is <600W or it will break.

[Penewab2008]

I have all 3. Are you referring to the 700W Stealthstream? I've had 4850s Xfired on them, and a 4870 1GB now, and not a peep, with a E8500 OC 4.0 Ghz. Not a ripple to be found. I am a bit surprised myself. I got in b/c of an A1 promo deal from NE. But its been a primo buy. The PCPC 750W seems a durable as they come, and I actually tried to do the vsync thing again, but nothing, so I'm not sure if I was eharing things the first. You know how you get a buzz or whine in your head and it satys? lol

[aSASa45454]

Yeah, I know.

I see you said StealthXStream. I confused that with the ModXStream. Well, enjoy that. I'm a modular freak and insist i get a modular psu :/

Have u tested them on atitool, crysis menu, etc? i dont usually have a problem with the noise unless i get tons of fps.. and the crysis menu is by far the worst thing ever.

[hk86]

I have the same problem with my Corsair vx450w PSU but the squeal is much, much less significant than your Zalman. It's still annoying though.

[aSASa45454]

oh can you show a video of the Signature 850W noise? cuz i was thinkin about buying the 650W version. I cant afford more then that :P

[BreathlessProduction]

Yes sir I can, but not out of my case. I can put the camera right up to the back of the power supply though and post the video at a later time.

[BreathlessProduction]

Be aware that it makes the noise as well, but it is significantly reduced.

[aSASa45454]

I sent this video to Zalman support and they said they will show it to the engineers and see what they can do about it :).

I have the same problem.

[BreathlessProduction]

Excellent, thanks! I think it will be helpful for everyone if Power Supply manufacturers become aware of this and recognize that it is an issue.

[nigroborracho]

oh man im having the same problem with my PSU, a cooler master extreme power thing.

Do you know if using the pc like this is dangerous? i mean i will get a new psu in a couple of days, but for now i have to use this shit.

[BreathlessProduction]

The power supply is not defective, so no need to worry. It is just a cheap component that causes the noise. Getting a new power supply may not reduce the noise much if at all. I recommend the Antec Signature 850. It still makes the noise, but it is significantly reduced.

[BrytaPlanka]

I hope I am correct. Please comment with the result when you tried what I said in last post. I replaced motherboard, powersupply and all kind of things before I figured out it was the phone charger.. I went fucking insane when I couldnt pinpoint the reason for the problem! Maybe having 2 monitors and your speakers in that exact configuration somehow increase the magnetic field alot? The same problem on 2 diffrent kind of PSUs with great reviews sounds to unlikly to be just another faulty unit.

[BreathlessProduction]

No need, I replaced the power supply with an Antec Signature 850W and the sound is significantly reduced, virtually to nothing. Some power supplies are better with handling electromagnetic interference than others because they use better components. Also, even though these power supplies have very good reviews, this test is NEVER run in any high end review. I don't know why...

[BrytaPlanka]

I just wanted to let you know that I had strange noise issues from various computer components when I turned on off stuff in graphics, and I had a weird whine sound when scrolling, when harddrives read data. It was solved by moving my telephone charging unit. The wireless phone charger messed the whole shit up. Not the first thing I checked.. So try moving everything to the middle of the room, just use one monitor, no speakers, reposition hardware and so on. It can be some magnetic field issue.

[BrytaPlanka]

Wtf! That is annoying!

Thanks for letting me know this!

I was thinking about this powersupply for my next purchase, but know I wont get it. Its very expensive to. What the hell are you supposed to do now?

[BreathlessProduction]

I purchased an Antec Signature 850W and the noise is significantly reduced.