Why is my power supply so loud? The power supply is an essential part of the computer and must work flawlessly. It might not seem like it, but a broken power supply can cause all sorts of problems for your computer, such as corrupting files or even rendering it unusable. Before you put any hardware into your PC, be sure to test the power supply. Here’s how to test your power supply and what you should look out for. In this blog, we also have an article about practical power supply home office host enclosure that you might want to read about it.
A power supply unit converts mains AC to low-voltage regulated DC power for the internal components of a computer. Modern personal computers universally use switched-mode power supplies.
What Is Power Supply For PC
Power supply is an important factor in PC’s working. PC needs power supply to keep the whole system functioning and it also supplies power to other peripherals like hard drive, optical drives, etc. The power supply unit converts AC voltage into DC voltages that run through the system board to get distributed to all the parts of the computer. It also carries heavy current loads when you connect peripherals or hard drives on a motherboard.
A power supply can be noisy, due to which people have started asking questions about what exactly happens inside a power supply? Is there any problem with your power supply if your PC is making noises? There are several different types of power supplies available in the market but not everyone knows how they work technically. This article will help you understand more about the technical aspects of power supplies.
A power supply is the hardware component that provides electricity to power computers and other devices.”
Vangie Beal, author from webopedia.com
Why Is My Power Supply So Loud
So, why is my power supply so loud? Your computer PSU may produce a loud sound because of some reasons, which include.
1. It Is Possible That Your Fan Is Dirty.
When the PSU becomes noisy, the first thing you should do is examine the fan blades for obstructions or dust collection on the edges. With one of the two, the fan will not operate properly. This results in the audibility.
2. Has the PSU fan reached the end of its useful life?
Moving elements such as fan blades may wear down over time due to friction, resulting in some undesired noise.
3. Inspect for Missing Screws.
During the fan’s manufacture, the technician may have secured the screws loosely; Thus, over time, as they are utilized, they may get looser, resulting in undesirable noise. Additionally, the screws on the fan may become loose due to the fan’s moving components.
4. Your CPU is overworked.
If a program consumes an excessive amount of processing and RAM space, the computer becomes overworked. This causes the fan to vibrate and get overworked, resulting in a loud vibration from the PSU fan.
5. Verify that your computer is capable of venting heat.
Another common reason for the PSU fan to make a loud noise is because the work area’s air intake ports are likely blocked. They allow cold, fresh air to reach the fan while exhausting heated air.
What does Power Supply do for a computer
The power supply unit is an electronic device that converts one form of electricity to another. When we talk about computers, the term “power supply” refers to the electrical components located just below the mainboard. These components are responsible for converting the 120V household AC voltage supplied by the mainboard to 12 VDC or 5VDC needed by the microprocessor and its associated circuitry. Some common examples of these devices include:
- AC-to-DC converter: A power supply unit converts the AC input voltage given by the mains into the low voltage required by the motherboard. With the introduction of Intel Core i7 series processors, some manufacturers offer their motherboards to support higher power consumption. In such cases, the motherboard may require a high amperage power supply. To avoid this, these boards typically use low-amperage power supplies. However, most users must accept lower performance because of the reduced amount of power provided by these units.
- DC-to-DC converter or step-down converter: The DC output from the power supply provides electricity to the various circuits and components connected to the motherboard. Most motherboards only offer 2.5VDC as their operating power source. So, before supplying power to the motherboard, the step down converter converts 12 VDC to 2.5VDC. By doing so, the overall load on the power supply is reduced, thereby reducing power losses during conversion.
- Regulator: Most modern PCs come equipped with a built-in regulator to regulate the 12V output provided by the power supply. The 12V output is converted to 5VDC by the regulator using internal resistors, capacitors, and diodes. Sometimes, power supplies may even employ additional regulators to provide multiple voltages at the same time. For example, a power supply may convert the AC mains voltage to 1.8VDC and 12VDC, both at the same time, in order to meet the requirements of different circuit elements.
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I’m Roselyn T., a self-proclaimed tech geek on a mission to unravel the wonders of the digital realm. As a dedicated reviewer of computers and laptops, I share my insights and expertise on the latest tech trends and innovations on my blog, workrift.com. With a passion for demystifying the tech landscape, I not only offer in-depth reviews but also provide practical tips to navigate the ever-evolving world of technology. I’m also an author of the book “AP Computer Science A Premium, 2024: 6 Practice Tests + Comprehensive Review + Online Practice (Barron’s AP)” which is sold on Amazon. Join me as we explore the exciting intersection of form and function in the realm of gadgets and gear.