Question:

How to reduce coil whine on ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4090?

I have been using the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4090 (non OC) for six weeks and I have encountered two problems. The first one is a black screen issue after the BIOS splash screen, which I have temporarily solved by using a workaround. The second one is a loud coil whine noise that occurs when I play Remnant 2. I have tried various settings to limit the frame rate and enable V-Sync, G-Sync, and NVIDIA Ultra Low Latency Mode, but none of them have made any difference. The coil whine is very annoying and I do not use headphones. Is there any other solution to reduce the coil whine or should I return the card under warranty? I would appreciate any expert advice on this matter. Thank you.

Answer:

Coil whine is a high-pitched noise that is caused by the vibration of electrical components, such as capacitors and inductors, when they are subjected to varying currents. Coil whine is not a sign of a defective or faulty product, but rather a natural phenomenon that occurs in some electronic devices. However, coil whine can be very annoying and distracting, especially for gamers who do not use headphones and want to enjoy the immersive sound effects of their games.

One of the most powerful and popular graphics cards on the market, the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4090, is also known to produce coil whine under heavy load. This is because the RTX 4090 has a very high power consumption and draws a lot of current from the power supply unit (PSU). The more current that flows through the coils, the more they vibrate and emit noise.

If you are one of the unlucky owners of an RTX 4090 that suffers from coil whine, you might be wondering if there is anything you can do to reduce or eliminate the noise. Here are some possible solutions that you can try:

• Limit the frame rate. One of the main causes of coil whine is the excessive frame rate that the RTX 4090 can achieve in some games. The higher the frame rate, the more work the GPU has to do and the more current it draws. By limiting the frame rate to match your monitor’s refresh rate, you can reduce the stress on the GPU and lower the coil whine. You can use the NVIDIA Control Panel, the in-game settings, or a third-party software like MSI Afterburner to cap the frame rate. However, some users have reported that this method does not work for them or only reduces the coil whine slightly.
• Enable V-Sync, G-Sync, or FreeSync. Another way to limit the frame rate and synchronize it with your monitor’s refresh rate is to enable V-Sync, G-Sync, or FreeSync. These technologies are designed to prevent screen tearing and stuttering by matching the output of the GPU with the input of the monitor. By doing so, they can also reduce the coil whine by preventing the GPU from rendering unnecessary frames. However, some users have experienced input lag, performance drops, or compatibility issues when using these technologies.
• Enable NVIDIA Ultra Low Latency Mode. This is a feature that is available in the NVIDIA Control Panel that aims to reduce input lag and improve responsiveness by minimizing the number of frames that are queued in the GPU. By enabling this mode, you can also reduce the coil whine by lowering the GPU load and current draw. However, this mode might not be compatible with some games or might cause stuttering or instability in some cases.
• Change the power settings. Another possible solution is to change the power settings of the GPU or the PSU. You can use the NVIDIA Control Panel or a third-party software like MSI Afterburner to adjust the power limit, voltage, or fan speed of the GPU. By lowering the power limit or voltage, you can reduce the current draw and the coil whine. However, this might also reduce the performance or overclocking potential of the GPU. Alternatively, you can change the power settings of the PSU by using a different power cable, a different power outlet, or a different power mode. Some users have reported that using a different power cable or outlet can reduce the interference or noise that might cause coil whine. Others have suggested that using a different power mode, such as eco mode or silent mode, can lower the fan speed or the efficiency of the PSU and reduce the coil whine. However, these methods might not work for everyone or might have other drawbacks, such as lower power output or higher temperatures.
• Replace the GPU or the PSU. If none of the above solutions work for you or if the coil whine is too loud or unbearable, you might want to consider replacing the GPU or the PSU. You can contact the manufacturer or the retailer of the GPU or the PSU and request a replacement under warranty. However, there is no guarantee that the replacement will be free of coil whine, as it is a common issue that affects many products. Alternatively, you can buy a new GPU or PSU from a different brand or model that might have less or no coil whine. However, this might be costly or impractical, especially if you are happy with the performance or features of your current GPU or PSU.

Coil

whine is a frustrating and annoying problem that can ruin your gaming experience. However, it is not a harmful or dangerous problem that can damage your GPU or PSU. Therefore, you can try some of the solutions mentioned above to reduce or eliminate the coil whine, or you can learn to live with it and ignore it. Ultimately, the choice is yours.