Funny graphics-related(?) noise

[sethmahoney]

So I just installed a new power supply, which seriously cut down on the noise my computer was making, and now (maybe because now I can hear it, or maybe because I somehow damaged something) it seems like whenever my graphics card is being used, my computer makes this super high pitched whine sound. For example, I have xcompmgr enabled, and if a window is fading it will make the noise during the entire fade, and then stop once it is done. Same deal with scrolling through a web page or flipping desktops when there's something on either desktop. I've heard the same sound before on a computer which had either a dying (CRT) monitor or a dying video card (noone ever figured out which it was), so I'm a little worried.

If it helps, the relevant hardware is an LCD screen and a nVidia GeForce 4 MX 440.

So, anyone have any ideas what might be going on?

[PatrickMay16]

I've had an odd problem like this before, but with display output instead of audio output. On this computer, when using the proprietary ATI drivers in Linux, scrolling up and down windows, and general stuff like that which you described, caused odd distorted lines of pixels to quickly appear and disappear randomly on the area of the screen to the right of whatever was being moved or whatever.
This was a problem with the video card, since it also happened on my old computer that was made of entirely different parts except the same sound and video cards. Same monitor, too, but I'm not sure how much of a difference that would make.

Not helpful information but it would seem somewhat related.

[Omnios]

try using a lower vid setting HZ and see if that solves it. My viewsonic makes noises if I have it at the max setting

[sethmahoney]

try using a lower vid setting HZ and see if that solves it. My viewsonic makes noises if I have it at the max setting

Lowering the refresh rate didn't work. Any other ideas?

[mstlyevil]

Lowering the refresh rate didn't work. Any other ideas?

If you have another computer you could access, try to put it in there and test the card in it to see if it does the same thing. If it does I would suggest replacing the card. You can pick up a geforce 6200 128 MB by Nvidia for less than $60.

[drizek]

Lowering the refresh rate didn't work. Any other ideas?

i think it is normal. the same thing happens with my laptop. under windows xp, it doesnt happen very much. under linux and vista though, it happens more often.

[futz]

it seems like whenever my graphics card is being used, my computer makes this super high pitched whine sound
Sounds like your sound card or onboard sound system may be picking up interference from the video? I seem to remember seeing (hearing?) this once. Unplug your speakers and see if the problem goes away.

If it does, then try just lowering the level in the computer and turning up the speakers a bit, or vice versa. Or try rerouting your speaker wire (the one between the computer and the speakers.

[krusbjorn]

I've had this sort of problem on a couple of my past computers. I called the customer service from where i bought the parts from which i built my computer, and their advice was to try another power supply. I dont remember why, but i remember it was the logical thing to do, and that there was no other way around. But my knowledge is extremely limited, so feel free to correct me, anyone.

Edit: Oh, forgot to mention. My noise came out of my speakers, as futz said. So do what he said to make sure your problem is the same as mine before buying a new power supply again ;)