I recently upgraded my cooling setup and switched to a new case, and I've noticed a strange issue with my power supply unit (PSU). While everything else seems to be functioning well, the PSU fan starts running at a high speed when my computer is just sitting idle. This happens periodically, every 20 minutes or so, and lasts for a few minutes. In my old setup, I used to run the PSU in silent mode without any issues, so I'm not sure what's going on now. I've confirmed that the PSU is clean, correctly installed, and that there's no airflow restriction. The power draw at idle is similar to my previous setup, and the air coming from the PSU doesn't seem too hot. I've done quite a bit of troubleshooting, but I'm looking for any advice on what I might be missing before considering a new PSU.
2 Answers
It sounds like what you're experiencing is pretty typical behavior for that PSU model. It often ramps up quickly even at low loads because the fan curve is quite aggressive. I had a similar experience with my older EVGA PSU. The default ECO mode can be bothersome since it alternates between complete silence and then loud bursts of fan noise. If you disable ECO mode, it'll run quieter at a constant lower level instead of going through those rapid changes.
From what you've described, it seems like your PSU is reacting to heat properly. When temperatures rise, the fan kicks in to cool things down; that's how it's supposed to work. If you're after a totally silent setup though, you might want to consider other options. But if you've enjoyed silence before, this transition can be a bit frustrating. Have you thought about mounting a quieter fan or adjusting your layout to improve airflow?
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