Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

CPU 60%+ makes noises

Feb 16, 2015 8:16AM PST

I got a new Gaming PC a few weeks ago (about 7) and I noticed when I played games that used more then 50% of my CPU a noise would begin. It's a squeaking sound but not like fingers on chalkboards. Other forums say it's my fan but I just got it. I just wish i could show you the sound. Because it's not a loud squeaking, and it doesn't sound like it destroying anything.

Thanks.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
Sounds right.
Feb 16, 2015 8:25AM PST

That is, as the load goes up so do most cooling fans. You can find reams of posts about finding noises in PCs but with a little care you can wait for the noise and then stop the fan to see which it is. Here's a post on that. Be sure not to stop it via a fan blade.

https://www.google.com/#q=find+noisy+fan+with+pencil+eraser

- Collapse -
Answer
Check it
Feb 16, 2015 11:22AM PST

Robert, posted a link and that makes real sense to try it. Geeez, you just got this PC and little noise, follow your ear. Open case and check the innards, especially any "fans" anywhere. It may not be the cpu fan, as at least more elsewhere, so don't discount any. Alas, when your usage reaches 50%+, it maybe just that your fan has to kick into higher RPMs in order to cool better, that's what its suppose to do. You're a gamer, I would think higher temps will be the norm during prolonged or extreme setting demands of whatever game is played or intense PC use.

tada -----Willy Happy

- Collapse -
Answer
CPU Sound
Feb 19, 2015 5:59PM PST

Before you do anything else, make sure your computer is clean and dust-free. If you've had it for more than a year, chances are it's built up some dust on the fans and heatsinks, which will make it run hotter

- Collapse -
Answer
Heat warning
Feb 20, 2015 3:33AM PST

Some motherboards make a squeaking or chirping sound when the temperature goes too high. You might be able to adjust the threshold in the BIOS as a test but that won't be the solution to an overheating problem.