Computers, televisions, amplifiers … Many electronic devices can emit a strident and disturbing sound when they operate. Where does he come from and can we avoid it?
Some electronic devices, whether new or old, produce a sharp and persistent noise when they are under tension. This sound, sometimes bordering on the strident, can be particularly annoying and unpleasant for the user. This noise nuisance frequently manifests in graphics cards, power blocks or certain screens, especially when operating at full capacity.
This phenomenon is known as “Coil Whine”, or whistling reels in French. It is explained by the mechanical vibration of certain internal components when they are crossed by a high frequency electric current. More specifically, induction coils, these copper windings present in many electronic circuits, can resonate under the effect of these frequencies, and generate a sound that varies in intensity and tone.
The causes of Coil Whine are multiple and depend on both the design of the product and its use. One of the main factors is the quality of the components used in manufacturing, certain materials absorbing vibrations better than others. Then, the electric charge applied to a circuit plays an essential role: a graphics card can produce a more pronounced coil when it performs heavy calculations in a video game, and the power supplies can generate this noise when they operate at a power close to their maximum capacity.
If the Coil Whine is a real noise nuisance, it is not dangerous for the apparatus concerned. Unlike other electronic noises, such as shattering or snap which can point out a dysfunction or a breakdown, the whistling of the coils is phenomenon inherent in certain circuits and does not translate an imminent failure.
To limit the amplitude of Coil Whine, the best approach is to reduce the load applied to the component concerned. For example, limit the number of images per second, the definition of rendering or visual options for a graphics card, or use the energy efficiency mode for a laptop, can help limit the whistle.
If the Coil Whine persists and becomes too annoying despite these measures, the replacement of the device must then be envisaged. Unfortunately, most manufacturers do not consider this phenomenon as a manufacturing defect, and often refuse to exchange the equipment for this reason. Unless the policy of replacing the after-sales evening service very accommodating, or that the Coil Whine is truly excessive, it will therefore be necessary to learn to live with it.