Troubleshooting Coil Whine on RTX 4090 - Any Solutions?

Posted by: GamerPro99 Last Reply: TechGuru88 Views: 15.3K Replies: 287

Hey everyone,

I recently upgraded to an ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4090, and while the performance is incredible, I'm experiencing a pretty noticeable coil whine, especially when the GPU load is high (like in demanding games or benchmarks). It's a high-pitched buzzing sound that's quite annoying.

I've tried:

  • Updating drivers to the latest version.
  • Limiting FPS in games.
  • Undervolting slightly.
  • Ensuring good airflow in my case.

Nothing seems to completely eliminate it. Has anyone found a reliable fix or workaround for this issue on the 4090 series? Any specific settings or mods that have worked for you?

Thanks in advance!

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Hi GamerPro99,

Coil whine is a common issue with high-performance components, and unfortunately, there's no universal fix as it often relates to manufacturing tolerances in the inductors. However, here are a few more things people have had success with:

  1. Power Limit Adjustment: Sometimes slightly lowering the power limit (e.g., to 85-90%) in MSI Afterburner or similar tools can reduce the whine without a significant performance hit.
  2. Vertical Sync / Frame Rate Limiter: Ensure you're using a consistent frame rate limiter. Sometimes capping it slightly below your monitor's refresh rate (e.g., 141 FPS for a 144Hz monitor) can help.
  3. Testing Different PSU: While less common, a marginal or unstable PSU can sometimes exacerbate coil whine. If you have a spare high-quality PSU, it might be worth testing.
  4. "Breaking In" the Card: Some users report that the coil whine lessens after extended periods of high load (days/weeks). Keep using it!

Also, make sure your case panels are secured tightly, as vibrations can sometimes make the noise seem louder than it is.

Keep us updated on what works!

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I had the same issue with my Strix 4090. Lowering the power limit to 80% in Afterburner did wonders for me. The whine is practically gone, and I barely notice any FPS difference in most games.

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