I had noticed some times in Windows that my something in my computer would start making a buzzing noise sometimes, however I never knew what it was. I don't have my graphics card drivers installed yet, so it can't be that. I've got a Barton 2500+ (its the unlocked version, but I don't have it overclocked).

so...why?

buzzing noise? what you mean? some "beeping" or just your CPU fan becoming more noisy?
if your screensaver use 3d or pretty graphic, it asks for some (much!) cpu operation, so it probably get warmer, so your fan might turn faster to dissipate more heat. Maybe your fan ball-bearing are broke (it happens all the time, cpu fan are evil).
If you computer beep... hmmm maybe you should take a look to your heat sensors? a computer usually beep if it become too hot.

Its neither beeping nor a fan issue. Its instantaneous. I click Wander, and it makes the noise, I click something else in the fractals section and it makes the noise. Its not a loud buzzing, its quietish.

Is there some special algorithm that this screensaver uses that could be using a part of the processor that doesn't usually get used?

eeeeh strange...
are youi really sure it is coming from the processor? A CPU is totally quiet, you know, it's just electricity...

Hi,

First of all, don't worry about the noise, it's fairly normal. Most motherboards
do this at least some of the time, it's just that most people don't (or can't)
notice it.

The noise your hearing is probably being caused by the onboard (mobo)
switched mode power supplies.
These power supplies usually operate at frequencies too high for humans
to hear. However, when a great deal of current is required by the CPU (when
performing complex calculations etc) the power supply comes under heavy
load and the operating frequency tends to drop. People with good hearing will perceive this sound as a hum or whistle, people with less good hearing will either hear nothing or perceive the sound as crackles or pops.

In a perfect world none of this would be audible as the power supplies would
be "over specced" and have plenty of head room. Sadly even "good" mobo's
are manufactured to a tight budget so only "adequate" power supplies are
provided.

Also, individual components within the power supply called "inductors" (also
known as coils or transformers) can become noisy with age. The lacquer
that seals the component ages, cracks and eventually fails. This failure causes
the inductor assembly to become "loose", parts that should be held firm are
allowed to move. This is another reason for increased noise.
At first this just reduces the efficiency of the inductor causing it to get hotter.
Eventually though, the in-efficiency will become so bad that it will overload other
parts of the power supply circuit. At this point it will fail.

Usually, the mobo becomes obsolete before this happens though :-)


Hope this helps...

.....RainyDay

What's to say it isn't GPU, or your monitor?

Proud is correct, either or both are other possibilities.

I assumed from the thread title that the noise had been
traced to the CPU area. In my experience most enthusiasts
can differentiate between a CPU and a Monitor Also, I see
(hear) many more noisy mobo PSU's than GPU's.

Without standing next to the machine and listening/hooking
up test gear it's not possible to be entirely certain of course
but that's hardly practical in these circumstances.

.....RainyDay

hmmm
this is really interesting. I thought I had a good hearing, look like I am wrong, I never "heard" a CPU yet.

it certainly may have been the power supply/mobo thing. that makes sense. thanks for the technical rundown, that was enlightening.