High Frequency noise from graphics card

My graphics card exhibits a strange high-frequency buzzing noise when it is not doing 3D operations.

I've noticed that it has this high-pitched low-volume noise only when it's in 2D mode. Once I start ATITool or run any 3d game the noise goes away. It's very subtle, but annoying when I'm trying to enjoy peace and quiet. Sounds like that high-pitched noise old TV's make.

Edit: the clock speed doesn't seem to be the deciding factor, it's just if there is a 3D moving image on the screen or not.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix this? It's giving me a nasty headache..literally.

updating drivers to the latest ones on the dell.com site didn't fix this.

after a little review, this could be a capacitor about to fail....damnit this is no good.

 

Hmmm, that sucks. Being a former owner of a P4 notebook i really hate high pitch noises like that when you're trying to concentrate on work.

If there is a fan on it, did you check or clean it? If you can change the fan speed manually (if the fan is causing it) maybe you can adjust it to a speed on witch it doesn't make that sound. If it's a chip or conductor or something that's making the sound i'm afraid you have to have it looked at or replaced by Dell.

 

thanks ill have to use my warranty I guess because now when I close my lid, the LCD doesn't turn off.

fixed the LCD problem. start the nvidia graphics driver service in services.msc

 

Weird...I just came on here and I'm having exactly the same high pitched problems you described with my Vostro 1500. Only different is I have a 8600M GT. So this could be bad huh?