High pitch noise (whine) workaround (tested on HP Envy 17)

My HP Envy 17 suffers from a well-known constant high pitched noise (some call it whine) when it's bored (a term my friend invented for a low CPU usage ). So far I've been able to find two working solutions (both are not mine, so kudos for those who came up with them), but they both have issues:

Fix 1

Disabling the CPU Idle option in Power Options for the Power Plan you're currently using. It is well described here. The problem here is that the CPU does never go to the low frequency (low power consumption, low heat generation) mode.

Fix 2

Running the below batch (.bat or .cmd) file with an empty loop.

Code:

@echo off
:loop
goto loop

This however takes roughly 40% of one of the cores (threads) CPU time. See the snapshot attached.

My Fix

A couple years ago I wrote a very simple program which sits in your tray and only does one thing: it's constantly playing an empty sound file to eliminate the whine. As far as I see there's no high CPU usage involved and also Intel Turbo Boost Technology Monitor tells me the CPU is able to use it's idling capabilities. See the attached snapshot.

I'm attaching the app itself as well as the alternative link to it. All you need to do is put it on your hard drive, run it and click Enable. Also, click Autostart to make it run every time Windows starts.

Hope this helps all of you who (like me) can still hear those high frequencies

 

So far, so good! I'll have to test it out in more conditions and settings. I'll let you know how it goes.

 

which method worked for you?

also i tried the last method and it did not do anything on envy 14.

thanks

 

Didn't work for Envy 14

 

Worked on my Envy 14. But used CPU and caused fan to go on more.

Then i found this solution, worked perfectly. Make sure you choose the external mic, not the integrated one, and follow exactly.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/6347979-post1478.html

 

I never tried option 1 due to multiple reports of heat generation. Option 2 didn't help. I'm still evaluating option 3, but so far, so good. I need to get my laptop into other environments and conditions (on battery, Intel versus ATI graphics, etc.)

I've also used the jjb ssd tweak, the 85% throttling tweak, and the microphone tweak (which didn't seem to do much) as well.

 

what is it this 85% throttling tweak, could you send me a link? I tried the search, no luck..

 

Omg I was wondering what that noise was, and if it was just part of the fan or not. woowww... my ears thank you for fix number one : D, is there any negative aspects of editing the registry and powersettings?

 

:O Your Silencer app works magic! Thank you! Now me and that whining b***h can get along much easier! (no pun intended)

 

I bet that's why I've been having negatively impacted battery life later through method 1. I'll have to try out method 3 when I get home. I'm confused on how a blank noise will fix the issue, won't it also mess up any music or videos you're playing? Or if you say turn off the sound on the computer?

Just a thought.

 

Is this only for CPU whine or does it affect the fan as well?

 

I tried to find the thread myself, to no avail. It's a recent one that I'll summarize below:

Basically, the big problems about the Envy 14 fan is that it runs constantly at a higher speed with more noise and/or cycles loudly. Part of that problem comes from HP's fan settings in conjunction with Intel's TurboBoost for the processor. The fan cycles often in conjunction with the activation of TurboBoost. TurboBoost goes on, the fan cycles to a noisier setting. When your processor doesn't need as much seconds or minutes later, the fan goes back down. This process can repeat over and over again for many people, and all the while with a processor having a higher average processor temperature.

So, the first logical solution would be for HP to release an update that takes care of the fan issue. That hasn't happened since launch either because the fan settings are the best option out of other bad options or because HP doesn't care enough to deal with the problem. The next best option would be to disable TurboBoost. Problem is, we don't have access to TurboBoost settings directly.

A NotebookReview member came up with a workaround to prevent the processor from going using TurboBoost, hence keeping both temps and cycling down for an overall quieter fan. Basically, you set the Maximum Processor State value in your Power Plan to 85% for both the battery and plugged boxes. This essentially throttles your processor to a maximum of 85% of its best speed, and prevents you from passing the break point to activate TurboBoost.

I should note that the word "tweak" in my first post was a bit of a misnomer as you are essentially handicapping your specs by preventing the use of a powerful feature when you need it. The NotebookReview member in question did some analysis and found that the decline on performance wasn't as significant as one may think, but your usage may vary. Personally, I haven't noticed any drops, but I don't play Crysis and run Photoshop at the same time.

 

Some of you are getting off topic here, so let me point out that the solutions described in my very first post here work for the CPU noise only, not for the fan noise. AFIK CPU noise takes place when the CPU is not doing anything really, whereas the fan noise... well

Fix 3 (the Silencer tray app) will not fix the fan noise in any way but for me it fixed the CPU whine very well. And to answer your question: there should be no impact on listening to the music or when you mute.

 

For me, only batch file and disabling CPU idle state make the whining go (Envy 14) I think I prefer a bit of high pitched noise over reduced battery life.