x220 noise when scrolling on max performance

Hi all, long time lurker, first time poster.

My x220 (i5-2520, 8gb, 250hdd) arrived a few weeks ago and I love the machine. I have noticed something however that I would like some feedback on.

If I have it set to max performance or energy saver then I notice a strange sound every time I scroll through a website. I thought it was the drive caching at first but determined that wasn't it at all. If I set the power mode to maximum battery life then I can scroll without any noise at all.

This makes me think it has to do with the CPU.

Has anyone experienced anything similar with their x220?

 

Probably just another case of CPU whine...

 

Really? That's unfortunate I suppose, is there any way around it?

 

Put the CPU on Turbo mode in Power Manager? Might work.

 

Thanks for the suggestion! I can't really tell if it works though because turbo turns the cpu fan much louder than the whine, lol

 

Are you on battery or AC? If the latter then check whether CPU Deeper Sleep is disabled in Power Manager for your current power plan.

 

Problem solved!

 

I'm on AC, with the battery connected of course. Deeper Sleep is disabled.

lol!@roger

 

Why is disabled better?

 

While it's usually not possible to completely get rid of the noise, disabling the deeper sleep can reduce it a bit. However it should still be enabled for the battery mode since its primary intention is to extend battery life.

 

Yeah after doing some research I have become pretty certain it is the dreaded CPU Whine. Is this a common issue with x220s/core i5s? Is it considered a defect, worth contacting lenovo support about? Does anyone know if its an issue they are actively working on ? I would hate to send this laptop in as its my primray work and school computer!

Cheers

 

Sigh, this issue has been discussed quite a bit here. This particular laptop is very microphonic (wiki it.) It is a NOT a defect, it has to do with the components used in the voltage regulation circuitry.

If the sound is loud enough to hear over the sound of the fan, then I might try and fight for a mobo replacement. I can only hear the microphonics when I place my ear right to the back of the laptop.

Do you have the latest bios? And, are you using the standard 65watt adapter, or a 90watt adapter?

 

Sorry, I really did search for previous threads describing this issue in detail, but coulnd't come up with anything.

Thanks for the info though. The noise is unfortunately loud enough for me to hear in a quiet room when I am working, that's why it's been bothering me.

I'm using the latest bios and standard 65w adapater.

Cheers.

 

I would fight for a replacement mobo or machine then. It really shouldnt be THAT loud.

 

Hi all,

Threads been out for a couple of weeks (months?) but here goes my 2 cents:

I have the Samsung 830 SSD (128 GB) with Ubuntu 11.10 in my X220 (BIOS 1.21) and I am so far very happy with it.

Now that I have put an SSD in my X220, it should be very quiet. However, if I put my ear to the keyboard I can hear a noise very much like the seeking noise of spinning hard drives, only more quiet - it is definitely coming from the area of the SSD and I can sometimes hear the sound while scrolling or moving the mouse, and consistently by running hdparm -t.

Can you guys please listen closely to your mobos and tell me whether they make this sound? I mean it couldn't be the SSD itself? Most reviews say its dead quiet...

(run Crystalmark or some other HD test software if you are using Windows)

What is more, I can hear the processor squealing when doing the same hdparm test - a noise that gets lower and then disappears on the more conservative power schemes (On Demand and Powersave)

Fortunately the processor squealing is not loud enough to be heard other than in the quiet of the night...
By the way, can anyone point me to a Linux processor stress test suite other than superPI so I can test this some more?

Thanks!

-ttb

 

I guess that's just the infamous "cpu whine" noise.. nothing to worry about actually.

 

I wouldn't.

The whine is present on almost every SpeedStep-capable machine I've ever used. I know this because I am young enough, and have sensitive-enough hearing to notice it.

Once you hit about 30 or so, it's pretty unlikely that you'll be able to hear it. People's ultra-high range tends to taper off as they age, which explains why two people can use the same laptop and one may be irritated by the noise while the other is oblivious.

 

Come on.. I'm 30 years old and perfectly fine hear even that low pitched noise and everything else, so that primarily depends on your health conditions rather than the age.. just stay in good shape (i.e. active lifestyle) and everything will be fine.

 

Active lifestyle has nothing to do with it.

Yes, there are exceptions, but by and large, your ability to hear the higher frequencies wanes with age. Repeated exposure to noise also plays a part, so yes -- if you're older you might stand a better change of preserving your sensitivity to higher frequencies if you've avoided loud noises, rock concerts, etc.

Personally, I'm bothered by the flyback whine in some CRTs. But some of my older friends and family have no idea what I'm talking about when I point it out. I've seen the same thing for the CPU whine that is (or seems to be) increasingly common, starting with the Core Duo line.

 

Sure thing - I agree with you.. my point was just about taking care of your health whenever possible to reduce / postpone the impact of environmental issues but yes it's just a matter of time (and we all will die eventually).

 

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, I am quite certain the CPU whine is nothing to worry about.

However,
Could I ask you, please, to make very sure there is absolutely no sound coming from the area to the right of the red trackpad joystick?

Please understand that you must listen for this in the dead quiet of night or in a really quiet cellar or library. Else you won't hear it. I cannot hear it when I am at work and the room is completely silent otherwise.

I sorely need to find out if there is something fishy with my system.

Thanks very much!

EDIT: I've had one person confirm the sounds I am talking about on the thinkpad-forums.
Anyone else?

 

I have a noise that sounds like what the op was describing on my x220. It sounds like quiet hard drive grind and occurs during scrolling.

It goes away if I run on battery in power save scheme. It is either coming from the left speaker or maybe something behind it. I'm guessing the wiring/circuit for that speaker is near something that is inducing noise, because it remains constant whether the speakers are muted or set to full volume.