2012 iMac (27") noise (especially when scrolling)

[-Crimson-]

I've gotten my iMac 3 weeks ago and im loving it except for this weird noise that I dont know to describe, I can hear it sometimes when its really quiet but it gets very noticeable when I scroll

from what I know:

-Its defiantly not the fan
-Its probably not the cpu (ran some kind of CPU test app I think)

I have an SSD so it probably not it either (SSDs are silent right ?)

 

[Andrew*Debbie]

Could it be coming from the speakers or ??

Do you have a radio nearby? Maybe the radio is picking up signals from the mouse.

 

[-Crimson-]

nope can hear it even when the I mute the sound
and I dont have any radios

 

[myuserid08]

Is it high pitched ?

Probably the GPU - it will work extra hard when scrolling through pages.

 

[-Crimson-]

its not high pitched
and would the GPU work hard when its not a graphic extensive site
because I can hear it on all sites

 

[Hakiroto]

Can you give us a little more than weird noise? Is it comparable to another noise? Some people have reported issues with the latest iMacs where there's a quiet static-type noise coming from the lower corners of the screen. A little more information from you, if it's possible, might help get a better response. I hope it gets sorted, whatever it is.

 

[-Crimson-]

I'd say its close to a quiet static-type noise, also forgot to mention that it gets worse (louder) when I raise the brightness.

 

[AngelGuy7]

I had the exact same problem as you describe. It would almost always happen when I scrolling but also when I was moving windows on the screen. I'm not sure if it's the GPU or the display itself (perhaps when changing the state of the pixels?).

I went through 4 units that had this and image retention issues (and a few other minor issues) before finally giving up and getting a full refund.

It's interesting though, now that I think about it. Some people say that image retention can sometimes be caused by a bad electrical component on the display (I'm not a electrical engineer of any sort so pardon my oversimplification). And the sound that I encountered and you describe certainly sounds electrical in nature (it's almost a soft whine). Perhaps it's not the GPU and it's related to the display?

 

[Hakiroto]

I'd say its close to a quiet static-type noise, also forgot to mention that it gets worse (louder) when I raise the brightness.

If that's the case, have a look at this thread.

 

[Arfdog]

I'd say its close to a quiet static-type noise, also forgot to mention that it gets worse (louder) when I raise the brightness.

It goes away after a while.