Alienware Aurora R6 clicking noise

Proud new owner of a new Aurora R6.  1 day old.  Never dropped or handled roughly (at least by me, can't speak for FedEx)... and I've got the same intermittent ticking noise others are describing.  I can tell its the same just from peoples descriptions and youtube posts, and mine is definitely coming from the PSU fan as well.

I've opened a support case with Dell.  Will hopefully have a reply soon.

For now... just venting frustration.  

I haven't pulled PSU to see what brand yet... will wait for direction from Dell first, but mine is the 850w with liquid cooling option.

Thanks already for people that have logged their issues and actions taken.  I already have a good idea of what to expect now.

Franklin14525 wrote:

They installed a new power supply and it was delta brand but,  the clicking noise still there.

The rattle noise timing is random and it last for a minute or 3 then it goes away but it always comeback. 

Onsite technician should have verified problem and not just be a "parts changer".
 
Onsite technician should have observed repaired machine, and if sound was still there, take a few minutes to verify what part you needed to request be sent next.

Nice picture. Man, a couple of those are mangled. Like someone touched or scraped them with a tool or something. They should all look like the 2 good ones in the middle. You can't bend the closest one much more before it snaps in half, however the 2 far ones could likely carefully and slightly be reformed. Turn off power before messing with them (they have voltage on them). They should not be touching metal case. 
 
That connector will likely ultimately have to be replaced.
 
Always be sure the side panel is completely in bottom slot first, then panel just closes-up and lays flat against those.

Franklin14525 wrote:

1. It is a delta 850w.

2. I think is the top fan. I think is the top fan but not 100% sure.

3. Computer has a lot of fans, graphic card has a fan, front fan, power supply has  a fan and there is the top fan.  

1. Ok, then I would be surprised if it was responsible for making the noise. Not impossible, but like I said, yours would be the first. 

2. Hmm. So with a Liquid-Cooler, that is the Asetek Cooler's Radiator fan. In Windows (Thermal Controller) we do finally have some control over it. Does changing the speed change the noise?

3. Yep, that's what I've been sayin ... and all are candidates.

If VERY CAREFUL ... you might be able to run computer with power supply swung-out, but I would do the swinging with the power OFF. Also, swing slow and hold top-case so it doesn't flex (my hinge is really tight).

dasen wrote:

1. I haven't pulled PSU to see what brand yet...

2. but mine is the 850w with liquid cooling option.

 

1. You don't need to. You know to request Delta_850w_N1WJD. However, I would take a pic at install time if possible. There is another way to tell them apart from the outside if anyone is interested.

2. Yeah, that is what I got too. I think it's the best config. The Intel-i7 really needs liquid-cooling and that 850 watter will always be runnin cool.

I told him it was still making the noise, but he said he was here only to change the part and I should  call back if there's problems.

report him. it's his damn job to make sure your PC is running. not just swap some parts. it is really unusual for Dell Tech Support. the guy who fixed my PC spend over 2 Hours before he left. he even offered me a System Replacement if i am still not happy.

Hi everyone,

I also had this weird clicking sound problem when I first got my aurora r6 yesterday.

I opened it up to take a look and I found that the wires near the top fan were touching. I moved it so that it wouldn't touch the fan. i turned the PC back on and the clicking noise completely disappeared. I suggest looking inside first to see if anything is touching the fans. 

i have a Super Flower PSU at home with the same Issue. the Fan Cable toucht the Fan Blades. fixed it with superglu.

Yeah, i'm interested in how to tell the PSU from outside without removing it.

That's good it was an easy solution.  The first thing I did was to check for any stray cables/objects that might interfere with fans.  The cables near my top fan were close, but they cleared.  A coil of cables intended for additional hard drives was hanging free near the front fan, but they also cleared.

I was fairly systematic and was able to isolate the noise to the PSU fan in mine, and with a strong LED light verified there are no cables or anything interfering with the fan.  It just rattles.

Here is a pic of the Delta-made 850watt DPN:N1WJD. It's been working 100% perfectly for a month or so.
 
Notice the 2 hex-shaped (non removable) keepers pressed into the frame near the LED and Test Switch.

- On the Huntkey 850w, those are instead simple phillips screws

Notice the obvious large internal parts (ie yellow parts and copper-wound coil)

- On the Huntkey 850w, the internal parts look completely different. My Huntkey definitely had a bad rattling fan bearing.

Should suffice until unit is removed for replacement, and then you can take picture of hidden label.

Thanks!  Ok, so looking at your pic of the Delta-made, I can tell mine is different.  The hex-shape keepers are philips screws on mine, and the internals visible through the grate are completely different.  So it would appear I do NOT have the Delta-made PSU currently.

Dell said they will contact me on Monday.  Man this rattling is annoying... can't wait to get this fixed and all behind me.

Glad to help.
 
Yes, sounds like the dreaded Huntkey.
 
For the long list I saw, there are only two 850watt Power Supplies ... the Huntkey and the Delta. All the others are 460 watt units. The Area51-R2 gets one of these same 850 watters.

It should be noted that when the PSU is in place, the end that lifts up will not sit flush with the metal framing around it. It will be higher than the hinge end by approx. 1/8".