Lowell Wood has launched the Coil Whine Database, a crowdsourced repository that scores PC components on audible vibration noise from current-carrying inductors. The 0-to-4 scale is specific: 0 means inaudible in a quiet room, 2 means audible under load at a desk, 4 means audible at idle. The database currently holds one entry, Wood's own ROG Astral RTX 5080.
The methodology is worth reading in detail. No component gets a public listing until it accumulates at least 5 reports, controlling for sample variance across a production population. Silent-unit reports are weighted higher to counteract selection bias, since satisfied users rarely seek out noise complaint databases. Submissions go through a structured GitHub issue form, and all project files are public.
The target audience is clear: PC builders chasing silent systems who currently rely on forum hearsay. The database is empty enough now that early submissions will shape its baseline. If coil whine has ever cost you a GPU return or a sleepless troubleshooting session, this is the project to watch and feed data into.
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