I hear this strange noise from my PS3 whenever it's folding. It's hard to explain in words the sound...it kinda sounds like the sound effects within the folding program itself (of course I turned off the sound effects and even muted the sound when troubleshooting this noise). The noise starts as soon as the folding starts (when the world map comes up) and ends as soon as I exit the folding program.

Anyone hear this too? I hope it's not a hardware defect.

you can tell it to mute in the folding program. It's the sound of the ocean or some crap.

I hear the same sound when my PS3 is folding. I barely notice it though.

you can tell it to mute in the folding program. It's the sound of the ocean or some crap.
Yep, I already did mute it and I still hear that strange noise...it's definitely coming from the PS3 itself and not from the speakers.

Well, when you start folding the PS3's fan kicks into high gear. Maybe that's what you're hearing.

high whining noise? Fan in high gear.

Anybody hearing noise from the PS3 while folding might have a problem with your PS3. I have been folding since the 23 of march. I am on my 63 work unit. My Ps3 has been on for like 24/7 straight except for a few times when there were some storms. My PS3 has not run hot, and the fans have not kicked into hi-speed. My PS3 is quiet and still running perfect.

You gots to have good ventilation. Also you can not have you house or room running hot..meaing the temp in the house should not be over 80 degrees.

I conclustion i hear no noise but slight fan noise, equivilent to the PS2 slimline fan noise, when folding@home on the PS3 24/7.

http://fah-web.stanford.edu/cgi-bin/main.py?qtype=teampage&teamnum=56396

Agreed. While I don't fold a lot, the fan on my PS3 has not been on high once. It is always quiet and cool to the touch.

I am pretty that the strange noise I hear is not the fan in high mode. Two reasons:
- the strange noise doesn't sound like any fan I've ever heard in my life, and I've played with my fair share of computer fans over the years
- every time I first power on the PS3, the fan runs in high gear for a couple seconds. The strange noise I hear while folding sounds nothing like this.

Fans generally sound like a constant whirr or woosh or rumble or higher-pitched squeal, but this noise I hear while folding is...different. It's hard to describe, but like I mentioned in my original post, it sounds somewhat like the sound effects that play while folding but at a higher tone. It's not too loud either -- about the same volume as the fan running in "normal" mode but at a higher frequency so that's why I can hear it and the fan at the same time.

I am pretty that the strange noise I hear is not the fan in high mode. Two reasons:
- the strange noise doesn't sound like any fan I've ever heard in my life, and I've played with my fair share of computer fans over the years
- every time I first power on the PS3, the fan runs in high gear for a couple seconds. The strange noise I hear while folding sounds nothing like this.

Fans generally sound like a constant whirr or woosh or rumble or higher-pitched squeal, but this noise I hear while folding is...different. It's hard to describe, but like I mentioned in my original post, it sounds somewhat like the sound effects that play while folding but at a higher tone. It's not too loud either -- about the same volume as the fan running in "normal" mode but at a higher frequency so that's why I can hear it and the fan at the same time.

As I stated earlier, I believe I know the sound you are talking about. It isn't very loud, and is only present while folding. I have no problems with my PS3, so it doesn't bother me. I wouldn't worry about it.

You need to keep your PS3 on for at least a week, so it will burn in and if there are any problems exchange the PS3 for a new one. You should not have any sound issues or heating issues with the PS3.