Inductors and transformers of this type rarely go bad. The semiconductors associated with them, however, often (on a relative basis) do.
They can produce audible noise, but it's a reflection of what's driving them. They basically act as audio speakers, for the same reason: the current flowing through the inductor sets up a magnetic field, and stuff vibrates. A change in the character of the sound from what is normally heard is often a useful diagnostic symptom.
In your case, I'd try replacing the ram with a known good module. It could also be the dreaded GPU problem rearing its ugly head.