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Static audio popping with on-board sound. Looking for a sound card.

AzureProwerAzurePrower Member UncommonPosts: 1,550
in Hardware

So I have this issue where I'm playing a graphically intense game the sound starts to constantly pop static. It does it with headphones that use jacks and headphones that use USB ports.

Seems cleaning out the case of dust and such temporarily eased the problem. How ever the sound popping soon returned after about 10 minutes of game play.

I'm assuming it has to do with the on-board sound going on the way out.

So trying to get a sound card to see if that fixes the issue.

Any one know any decent sound cards from this list here?

http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=211&vk_sort=4

-Azure Prower
http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower

Comments

  • CleffyCleffy Member RarePosts: 6,414

    From my experience with static and popping noises, it has to do with USB devices connected to the system. It might also be dust in the USB ports. Whenever I plug in my external HDD, I always get a noise on my headphones. It could also be other components not linked to the sound card having issues.

    The chances are very nil the issue is the sound card. I've yet to experience the soundcard going out on me since they are relatively simple devices and have not advanced far in the last decade. Drivers are just about the only maintenance I see useful for the sound card.

  • AzureProwerAzurePrower Member UncommonPosts: 1,550

    Originally posted by Cleffy
    From my experience with static and popping noises, it has to do with USB devices connected to the system. It might also be dust in the USB ports. Whenever I plug in my external HDD, I always get a noise on my headphones. It could also be other components not linked to the sound card having issues.The chances are very nil the issue is the sound card. I've yet to experience the soundcard going out on me since they are relatively simple devices and have not advanced far in the last decade. Drivers are just about the only maintenance I see useful for the sound card.

    USB devices connected to it doesn't seem to be the problem.

    -Azure Prower
    http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower

  • KremchekKremchek Member Posts: 49
    Originally posted by AzurePrower

    My onboard sound doesn't work. I have a USB Soundcard and love it. When they start to go out, they give a popping noise in your headphones. The only time I have ever heard that sound is when my USB soundcard was going out. It might be that one of your USB devices... keyboard, mouse, etc., is going out. Might be smart to guess and check before buying a new soundcard. Also, USB Soundcards do the trick for about $25 bucks... they last about two years or so unless you're rough on it...(always pulling with your headphones). Just my two cents. Hope its a less expensive endeavor for you.

    Originally posted by Cleffy
    From my experience with static and popping noises, it has to do with USB devices connected to the system. It might also be dust in the USB ports. Whenever I plug in my external HDD, I always get a noise on my headphones. It could also be other components not linked to the sound card having issues.

     

    The chances are very nil the issue is the sound card. I've yet to experience the soundcard going out on me since they are relatively simple devices and have not advanced far in the last decade. Drivers are just about the only maintenance I see useful for the sound card.

     

    USB devices connected to it doesn't seem to be the problem.

     

  • KremchekKremchek Member Posts: 49
    Originally posted by Kremchek
    Originally posted by AzurePrower

    My onboard sound doesn't work. I have a USB Soundcard and love it. When they start to go out, they give a popping noise in your headphones. The only time I have ever heard that sound is when my USB soundcard was going out. It might be that one of your USB devices... keyboard, mouse, etc., is going out. Might be smart to guess and check before buying a new soundcard. Also, USB Soundcards do the trick for about $25 bucks... they last about two years or so unless you're rough on it...(always pulling with your headphones). Just my two cents. Hope its a less expensive endeavor for you.

    Originally posted by Cleffy
    From my experience with static and popping noises, it has to do with USB devices connected to the system. It might also be dust in the USB ports. Whenever I plug in my external HDD, I always get a noise on my headphones. It could also be other components not linked to the sound card having issues.

     

    The chances are very nil the issue is the sound card. I've yet to experience the soundcard going out on me since they are relatively simple devices and have not advanced far in the last decade. Drivers are just about the only maintenance I see useful for the sound card.

     

    USB devices connected to it doesn't seem to be the problem.

    idk what happened there ^^

  • AzureProwerAzurePrower Member UncommonPosts: 1,550

    Originally posted by Kremchek
    Originally posted by Kremchek Originally posted by AzurePrower My onboard sound doesn't work. I have a USB Soundcard and love it. When they start to go out, they give a popping noise in your headphones. The only time I have ever heard that sound is when my USB soundcard was going out. It might be that one of your USB devices... keyboard, mouse, etc., is going out. Might be smart to guess and check before buying a new soundcard. Also, USB Soundcards do the trick for about $25 bucks... they last about two years or so unless you're rough on it...(always pulling with your headphones). Just my two cents. Hope its a less expensive endeavor for you. Originally posted by Cleffy From my experience with static and popping noises, it has to do with USB devices connected to the system. It might also be dust in the USB ports. Whenever I plug in my external HDD, I always get a noise on my headphones. It could also be other components not linked to the sound card having issues.   The chances are very nil the issue is the sound card. I've yet to experience the soundcard going out on me since they are relatively simple devices and have not advanced far in the last decade. Drivers are just about the only maintenance I see useful for the sound card.
      USB devices connected to it doesn't seem to be the problem.
    idk what happened there ^^

    May not fix the problem. But I need one any way and it'll help me narrow down what is causing it.

    On my USB Logitech G36 headset. The popping persists. So I'm looking for a sound card that is PCI-E that slots into the box itself.

    -Azure Prower
    http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower

  • KazuhiroKazuhiro Member UncommonPosts: 608

    Whatever you do avoid "ALL" soundblaster cards. They have some of the worst support and drivers that exist anywhere. I have a one year old $120 paperweight soundblaster card because the company was too lazy to make a 64bit driver, and claimed they only support a card for 6months before abandoning all support for them.

    Just avoid their awful hardware.

    To find an intelligent person in a PUG is not that rare, but to find a PUG made up of "all" intelligent people is one of the rarest phenomenons in the known universe.

  • skeaserskeaser Member RarePosts: 4,222

    Right click your volume icon in the system tray.

    Click "Playback Devices"

    Right click your output device and select "Properties"

    On the "Advanced" tab what is your "Default Format" drop down currently on?

    Sig so that badges don't eat my posts.


  • AzureProwerAzurePrower Member UncommonPosts: 1,550

    Originally posted by skeaser
    Right click your volume icon in the system tray.Click "Playback Devices"Right click your output device and select "Properties"On the "Advanced" tab what is your "Default Format" drop down currently on?

    24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality)

    -Azure Prower
    http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower

  • skeaserskeaser Member RarePosts: 4,222
    Originally posted by AzurePrower

     

    Originally posted by skeaser
    Right click your volume icon in the system tray.

     

    Click "Playback Devices"

    Right click your output device and select "Properties"

    On the "Advanced" tab what is your "Default Format" drop down currently on?

     

    24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality)

    Try kicking it down to 44100 Hz (Studio Quality). I don't think 48000 is too high but some games/software are nitpicky about the settings.

    Sig so that badges don't eat my posts.


  • syntax42syntax42 Member UncommonPosts: 1,385
    Originally posted by Kazuhiro

    Whatever you do avoid "ALL" soundblaster cards. They have some of the worst support and drivers that exist anywhere. I have a one year old $120 paperweight soundblaster card because the company was too lazy to make a 64bit driver, and claimed they only support a card for 6months before abandoning all support for them.

    Just avoid their awful hardware.

    I can back up this statement.  Creative Labs used to be the best, but now they are junk.  My last Creative Labs sound card was purchased about six months after Vista was released.  They refused to make a driver for it and censored all posts related to support.  Companies have access to operating systems far ahead of release so they can make drivers and update their software, but Creative Labs has gone down in quality too much.

     

    If you are getting pops on both USB and analog audio, that doesn't make much sense.  The onboard sound card with the round jack on the motherboard produces analog audio.  The USB ports produce a digital signal which is converted to audio by the headphones.  Neither of the systems share any components in common which would cause popping from faulty hardware.  This leads me to believe you have a software issue with Windows audio or the game itself.

    Does it happen with all games, or just certain ones?  

    Logitech USB headsets don't like USB 3.0 ports or external hubs.  Are you plugged directly into the motherboard and in a 2.0 port when you use the USB headset?

  • RidelynnRidelynn Member EpicPosts: 7,383

    Also one thing to keep in mind

    USB devices (like headphones) don't go through your sound card. They each have their own audio drivers.

    So if the sound is popping in every device, including USB headphones, it's probably not your on board sound.

    I would guess that it's probably power related since it only happens under stress; and that kinda points to either your motherboard or maybe power supply just getting old and starting to glitch.

  • iJustWantiJustWant Member Posts: 81
    Originally posted by syntax42
    Originally posted by Kazuhiro

    Whatever you do avoid "ALL" soundblaster cards. They have some of the worst support and drivers that exist anywhere. I have a one year old $120 paperweight soundblaster card because the company was too lazy to make a 64bit driver, and claimed they only support a card for 6months before abandoning all support for them.

    Just avoid their awful hardware.

    I can back up this statement.  Creative Labs used to be the best, but now they are junk.  My last Creative Labs sound card was purchased about six months after Vista was released.  They refused to make a driver for it and censored all posts related to support.  Companies have access to operating systems far ahead of release so they can make drivers and update their software, but Creative Labs has gone down in quality too much.

     

    If you are getting pops on both USB and analog audio, that doesn't make much sense.  The onboard sound card with the round jack on the motherboard produces analog audio.  The USB ports produce a digital signal which is converted to audio by the headphones.  Neither of the systems share any components in common which would cause popping from faulty hardware.  This leads me to believe you have a software issue with Windows audio or the game itself.

    Does it happen with all games, or just certain ones?  

    Logitech USB headsets don't like USB 3.0 ports or external hubs.  Are you plugged directly into the motherboard and in a 2.0 port when you use the USB headset?

    Vista was mistake. Many vendors decided to not waste time making their stuff work on Vista.

    Personally, I've had the same SB card for 7-8 years now. Worked on XP, failed on Vista, still works on Windows7.

     

    To stay on topic - I've had trouble with headsets using USB hubs, but usually no trouble plugging directly into the USB port. I had a system that came with a built in hub, and boasted that the hardware supported 4 USB "slots"; I discovered there were 2 USB ports in the back, and the other 2 in the front were part of the hub. In this scenario, plugging my headset into the hub never worked, I had to plug the headset into the ports in the back.

    image
  • AzureProwerAzurePrower Member UncommonPosts: 1,550

    Originally posted by skeaser
    Originally posted by AzurePrower   Originally posted by skeaser Right click your volume icon in the system tray.   Click "Playback Devices" Right click your output device and select "Properties" On the "Advanced" tab what is your "Default Format" drop down currently on?
      24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality)
    Try kicking it down to 44100 Hz (Studio Quality). I don't think 48000 is too high but some games/software are nitpicky about the settings.

    Nope, did not fix the issue.

    -Azure Prower
    http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower

  • AzureProwerAzurePrower Member UncommonPosts: 1,550

    Originally posted by syntax42
    Originally posted by Kazuhiro Whatever you do avoid "ALL" soundblaster cards. They have some of the worst support and drivers that exist anywhere. I have a one year old $120 paperweight soundblaster card because the company was too lazy to make a 64bit driver, and claimed they only support a card for 6months before abandoning all support for them. Just avoid their awful hardware.

    Does it happen with all games, or just certain ones?  

    Logitech USB headsets don't like USB 3.0 ports or external hubs.  Are you plugged directly into the motherboard and in a 2.0 port when you use the USB headset?

    All games and yes, into a 2.0 port.

    -Azure Prower
    http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower

  • AzureProwerAzurePrower Member UncommonPosts: 1,550

    Originally posted by Ridelynn
    Also one thing to keep in mindUSB devices (like headphones) don't go through your sound card. They each have their own audio drivers.So if the sound is popping in every device, including USB headphones, it's probably not your on board sound.I would guess that it's probably power related since it only happens under stress; and that kinda points to either your motherboard or maybe power supply just getting old and starting to glitch.

    Power supply is 1000W and have had it for like 3 years.

    -Azure Prower
    http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower

  • miguksarammiguksaram Member UncommonPosts: 835
    Can you give the exact make and model of your psu? 1000 watt psu doesn't actually tell us much believe it or not.
  • AzureProwerAzurePrower Member UncommonPosts: 1,550

    Originally posted by miguksaram
    Can you give the exact make and model of your psu? 1000 watt psu doesn't actually tell us much believe it or not.

    Antec TruePower Quattro TPQ-1000 1000W

    -Azure Prower
    http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower

  • syntax42syntax42 Member UncommonPosts: 1,385

    The only common components which could possibly cause popping at this point are the motherboard, power supply, and Windows.  If you don't have spare hardware to test with, your only option might be to try a different copy of Windows.  If you have an older version of Windows you can put on a spare hard drive, I would try that before completely reinstalling your OS.  Even if you could try Ubuntu or some of Linux-based OS on a spare hard drive, that could narrow it down to a motherboard or power supply issue.

    Also, check all of your power connections, especially the motherboard connector.

  • AzureProwerAzurePrower Member UncommonPosts: 1,550

    Doubt it would be windows. I suspect it is hardware related.

    My PC has gone through some overclocking and heat related issues where my CPU had to automatically reduce voltage during the summer heat a couple times. Though the sound popping issues didn't occur until much later.

    Perhaps that might be the cause of it and the MB/CPU is damaged?

    -Azure Prower
    http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower

  • WraivenWraiven Member Posts: 1
    Originally posted by AzurePrower

     

    Originally posted by skeaser
    Originally posted by AzurePrower  
    Originally posted by skeaser Right click your volume icon in the system tray.   Click "Playback Devices" Right click your output device and select "Properties" On the "Advanced" tab what is your "Default Format" drop down currently on?
      24 bit, 48000 Hz (Studio Quality)
    Try kicking it down to 44100 Hz (Studio Quality). I don't think 48000 is too high but some games/software are nitpicky about the settings.

     

    Nope, did not fix the issue.

    Man, I hate to hear that, her suggestion worked like a charm for me. Was playing Champions Online, suddenly I had to reinstall my drivers for my sound card. After I did, I started getting that static popping sound...very random, but quite often...was creepy sounding really....her suggestion fixed my issue...no popping what so ever. Thanks Skeaser!

  • CleffyCleffy Member RarePosts: 6,414
    Second thing I would check is the ground. Poor grounding is also something that will cause static noises. If you have another PC or a laptop, plug it into the same electrical outlet and see if you still get static and popping.
  • RidelynnRidelynn Member EpicPosts: 7,383

    Resurrected thread, and some of you had even posted originally.

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