[magicjames92]

Hi, I've got an issue with my PC sound. It constantly makes a buzzing through either the front or back port. (It's less noticeable on speakers than headphones) When you move the mouse or play a game it gets worse and makes other "electronic" sounding noises. I got some new headphones that I would like to be able to use to play games, so what should I do? Get a sound card? If so, any suggestions which?

Thanks!

[ibfreeekout]

Do you have up-to-date audio drivers?

[Gamma]

I have the same issue and no one has ever been able to fix this. It has to do with grounding issues in cases and audio equipment.

[magicjames92]

ibfreeekout, on 12 May 2011 - 06:12 PM, said:

Do you have up-to-date audio drivers?

I went to Device Manager and it said I do. Is there another way to double check or is that right?

EDIT: I just confirmed on the motherboard site, I do have the latest.

This post has been edited by magicjames92: 12 May 2011 - 06:05 PM

[magicjames92]

gammasts, on 12 May 2011 - 06:41 PM, said:

I have the same issue and no one has ever been able to fix this. It has to do with grounding issues in cases and audio equipment.

Have you tried a dedicated sound card?

[Thunderg0d]

I would check your front-audio connections that go to the mobo to make sure that's not causing the grounding issue.

[magicjames92]

Thunderg0d, on 12 May 2011 - 09:36 PM, said:

I would check your front-audio connections that go to the mobo to make sure that's not causing the grounding issue.

How would I check that? Unplug the front connection and see if the back still has the issue or something?

[Thunderg0d]

Unplug it from the motherboard (assuming this on onboard) and turn it on and see if the back still buzzes.

[magicjames92]

Thunderg0d, on 12 May 2011 - 10:05 PM, said:

Unplug it from the motherboard (assuming this on onboard) and turn it on and see if the back still buzzes.

Unplugging the front panel means the power button won't work, so I can't turn it on.

[ibfreeekout]

magicjames92, on 12 May 2011 - 10:15 PM, said:

Unplugging the front panel means the power button won't work, so I can't turn it on.

No, just unplug the front panel audio, not all of the other connections. It's a cable like this:

[magicjames92]

Ok, that did not fix it.

EDIT- although i'm not sure what the ac97 cable is but it was unplugged to begin with if that makes a difference.

This post has been edited by magicjames92: 12 May 2011 - 09:25 PM

[Thunderg0d]

Well it really depends what setup you're using AC97 is the old formatting (non-HD audio) and HD-audio I think also can play PCM/Dolby over the plug vs having to resort to SPIDF

[Daman]

tbh if you've got decent headphones you should get a soundcard anyways

[Thunderg0d]

Or just get a USB based headphone set and the buzz shouldn't travel thru that

[cyb.tachyon]

magicjames, just kinda like gamma said, it's just an EMI (Electro-magnetic Interference) problem you get with most older (and some newer) card/mobo combinations. While newer soundcards are much better designed and generally receive less EMI from the mobo, there's no guarantee that will fix your problem. Your onboard chip is no different.

Some solutions:
1) Buy a sound card. My uncle (who's a mechanic) built an EMI shield for his soundcard. Time consuming, dangerous (for the mobo and card), and makes it real easy to short something out. But hey, he was bored! I don't recommend it however. You can get a real cheap card from Best Buy ($20) and use it to see if it minimizes the problem before buying a more expensive one from newegg.
2) Get a new mobo. Onboard sound's a lot better these days!
3) My personal solution was to get a USB Headset (I use the Xi-Fi Titanium carrying Creative Sound Blaster headset which you can find on amazon for pretty cheap). Later on when I upgraded my mobo and added in a soundcard, the problem went away, but the headset sounds amazing still and I use it whenever I'm gaming alongside my roomies.