SPDIF static noise with Realtek driver but not with Windows default driver

[Tanaz]

Running a Windows 10 system with ASUS X570 TUF board and today I noticed static coming off of my speakers (Logitech Z906) that are connected via optical cable. I've never noticed that before and I'm 99% sure it appeared out of nowhere today. I was hoping it's not a  hardware issue as I did replace my CPU cooler and I added an SSD today so my first thoughts were that I could've shorted something or damaged the board somehow. Because I've had problems with Realtek drivers before like for example the driver just deciding not to work anymore randomly after a reboot and needeing a reinstall I decided to just uninstall it and see if the windows default driver would have this issue. And the answer is no. No static noise and no issues whatsoever. So my question is - is there any reason whatsoever to use the Realtek driver and am I losing functionality / quality with the Windows default driver because at this point I'm quite fed up with Realtek's buggy software.

[skimmilk5]

The hardware's still the same, so I don't really think you'd be losing any quality. Onboard audio is still onboard audio, and I can't say that even great motherboard audio is that much different than mediocre onboard audio. You won't really see that much of an improvement until you jump up several hundred dollars in dedicated audio hardware, and even then (sorry audiophiles reading this), it doesn't make that much of a difference. You have to have a really discerning ear. Personally, I hate Realtek drivers too and just use what's bundled in Windows.

[Tanaz]

1 minute ago, kimsejin5 said:

The hardware's still the same, so I don't really think you'd be losing any quality. Onboard audio is still onboard audio, and I can't say that even great motherboard audio is that much different than mediocre onboard audio. You won't really see that much of an improvement until you jump up several hundred dollars in dedicated audio hardware, and even then (sorry audiophiles reading this), it doesn't make that much of a difference. You have to have a really discerning ear. Personally, I hate Realtek drivers too and just use what's bundled in Windows.

Yep I figured. Still can use my speakers at 96000hz and I get DTS when I play a 5.1 movie so there doesn't seem to be any loss of functionality. Thanks!