GPUs causing audio buzzing?

[GrizzlyBear]

So I've noticed this lately when I play games. I have a Creative Sound Blaster Z and Sennheiser HD598 headphones. The more GPU intensive the games are this buzzing/static sound (can't really describe it) seems to be more noticeable, and it's still there even if you mute the sound altogether. This stops once you quit the game and go to main menu or back to windows. The issue remains in both single GPU mode and SLI.

 

My guess it's the GPUs electromagnetic signals (or whatever) messing up with the sound card but wanted to make sure before taking any drastic actions.

 

So what do you think?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Archangel1994]

I had VERY bad buzzing like this as well with onboard (my onboard is pretty buggered), getting the sound blaster z (same as you <3) fixed it, I only hear slight EMI but that's really unavoidable unless you get an external DAC.

[LiamApex]

the gpu could be to close to the spu or the noise could be interference in your cable from the display cables

[Ex0Thermic]

I had a customer who had the same problem when he upgraded his GPU.
we solved the problem buy placing the cards as far apart as possible and using tin-foil (with electrical tape on the edges) to shield the sound card.
the tin foil was placed over the top off the sound card and earth/bounded to the case.

edit: the idea was to create a faraday cage over the top off the sound card to shield it from the graphics card
the cards where placed about 3 PCI slots apart.

[GrizzlyBear]

 

The sound card is right on top of the upper GPU. No other place for it really because of the SLI setup. It would otherwise interfere with the cooling of the cards.

 

 

I had VERY bad buzzing like this as well with onboard (my onboard is pretty buggered), getting the sound blaster z (same as you <3) fixed it, I only hear slight EMI but that's really unavoidable unless you get an external DAC.

 

Yeah. I guess it very much depends on your components how bad the EMI is.

 

EDIT: And how sensitive your headphones are.

[GrizzlyBear]

I had a customer who had the same problem when he upgraded his GPU.

we solved the problem buy placing the cards as far apart as possible and using tin-foil (with electrical tape on the edges) to shield the sound card.

the tin foil was placed over the top off the sound card and earth/bounded to the case.

edit: the idea was to create a fahrenheit cage over the top off the sound card to shield it from the graphics card

the cards where placed about 3 PCI slots apart.

Interesting.

 

But would really like to actually see with my own eyes how this is done. Did you happen to take any pictures?

[Ex0Thermic]

hate to say it but an external usb sound card might be your only option.

[GrizzlyBear]

hate to say it but an external usb sound card might be your only option.

Yeah. Figured as much.

 

It's not really an issue. Was going to get one down the line anyway. Just wanted to make sure the EMI was the source of the problem before making my decision.

 

I'm going to sell the SBZ and get something like an Objective2 amp/dac or Schiit modi + magni.

[Ex0Thermic]

Interesting.

 

But would really like to actually see with my own eyes how this is done. Did you happen to take any pictures?

Sorry I didn't take any pictures.

but I can tell you the customer was not charged for the mod as I was not sure if it would work at the time

but the customer was using a old creative sound card with no shielding.

your card looks like it has a shield off some sort  :huh:

[GrizzlyBear]

Sorry I didn't take any pictures.

but I can tell you the customer was not charged for the mod as I was not sure if it would work at the time

but the customer was using a old creative sound card with no shielding.

your card looks like it has a shield off some sort  :huh:

Not sure if it's an actual "shield". Just something to make the card look cooler.