New computer - Cracking/static sound

[Kisen]

Hi all,

 

I have gotten these parts a couple of days ago:

 

Asus Z170-P Motherboard

Intel i7 6700k

G-Skill 4x2GB DDR4 

Raider FSP 750W Silver

 

I installed the parts and the computer works fine generally and games also seem to perform pretty well.

 

However, I have an issue with both the onboard sound and the Asus Xonar DGX sound card.

 

Basically, all sound crackles and pops and gets worse when the CPU usage gets higher and higher. Using Latency Mon, it shows me that some drivers are causing the spike but it seems like all of them cause the issue! Using onboard sound, the issue is much worse as the sound becomes a mess.

 

Sound which comes from the monitor does not cause this.

 

What could be wrong? As I seem to be quite lost in this issue.

 

Thank you!

[dijktech]

Make sure your mobo isn't making false connections. Did you use the mobo standoffs when installing the mobo?

 

if so try to take the mobo out of the case and test it when the system is on the box of the mobo.

Edited January 1, 2016 by dijktech

[Kisen]

Make sure your mobo isn't making false connections. Did you use the mobo standoffs when installing the mobo?

 

if so try to take the mobo out of the case and test it when the system is on the box of the mobo.

Yes, I just checked that the standoffs are installed.

 

My previous motherboard used the exact same case and didn't have any problems.

 

I am worried that I am doing damage to the motherboard.

[Shupey]

I would try taking out the mobo put it on a non conductive surface and see if the issue is still there.

Very easiest thing you can do is check your drivers but I doubt that is the issue. If it is a hardware issue, continuing to run it can actually cause more damage so just be careful.

[Kisen]

I would try taking out the mobo put it on a non conductive surface and see if the issue is still there.

Very easiest thing you can do is check your drivers but I doubt that is the issue. If it is a hardware issue, continuing to run it can actually cause more damage so just be careful.

I have taken it out of the case but the issue still remains....even using only onboard graphics...Only way to get relatively good sound is to use the monitor audio via my GTX 970 so it seems it is motherboard related but I have no clue.

[Shupey]

I would say motherboard related, but it seems odd that it is both your onboard and sound card.

Couple other things you can do to try is an external soundcard or try different speakers.

[Kisen]

I would say motherboard related, but it seems odd that it is both your onboard and sound card.

Couple other things you can do to try is an external soundcard or try different speakers.

Thanks for the reply!

 

I tried using headphones but got the same problem.

 

As for external soundcard, I tried using my monitor's sound (via HDMI) and the distortion disappears.

 

I placed the internal soundcard as far down on the motherboard as possible and it almsot disappeared but some crackles still occur. Placing it above the VGA (and right below the onboard sound chip) results in a lot more distortion.

[Shupey]

Have you tried putting the sound card in another PC and see if the issue remains.

Doesn't make sense to me that it would be the only thing giving you issues if other things are also connected to your PCIE slots.

Perhaps try RMAing the mobo.

[Kisen]

Have you tried putting the sound card in another PC and see if the issue remains.

Doesn't make sense to me that it would be the only thing giving you issues if other things are also connected to your PCIE slots.

Perhaps try RMAing the mobo.

For an update, I purchased an Asus Xonar U3 external sound card via USB but the problem got worse!

 

I think my only option is to use the VGA's sound (which is surprisingly clear!) and may attempt an RMA if I wish to use my sound card.

[Shupey]

I would RMA regardless. If it is a problem with the interference on your mobo, it's very rarely limited to just one issue. It's probably interfering with some other things you're just not noticing.