Need help with buzzing noise

NewBest · July 19, 2016

Hi!

My headphones are picking up some unwanted noise when the computer is idle. I noticed that when I start a game, move the mouse, download something or load an internet page the noise is reduced or even disappears.

My guess would be that this is some sort of interference from the CPU, because I am using on board audio (Motherboard: Gigabyte Z170-D3H , drivers up to date). I tested it an it is not a headphone problem.

I thought that having some apps running in the background to keep the processor busy could fix the problem, but nobody would want to do that :))

Do you have any suggestions other than buying a dedicated sound card? If no, what sound card would you recommend (I spent my money on the headphones, so the budget is quite low :)) ) ?

RGProductions · July 19, 2016

6 minutes ago, NewBest said:

Hi!

My headphones are picking up some unwanted noise when the computer is idle. I noticed that when I start a game, move the mouse, download something or load an internet page the noise is reduced or even disappears.

My guess would be that this is some sort of interference from the CPU, because I am using on board audio (Motherboard: Gigabyte Z170-D3H , drivers up to date). I tested it an it is not a headphone problem.

I thought that having some apps running in the background to keep the processor busy could fix the problem, but nobody would want to do that :))

Do you have any suggestions other than buying a dedicated sound card? If no, what sound card would you recommend (I spent my money on the headphones, so the budget is quite low :)) ) ?

I would recommend an external DAC and amp. here is a good one, but it is $70 https://www.amazon.com/FiiO-E10K-Headphone-Amplifier-Black/dp/B00LP3AMC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468955586&sr=8-1&keywords=

NewBest · July 19, 2016

I am going to need something with microphone support too.

And if it's an external one, a mute switch for the mic would come in handy...

LE: If I plug the headphones in the blue port, the noise disappears, but the bass and volume drops dramatically... Same for the front panel.

Also, if I have anything plugged into the audio jack and turn the volume very high, some of the noise will come back through the microphone channel. That gives me reasons to think there is a problem with my on-board sound card. Does warranty cover this?