Audio Feedback Solution Recommendation

[Isorikk]

I'm currently having an issue with my current audio setup where I can hear feedback/static through my speakers based on the amount of work my graphics card (GTX 1080Ti) is doing. I know it's my graphics card because when playing demanding games I can hear the static change pitch and volume based on what I'm looking at or doing in game. The static is not audible when I have no games running.

 

I was using the built-in audio on board my X299-Gaming 3 motherboard, but as an attempt to solve this I bought this external USB card. It reduced the noise a little bit but I can still easily hear it when I turn the speakers up more than 35%. Note that the feedback has nothing to do with the audio volume on my computer, only when I turn up the physical volume knob on the speakers themselves. The speakers I'm using are the simple Logitech 5.1 surround sound that doesn't come with any kind of mixer or amplifier. Just the sub that plugs directly into the audio card through green/orange/black 3.5mm audio jacks. 

 

I've read a lot of things about grounding loops, but frankly I don't want to buy a bunch of hardware that I don't need to. Does anyone know a simple solution to this? 

[Himommies]

It might be because your using unshielded /cheap cables 

Try moving your cables while your doing stuff and see if it makes a difference 

[Isorikk]

1 hour ago, Himommies said:

It might be because your using unshielded /cheap cables 

Try moving your cables while your doing stuff and see if it makes a difference 

I tried moving some cables around and plugged the USB into a couple different slots just to check but still the same general static from the speakers. My theory is it has something to do with the power draw of the video card, but I'm running a 850W power supply on a system that probably won't ever go above 450W even at max load so I'm not sure why it would be happening.

[Himommies]

2 minutes ago, Isorikk said:

I tried moving some cables around and plugged the USB into a couple different slots just to check but still the same general static from the speakers. My theory is it has something to do with the power draw of the video card, but I'm running a 850W power supply on a system that probably won't ever go above 450W even at max load so I'm not sure why it would be happening.

Try a different cable altogether if you can,also is this a recent problem or you just got the speakers

[EsaT]

Ground loop/AC noise has fixed frequency:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_hum#Tone

 

EMI from graphics card has nothing to do with adequency of PSU.

It's all about design of graphics card, or lack of EMC considerations in it.

(and reference designs are most likely to pay attention to EMC)

 

With signal wiring going near GPU slot and under graphics card integrated sound cards of motherboard aren't exactly in good position for EMI resistance.

Also that EMI can be present in USB port and unless having proper filtering USB sound card isn't any more safe from it.

[Isorikk]

11 hours ago, Himommies said:

Try a different cable altogether if you can,also is this a recent problem or you just got the speakers

I tried different cables and the hum is still present. Not sure if the other cables I had are any better than the originals, sadly.

 

4 hours ago, EsaT said:

With signal wiring going near GPU slot and under graphics card integrated sound cards of motherboard aren't exactly in good position for EMI resistance.

Also that EMI can be present in USB port and unless having proper filtering USB sound card isn't any more safe from it.

What would you recommend to filter the USB cable? Would a ferrite core filter do anything here? I've tried USB slots on top of the case, not directly integrated into the motherboard. The pins for the extra USB slots aren't anywhere near the PCIe slots, but still on the same motherboard. Does the signal wiring affect the entire board?

 

Edit: I feel I should also mention that the video card is on a riser cable and not directly attached to the board.

[Himommies]

4 minutes ago, Isorikk said:

I tried different cables and the hum is still present. Not sure if the other cables I had are any better than the originals, sadly.

 

What would you recommend to filter the USB cable? Would a ferrite core filter do anything here? I've tried USB slots on top of the case, not directly integrated into the motherboard. The pins for the extra USB slots aren't anywhere near the PCIe slots, but still on the same motherboard. Does the signal wiring affect the entire board?

Try runining it without the GPU,or in a diffrent PCIE slot