Buzzing sound

Gweeps

Gweeps

Gweeps

Associate
Joined
19 Oct 2014
Posts
50
Just finished building my new PC and everything seems to be running great, aside from one particular issue. In the two games I've so far downloaded, ( Initially Battlefield 4, and then Far Cry 3 to see if the issue is on multiple games, which it is ) there is a permanent buzzing sound, and if I tab/turn the game off it is gone again. I suspect it has something to do with drivers, but can't seem to fix it. Does anyone have any clue what to do about it? Thanks
 
Also tried in Terraria now, and there was no buzzing sound, which leads me to assume it only happens in more gpu heavy games.
 
some details of the system you've built might help, ie. how many graphics cards are you using, are you using a sound card or are you using onboard sound?
 
Sounds like the common, GPU chucking out more EMI (electromagnetic interference) when working harder, problem.

Assuming it is that, then nothing you can do without trying a sound card really. Onboard audio generally fares worse than sound cards when it comes to EMI. Sound cards are more resistant, but not impervious to it.

Are you using an analogue headset (3.5mm jacks) or a USB one?
 
^+1

Sadly it seems that as graphics cards get more and more powerful the manufacturers seem to care less and less about the interference they put out.

Options are a well shielded internal sound card or an external USB sound card, nothing else you can do to be honest.
 
The external Xonar U7 will be far less susceptible to EMI from the graphics card, so it would hopefully cure that problem.
 
In my experience i've found that the front panel audio port is always more susceptible to interference than the jack at the back of your pc. If you're using the front one try the back one, if that doesn't help I agree with the others you should get a sound card.
 
I have a similar problem on my Asus Maximus onboard sound - it goes away completely using the ports on the back of the case, but through the front panel it's awful. I've tried a different front panel (one of those combo USB/card reader/audio ones) which helped a tiny bit but still not good. I don't really want to have to go rummaging around the back when I plug the headphones in, and I really like that when they're connected the speakers are automatically muted.

Can anyone suggest a good solution for this? I'd consider a soundcard I suppose if it fixed it - including being able to connect that front panel HD Audio line. But ideally I'd just find a properly shielded connector because otherwise I find the sound I've got perfectly acceptable. Thanks.
 
I solved this on my headphones by plugging the headphone jack into the PC and the USB (for power) into a plug on my extension socket, it appears the USB power cable being plugged in to the ports on the back of the PC was interfering with the sound cable.
 
Ah, my headphones are audio-only so no USB or power involved. I'm starting to wonder if an external card is the only way I'll solve it while keeping things nice and easy to access headphone sockets... seems like an expensive way to solve what I'm sure should be a simple fix!
 
milko said:
Ah, my headphones are audio-only so no USB or power involved. I'm starting to wonder if an external card is the only way I'll solve it while keeping things nice and easy to access headphone sockets... seems like an expensive way to solve what I'm sure should be a simple fix!
Click to expand...

A sound card won't solve the problem, because the problem is not with the onboard audio itself. The problem is the cable connecting to the front audio picking up interference, or possibly a ground loop issue.

A shielded cable may help, but if it's a ground loop problem, that won't make any difference. Trial and error really, you'd have to buy one if you can and see if it makes any difference.

Another option and a better one in my opinion, would be a 3.5mm switch box. This one for example. Have it on your desk. Connect it to directly your motheroard's green audio out using a 3.5mm cable both ends, speakers and headphones in the other two, then just switch between them. If you need to remove the headphones, they will be in a more accessible position.

If you don't need to remove the headphones, and just want to have both headphone and speaker connected without have to swap over, you can just reassign one of the unused audio outputs on the motherboard.
 
Last edited:
Thanks Marsman, that is looking like a pretty fine idea. I've been through two different cables already as I say, so that trial and error is not something I'm keen to continue. But a £9 switch box that solves the problem for sure, I can get behind that!

I suppose the only thing it would not do anymore is the auto-muting that currently happens as I plug and unplug the phones. But if I'm switching between them via that button I don't really need that anymore. Cool! It's actually the way I was going with the USB soundcard idea (moving my headphone connection point out of the case itself) but obviously much cheaper this way.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom