Never ending static noises (headphones)

[Jestahr]

I've got through about 5 pairs of headphones. All of them are picking up static to varying degrees and in each / both ears.

I think I've isolated the issue to my motherboard, as they all work 10x better on my partners PC. However I don't fancy a complete system overhaul which is what a new mobo will entail. I thought it might of been PSU but I've changed that and it had no effect.

I've tried 3.5mm headsets, USB headsets and wireless headsets and all give annoying statticy noise when no sound is playing and volume is up.

I've decided to settle on Kingston HyperX Cloud headeset as I like it the best, but now I need to resolve this static issue. I tried the bundled USB card that comes with the cloud II's but the usb is actually worse than the 3.5mm.

Should I invest in an internal soundcard will that help? Or are there decent external sound cards under £30?

 

[Rroff]

If its ripple or interference caused by the power circuitry on the motherboard you might get better results using a USB DAC that is self (external filtered DC or battery) rather than bus powered.

Components like resistors in the audio path will all contribute to the noise floor especially on mainstream consumer grade hardware there is going to be some background noise at extreme volume levels - shouldn't get anything of any note under about 66% or so on the windows volume control.

 

[Jestahr]

I was getting a lot of electrical / coil noise when I opened my case. Through process of elimination it appeared to my PSU causing it. However after replacing the PSU some electrical "working" noises are still present, I'm 99% sure it's the mobo as they happen with the GPU disconnected. You can hear the electrical "working" nosies when moving mouse. I assume it's what's causing the issue poor sound quality particularly as high volumes.

It's more noticeable as I have partners PC right next to me and can swap between the two machines and hear night and day difference in terms of that constant statticy noise.

I'm gonna try the Kingstons with a splitter cable and see if I get any benefit in doing so. Will have to think about a decent external DAC I guess, I just hope it doesn't pick up noise via the USB. I'd pref to go the internal card route but I assume that's not gonna yield much if any results.