New sound card or fix integrated sound card problems?

projenk

projenk

projenk

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5 Dec 2014
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Hi guys, I always had problems with the integrated sound card of my gigabyte z87.
the main problem is the buzzing of the preamp port, which is better explained here http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?p=27695377#post27695377
Another problem comes from the microphone, anytime I use Skype or teamspeak my friends listening hear like a wind noise coming from my input. Have you got any ideas in how to solve this? If not could you suggest me a decent sound card?
The buzzing problem goes away if I use the normal non preamped port for the headset (kraken pro analog), but the Mic problem stays there. I assume that the Mic problem comes from a software issue, but I can't figure it out, and honestly i am a little annoyed by the creative suite for the sound card. So if you think that I can't get rid of the electromagnetic intereferences I'd like to buy a new card.
 
EMI is something you either pick up or you don't and there's not a lot you can do if you've got it.

As you are already picking it up inside your case I would suggest an external sound card, to further isolate the sensitive circuits from the source of the EMI.

The two obvious examples are the Asus Xonar U5 and U7
 
I have this board,i also was getting some hiss interferance,and it only occured when the GPU was under heavy load. Theres nothing you can do to get rid of it im afraid,although mine really wasnt that big a deal i went and bought an external Asus U7 instead anyway :)
 
So you guys think those two boards should solve the issue? That's quite strange as my internal sound card is emu shielded. Anyway I'll try, if it works with the Asus goog or else I'll try some WMA
 
So you guys think I should pick a u version rather than an internal sound card?
Also because it happens only with the amped Jack port....
If you were to suggest an internal card, which would you? considering that I would like at least same quality as my creative soundblaster integrated
 
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Only part of your sound card is shielded though, the amplifier section is wide open and that's the section you are having trouble with.

Either of the Xonar U cards should sort the problem and give you a nice volume control and headphone socket right on the desktop.

As for internal, the only one I would recommend in your situation is the Asus Xonar Essence STX, which does have good shielding. In fact I used to run mine in the top PCIe x1 slot above the top x16 slot with a piece of cardboard to separate it from the graphics card and it was absolutely silent, though YMMV.

It would also be a step up in sound quality as the STX has a very good DAC and headphone amp. The only downside is cost.

One thing you haven't mentioned is whether you are using a single graphics card or SLI / Crossfire. In a multi-card system EMI is much more common and almost to be expected.
 
I am using a single Msi GTX 970.
I know about the stx, and although I spent lot of money for my rig, I wouldn't spend £150 for a sound card, it it comes to worse I'd use the non amped port and that's it. Seeing overclockers shop I saw the sonar dgx 5.1, and was tempted to try it. What I wanted to know is if the sound quality would be the same as my actual sound card
 
The DGX is probably around the same sound quality as your on-board, maybe a bit less but not much.
 
Well at least I should be able to understand if another sound card gives me same problems, then I can send it back and buy another card. Max I'd like to spend is £50.
 
You didn't mention a budget until now or obviously I wouldn't have suggested expensive cards.

You may be lucky with a DGX but as it has absolutely zero shielding, you also may not :D
 
That's right rids, I never mentioned it. As you seem to know a thing or two would you suggest another sound card for my price range? If not I'll stick with the non amped port.
 
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