GA-X58A-UD3R (Rev. 2.0) - Realtek Audio Static and Noise Problem

[MingtheMerciless]

Problem:
I am having issues with the on-board audio, where there is intermittent static, that seems to be only present while playing any audio while in Windows - event sounds or WMP, but disappears when using other applications either gaming, or streaming video, like YouTube. As an observation it seems to increase when using peripherals, mouse, keyboard, inputs while in Windows, but that could be subjective. Moreover the static is present both in speakers or when using a headset.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Computer Specifications
Audio Device - ALC889
Speakers - Logitech Z3200

Processor: Intel Core i7-950 @ 4.0 GHz
Video Card: Palit GeForce GTX 460 2GB (SLI 4GB)
Memory: A-Data 12GB (2GBX3) DDR3/1600 MHz
Motherboard: GigaByte GA-X58A-UD3R
PSU: Corsair HX1000W
Hard Drives: 1X1TB SATA III 6.0Gb/s (WD1002FAEX) and 2X1TB SATA II  3.0Gb/s (WD1001FALS)
Case: Azza Hurrican 2000 Full Tower
CPU Cooling: Asetek 570LX Liquid Cooling System w/ 240mm Radiator Push-Pull Configuration
Optical Drive: Lite-On 24x DVD Burner
OS: Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit

Attempted Solutions:
(1) Updated BIOS via QFlash- FC1
(2) Fresh Install of Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit
(2) Updated Realtek ALC889 Driver - High Definition Audio Codec R2.53
(3) Installed Third Party Codec (Cole2k or K-Lite)
(4) Uninstalled All Audio Drivers/Codecs and Reinstalled (Tried w/ and w/out Third Party Codecs)
(5) Ran DPC Latency Diagnostic Program and Shows No Significant Drops (http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml)

[Dark Mantis]

Hi and welcome to the Gigabyte Forum MingtheMerciless. Have no fear Flash is here!

You have checked all the most common causes apart from one and that is the earth/ground connection betweeen the computer and the mains earth. If you have a multimeter you should get a reading of maybe a couple of ohms  maximum between the chassis and the earth pin in the socket. Often it is something as simple as a break in the lead or bad connection.

[MingtheMerciless]

Wow, you're remarkably fast indeed! And thanks for the welcome as well!  

I'll check for proper grounding, something I just completely over looked. But my gut instincts tell me all the connections should be sound, again the static disappears when running applications out of Windows, and is not present when no audio is being played, so its not picking up a reoccurring interference from some electrical-mechanical source. I believe it has to be driver related, but newest drivers offer no joy, I could try combinations of older drivers/BIOs, but doubtful there. Been meaning to get a multimeter for some time, so this seems like a good excuse as any.

[Dark Mantis]

Well if it turns out that it is not the earth then post back and we will look at some other ideas.

[MingtheMerciless]

Well didn't get a chance to get a multimeter yesterday, but attempted the following below, and unfortunately the intermittent static is still present.

Summary of Attempted Solutions:
(1) Updated BIOS - FC1
(2) Fresh Install of Windows 7 Professional 64-Bit
(2) Updated Realtek ALC889 Driver - High Definition Audio Codec R2.53
(3) Installed Third Party Codec (Cole2k or K-Lite)
(4) Uninstalled All Audio Drivers/Codecs and Reinstalled (Tried w/ and w/out Third Party Codecs)
(5) Ran DPC Latency Diagnostic Program and Shows No Significant Drops (DPC Latency Checker)
(6) Disable C1E, Select Balanced Profile (Windows Power Options), Disabled EIST
(7) Disconnected, Redirect or Examine Shielding of Front Panel Audio Cable
(8) Disable Dynamic Energy Software (EasyTune, RivaTurner, etc.)
(9) Update INF Chipset and LAN Driver

I still do need to check for proper ground and visually I did not see any metal-to-metal contact on I/O Rear Panel Shield. And I could also try a sound card opposed to on-board audio, to isolate the issue between software or hardware, but the fact that the static is only present in Windows, but doesn't appear during game play or streaming video online, makes me believe it is some driver or codec conflict.

Any other ideas?

[Dark Mantis]

As you say if it is only present in Windows then it does sound like a software rather then hardware problem I will ask my friend who is Moderator of the AMD section to have a look at your thread as he is a wizard with audio.

He's busy at the moment but I will get him to come over when he can.

After looking at your original post again I think that your best course of action might be to install a discrete sound card but wait until absic has had a chance to have a look.

[absic]

Hi there,

reading through your post I think you have pretty much covered all the bases. The fact that the noise seems to occur only when using Windows apps would point to a problem with the way Windows 7 is handling the sound rather than hardware. I am a firm believer in NOT using the on-board sound because of these kinds of issues and a 3rd party sound card, even one that is under £30 are often better than the on-board Realtec soundchips.

Like DM, I think with your scenario that a discrete soundcard would be the best option but, as with all things computing, there is no guarantee that it will solve the issue, especially if it does turn out to be a Micro***p issue.

[MingtheMerciless]

As you say if it is only present in Windows then it does sound like a software rather then hardware problem I will ask my friend who is Moderator of the AMD section to have a look at your thread as he is a wizard with audio. He's busy at the moment but I will get him to come over when he can. After looking at your original post again I think that your best course of action might be to install a discrete sound card but wait until absic has had a chance to have a look.

Thanks for the help and the referral! 

Hi there,

reading through your post I think you have pretty much covered all the bases. The fact that the noise seems to occur only when using Windows apps would point to a problem with the way Windows 7 is handling the sound rather than hardware. I am a firm believer in NOT using the on-board sound because of these kinds of issues and a 3rd party sound card, even one that is under £30 are often better than the on-board Realtec soundchips.

Like DM, I think with your scenario that a discrete soundcard would be the best option but, as with all things computing, there is no guarantee that it will solve the issue, especially if it does turn out to be a Micro***p issue.

Thanks for responding so promptly, and I agree, I may have to just bite-the-bulllet and get a high def discrete sound card. Will report back if or when the problem changes.

[Dark Mantis]

Yes please do. It is always nice to hear the follow up stories and make sure we were right.

[absic]

Yes please do. It is always nice to hear the follow up stories and make sure we were right.

Or, if we were wrong DM so we don't make the same mistakes again. 

[Dark Mantis]

Mistake...what is this MISTAKE word??

[absic]

Sorry, I meant error not mistake!

[Wonderwrench]

Sorry, I meant error not mistake!

One more thing to check for is the possibility of a driver or program causing excessive DPC latency. You can use this free tool to check  DPC latency.
http://www.thesycon.de/eng/latency_check.shtml
If the DPC latency is high when you play sounds that have static you have a conflict somewhere. Most likely a driver or filter driver. Filter drivers are used by utilities like antivirus and backup programs. What antivirus and backup programs are installed on your PC BTW? If the latency is low all the time the problem is elsewhere. Onboard sound is never perfect. Almost all motherboards I have had or worked on will have a slight noise with high disk or CPU activity but you would never hear it when playing audio. Only in a very quite room with your speakers turned up high. Most people I know claim they can't hear it at all. I must have dog ears? Anyway check it out and report back.  

[Dark Mantis]

(5) Ran DPC Latency Diagnostic Program and Shows No Significant Drops (http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml)

Hi Bill
The OP has already tried that if you check their first post

[Wonderwrench]

(5) Ran DPC Latency Diagnostic Program and Shows No Significant Drops (http://www.thesycon.de/deu/latency_check.shtml)

Hi Bill
The OP has already tried that if you check their first post

Ah missed that one!

Bill