Gigabyte 890gpa-ud3h crackling audio

[wanner]

Im having problems with crackling audio on my Gigabyte Gigabyte 890gpa-ud3h.
I ran DPC Latency Checker and found that sometimes i will have huge spikes



Note that its not just during the huge spikes that the crackling occours.

I have tried various sound drivers, both those that came with the motherboard as well as the latest from gigabyte and the latest from realtek with no luck.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

edit: Im using the internal sound device on the motherboard.

[Dark Mantis]

Well I would try the free things first. Move your mouse if it is USB to another socket. Check your internal wiring and try to move any data cables away from power cables. Check the connnections to your speakers/headphones.
It might be worth checking if you are running the latest BIOS version.
Beyond that you will probably need to purchase a seperate sound card.

[wanner]

I have tried changing USB ports. And I have tried different speakers.

When running EasyTuner6 i get spikes like crazy in DPC Latency Checker. I dont think im running the latest BIOS version.  I am not sure which rev i have. I have tried to find the information by looking at my board but couldnt find it, but I think i have rev 2.0, is there anyway to confirm this?

I ran @BIOS and if i read it correctly i have BIOS version FB?


I tried "Update BIOS from GIGABYTE Server" in @BIOS with no luck (error message: "Can't get "bios.ini" file in selected @BIOS server") so i guess i have to download and update manually from here http://www.gigabyte.com/products/product-page.aspx?pid=3516#dl

My only concern is how do i verify which rev i have?

edit: I consulted my manual which provided excellent information about how to identify motherboard revision. It is indeed REV 2.0.
I will try updating to BIOS FD and see if that helps.

[Dark Mantis]

According to the @BIOS readout it is FB but if you do a BIOS update DO NOT use this program!! Use the Q-Flash by pressing the "End" key when you are booting up. The Windows version is much more likely to brick your motherboard. ALWAYS run BIOS updates from the Q-Flash program. When you are booting you can confirm the BIOS version by looking on the screen as it POSTs. If it goes too quickly for you you can always press pause as it comes up.
You cna see what rev your motherboard is by looking in the bottom left hand corner. It is printed on the board just next to the expansion slots.

[absic]

once again DM got there first but what he says about NOT using the @BIOS utility is spot on. When flashing BIOS always use the QFlash utility as it is a much more reliable method.

[wanner]

Thanks for your replies, i will use QFlash to update my BIOS. However I have one more question:
I downloaded the latest BIOS (FD from the Gigabyte website) and i got an executable, i then got three files. The BIOS file (89GPAD32.FD) and a batch file (autoexec.bat) and an application file (FLASHSPI). I cant run the batch and application file because it says they dont work with 64 bit windows. From consulting my manual it seems all i have to do is place the BIOS file (89GPAD32.FD) on an USB memory and then follow the steps in the manual.

Q1: What is the purpose of the batch file and the application file?

Q2: Do I have to download a specific BIOS version for 64bit? (seems strange so i guess not?).

Thanks.

[Dark Mantis]

Just follow these steps. There is no special BIOS file for 64bit.

The first thing to do is go to the Gigabyte wesite and find the "Support and Downloads" section(http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/support-downloads.aspx).

Select your motherboard and revision number which can be found printed on the bottom left corner of the motherboard. Click on the BIOS tab. This will take you to the BIOS versions download page.The newest BIOS versions are at the top of the page. Click on your region under the Download Here section heading. A box will then pop up asking what you want to do with this file. Click on "save" and note where you are saving it to.

Take a USB pendrive and make sure it is formatted with a FAT32 file system. Unzip the file that you downloaded to the Boot sector of this drive and insert the pendrive into a USB port.

Re-boot.

Press the"End" key as it is POSTing and you will be taken into the BIOS flashing utility "Q-Flash". From there just follow the prompts and DO NOT TURN OFF THE POWER under any circumstances. It will look for the pendrive with the file on it and use that to update the BIOS. Believe me it is not as difficult as it sounds.

[wanner]

The first thing to do is go to the Gigabyte wesite and find the "Support and Downloads" section(http://www.gigabyte.com/support-downloads/support-downloads.aspx).
Select your motherboard and revision number which can be found printed on the bottom left corner of the motherboard. Click on the BIOS tab. This will take you to the BIOS versions download page.The newest BIOS versions are at the top of the page. Click on your region under the Download Here setion heading. A box will then pop up asking what you want to do with this file. Click on "save" and note where you are saving it to.

Take a USB pendrive and make sure it is formatted with a FAT32 file system. Unzip the file that you downloaded to the Boot sector of this drive and insert the pendrive into a USB port.

Re-boot.

Press the"End" key as it is POSTing and you will be taken into the BIOS flashing utility "Q-Flash". From there just follow the prompts and DO NOT TURN OFF THE POWER under any circumstances. It will look for the pendrive with the file on it and use that to update the BIOS. Believe me it is not as difficult as it sounds.

Wow, thanks for the quick response!

I just wondered why there where 3 files in the file i downloaded from gigabyte. I figure I only need the BIOS file and not the batch and application file.

[Dark Mantis]

No you need all three on the drive.

[wanner]

No you need all three on the drive.

All right, and the fact that its complaining about 64 bit windows wont be an issue since im not running it from withing windows?

[Dark Mantis]

Quite right. It doesn't run from within Windows so it doesn't matter.

[wanner]

I updated the BIOS and everything went fine. Havent been able to verify if the crackling is gone but i still receive random spikes in DPC Latency Checker .

[Dark Mantis]

Right well earlier it came up in another thread a similar problem and the OP found that it was his USB3 drivers causing it. As he wasn't even using USB3 he disabled it and all was well again. Worth a try I think.

[wanner]

I just verified that I also get crackling sounds when pluggin in headphones at the front.

[Dark Mantis]

I just verified that I also get crackling sounds when pluggin in headphones at the front.

In that case also check that your PC has good continuity with the earth on your ring main in the house. It could be a static build up.