Onboard sound/speaker issues

[cvrefugee]

I built my PC back in 2004 and I've been using the onboard sound (Realtek AC'97) since then without any major issues. Well, within the past year or two I noticed that there is something going on with my sound...it's difficult to explain but I'll try anyways.

Issues:
There is a pulsing or humming sound coming from my speakers that corresponds to CPU/HDD activity on my computer. At first it only happened when I scrolled webpages, but now it happens when I minimize/maximize windows, decompress RARs, or go to a website that is CPU intensive (multiple videos, loading of photos, etc.).

Solutions:
When this first began, I found that muting the Line In input solved my problem. But now the sounds have returned and even increased in frequency. If I mute all sound via Windows, the pulsing and humming still occur as long as the speakers remain powered on. I have yet to try another set of speakers, but I doubt they're the problem. I might try hooking my iPod up directly to the speakers to see if they pick up the HDD sounds from that.

So, what should I do? Is it time to buy a sound card? Are my speakers toast? Is my computer just a piece of shit?

[Shawn]

I don't really have any solutions for you, but it seems like it might be a speaker problem. I say this just because I also have an onboard Realtek AC'97 and I often get some weird feedback noises through my speakers. However I've tried my sound card with headphones and other speakers and it's clear.

But the symptoms you describe make it seem as if there's some kind of malfunction or short-circuiting going on with your mobo. So definitely try the iPod thing to determine first if the mobo or your speakers are the cause.

[cvrefugee]

Well, I just tested out my iPod and...IT SOUNDED 100X BETTER! Holy crap, the onboard sound sucks ass. There was no distortion, interference, humming, or pulsing whatsoever. I even left the iPod connected, on pause, and went about my various tasks on the computer. Again, no weird sounds came from the speakers so I think I've ruled them out completely.

Now I have another problem, if my onboard sound is toast, which sound card should I get? It needs to be Vista compatible and I prefer not to install any bloatware apps like Creative software - drivers only.

[MadCow809]

sounds like ur onboard sound card is giving up..

is your CPU overclocked? did you increase voltage on the board?? cos i get the same problem when i use my headphones, i can hear the electric current, making a pulsing sound when i minimize or mouse my mouse around. But for some reason the Logitech Z-2300 doesnt make any weird noise at all, prob it has noise cancellation or some stuff like that.

Anyway, what you need is a new sound card. It will solve all the problem.

this

or

this

and you dont need to install the gay creative program, just the driver will do the job.

[jeffy777]

Every time I've used onboard sound in the past, I've always ran into problems eventually. Usually it's the humming/distortion that you speak of, or crackling sounds here and there.

I took the plunge a few years back and spent a little extra to get a real soundcard, and not only does it prevent the problems mentioned, but it makes everything sound A LOT BETTER.

A lot of people spend some nice money on their PCs, but they skimp and don't buy dedicated sound cards. My advice is to do yourself a favor and invest in a real soundcard.

I recommend a Creative X-Fi. If you pay attention when you're installing Creative cards, you only need the driver. You can avoid all the other bloatware.

[chvvkumar]

Or it might be something related to the SMPS and/or the earthing. Did you try using another SMPS/outlet?

[argatoga]

I agree, get a Creative card. Yes they are evil incarnate, but since the demise of Aural they are the only game in town for respectable sound cards.

[cvrefugee]

Originally Posted by MadCow809

sounds like ur onboard sound card is giving up..

is your CPU overclocked? did you increase voltage on the board?? cos i get the same problem when i use my headphones, i can hear the electric current, making a pulsing sound when i minimize or mouse my mouse around. But for some reason the Logitech Z-2300 doesnt make any weird noise at all, prob it has noise cancellation or some stuff like that.

Anyway, what you need is a new sound card. It will solve all the problem.

this

or

this

and you dont need to install the gay creative program, just the driver will do the job.

No overclocking here. The first card you linked to has a nice price, but why are the reviews so horrible?

[jeffy777]

I have the X-Fi Extreme Gamer and love it. Never had a single problem, and I bought it over a year ago. It's not just for gaming; It sounds great when watching vids, listening to music, etc.

[cvrefugee]

i would prefer to spend the least amount of money as possible, but at the same time i want a high quality product.

[jeffy777]

Well, it's less than $20 more, so it's not that much.

If you are on a tight budget, maybe try google and see if you can find a more reliable review of the X-Fi Xtreme Audio

[MadCow809]

Originally Posted by cvrefugee

No overclocking here. The first card you linked to has a nice price, but why are the reviews so horrible?

I have no idea, but what I can tell you is that I've never had a problem with Creative soundcards. If you dont want to spend a big amount of money on a sound card, then Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE should be your best bet.

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 5.1

or

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1

[matt2000]

I think I can clear this up. You are hearing the pulses around the mobo, but this isn't due to any short-circuiting, it's because the speakers are turned up too loud, and anyone can get these if the turn the speakers up to full.

I suggest you check the volume control, particularly the "wave" setting. Sometimes, particularly with AC'97 cards, the wave setting drops randomly by about 40%. I have this problem and I find myself turning the volume up, then hearing the CPU buzzing when I minimise windows. Wave volume is the setting that controls volume output from the PC, and strangely isn't connected to the master volume like the PC speaker.

Don't buy a new sound card yet, it isn't the problem. The reason it sounds good with headphones is it bypasses the amplifier in the sound card.

[petarkb]

Originally Posted by MadCow809

I have no idea, but what I can tell you is that I've never had a problem with Creative soundcards. If you dont want to spend a big amount of money on a sound card, then Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE should be your best bet.

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 5.1

or

Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1

I have this card.

I haven't had any driver issues with it that I haven't caused myself, thinking that the Audigy SE had the same chipset (CA0106) as a "regular" Audigy (E-MU something or the other).

*doh*

Aaaaand there's the thing with the front speaker output not working properly anymore, but that only appeared after I plugged an oscilating tube amplifier into it. I think it was my fault.

It measures decently. The dynamic range is about ninety-something dB.

So in summary, it's no RME Fireface, but it works fine for what it is.

[cvrefugee]

Originally Posted by matt2000

I think I can clear this up. You are hearing the pulses around the mobo, but this isn't due to any short-circuiting, it's because the speakers are turned up too loud, and anyone can get these if the turn the speakers up to full.

I suggest you check the volume control, particularly the "wave" setting. Sometimes, particularly with AC'97 cards, the wave setting drops randomly by about 40%. I have this problem and I find myself turning the volume up, then hearing the CPU buzzing when I minimise windows. Wave volume is the setting that controls volume output from the PC, and strangely isn't connected to the master volume like the PC speaker.

Don't buy a new sound card yet, it isn't the problem. The reason it sounds good with headphones is it bypasses the amplifier in the sound card.

Dude, my speakers are actually turned down pretty low, at about 1/3 of the total volume. The sound gets worse the higher the speaker volume is set (on the actual speakers). The volume control doesn't make any difference. I can turn it up to full volume, half-volume, or mute it - I still hear the weird noises. Here's a short video that demonstrates the issue:

http://files.phyrefile.com/file/2008/03/13/sounds.avi

It sounds like a freaking Geiger counter when I turn the volume all the way up!

[matt2000]

In that case, I have no idea. Sorry. Thought I had that one sorted.

[cvrefugee]

Originally Posted by matt2000

In that case, I have no idea. Sorry. Thought I had that one sorted.

It's all good. Another reason I think my onboard sound is dying is linked to something that happened to my motherboard about a year ago. Yep, a chunk of my Northbridge chip is missing

[cvrefugee]

Minor update: I browsed the For Sale forum over at Anandtech and found a used Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio 7.1 for $30 shipped. The guy said he will ship it out Monday so we'll see how it goes.