New soundcard, weird sound distortion

[Octopuss]

So I finally got me the shiny box containing Auzentech X-fi forte.

I was rather disappointed when I realized there is quiet buzz going from the speakers when I either wheel-scroll around a web page or when moving the mouse. I also ran DC++ and the increasing list of hashed files produced this buzz, too!

What could be the problem?

The PC is overclocked with most of onboard stuff disabled. The soundcard is right next to VGA. Could that be the cause? I believe it should not...

[puntoMX]

Sounds like digital interference, mostly on DMA lines. Set spread spectrum on in the BIOS and see if that helps. Due to OCing your chipset could need more voltage too and like you said it's close to the VGA card so give it another position if possible...

[Octopuss]

Hm, the spread spectrum BIOS setting sound familiar, but I don't think I have it.

I will play around with some voltages.

Moved the card one slot away from VGA and it still buzzes

Pehaps it would be better if I could use ballanced cables... But unfortunately I can't. **** cinches.

[CoffeeFiend]

So it wasn't your onboard realtek audio to blame after all. That was rather strange too.

Anyways. The interference is coming from somewhere else, but it's hard to say for sure. So many possibilities...

Could be basically any component in your PC, could be a power problem (e.g. ground loop, sometimes it's the PSU to blame), could be bad filtering, could be your card's line out wires running along another signal picking up interference (e.g. the mouse's), poor shielding throughout, could be so much stuff. And chances are, there's more than one factor involved.

That's part of why I use speaker sets with a spdif or toslink connection (far less messy wiring too). No such problems, and the DACs are removed from that noisy environment too. Guaranteed clean sound.

[Octopuss]

The Realtek thing did not produce any buzzing at all. I must say this card does produce slightly better sound BUT with buzz as a bonus Gah.

I wouldn't find problems around the PSU, it's Enermax Modu82+, 525W top quality stuff.

I think I will save up a little and buy decent amplifier, then connecting it via toslink, and use some "real" cables to connect the speakers. This is SO annoying.

It's almost impossible to test, sadly. No idea where I sent an email to Auzentech though.

[Octopuss]

Small update if anyone is interested.

Auzentech guys suggested to cover the bracket with tape. Not sure if it made any difference, but later I accidentally realized that when I leave the card unscrewed to the case, the buzz is gone (well, almost - see below).

Unfortunately the problem is only half gone. I found out that when I increase the volume in control panel all the way to 100% (anything above roughly 50, basically high values) it is still there. Plus the speakers make constant noise. Question is: is the noise normal? I THINK it is rather normal, because software-pulled up volume doesn't provide much quality.

The buzz worries me more. Apparently there is some kind of grounding problem. How can that happen? See my signature - both the case and PSU are quality components. any ideas what to do or where to look?

[ripken204]

well try covering it in tape then and hope it helps.

auzentech makes some of the best cards in the industry and there really should not be issues with them.

[Octopuss]

I did that! I don't think it helped. What helped at least up to some point was the screw thing.