Buzzing sound in video games, possible interference from GPU

[yonyz]

Hi,

My speakers produce a constant buzzing sound when I play video games. The sound seems to start when I'm actually in game, not in the menu, which is when the GPU load is significant. When I play R6 Siege, which is the most demanding of the games I currently play, the sound is actually louder.

My dedicated sound card and GPU are very, very close together. Less than 1 cm apart. That's just how motherboards are designed these days, the PCI slots are too close to the GPU slot.

I wonder what can be done to fix this?

Thanks.

 

[RunLuke]

It is probably an issue with interference. My guess is the proximity to the GPU. I'd try the onboard soundcard to see if it's a systemwide issue. Hope you are able to move it further away from the GPU - also, I'm guessing that it's an analog connection from the soundcard?

 

[maddogfargo]

Could be coil Whine. Yes, it can sounds like a buzz sometimes. Make sure vSync is on. This can help.

But if you are certain it is coming from your sound card, then yes I'd say interference or a bad connection. If you have a decent motherboard made in the last 4-5 years you can use the on-board audio. It's actually good quality now. Really no need for a discrete soundcard and this might help reduce the EMI you're experiencing.

 

[yonyz]

The built in sound card doesn't sound as good (but they're kinda close), but I actually use unbalanced cables with balanced outputs. Maybe balanced cables will fix my problem. Gonna try the onboard first, though, before I buy anything.

 

[yonyz]

Onboard doesn't have this issue. I'll get balanced cables for my dedicated sound card. Thank you.

 

[RunLuke]

Happy to help!

 

[yonyz]

OK, I got balanced TRS to XLR cables a few days ago and they made no difference. Since then I have bought Plasma TV which is connected to the GPU via HDMI, and whenever the TV is on, even if it only displays the desktop, the left speaker, which is very close to the TV (almost touching its bezel), makes a quiet but annoying buzzing noise.

Do these speakers have useless interference protection or what?
Or do I need to connect the TV and speakers to different wall sockets?